Hey Lorri

The Affair A Reacher Novel

2012-02-01T21:20:00.001-05:00

The Affair by Lee Child
{Hardcover, 405 Pages, Fiction/Thriller, September 2011}

Publisher's Synopsis:
Everything starts somewhere...

For elite military cop Jack Reacher, that somewhere was Carter Crossing, Mississippi, way back in 1997. A lonely railroad track. A Crime scene. A cover-up.

A young woman is dead, and solid evidence points to a soldier at a nearby military base. But that soldier has powerful friends in Washington.

Reacher is ordered undercover--to find out everything he can, to control the local police, and then to vanish. Reacher is a good soldier. But when he gets to Carter Crossing, he finds layers no one saw coming, and the investigation spins out of control.

Local sheriff Elizabeth Deveraux has a thirst for justice--and an appetite for secrets. Uncertain they can trust each other, Reacher and Deveraux reluctantly join forces. Reacher works to uncover the truth, while others try to bury it forever. The conspiracy threatens to shatter his faith in his mission, and turn him into a man to be feared.

Lee Child is the author of sixteen Jack Reacher thrillers. All titles have been optioned for major motion pictures. A native of England and a former television director, he now lives in New York City. You can find him online at www.leechild.com.

My Thoughts:
For anyone interested in mystery/thrillers, you will enjoy this book! Jack Reacher is sent to Mississippi to keep things 'under control', told that the Army is not involved. He hitch hikes his way down there, long hair and unshaven, to try to fit in, but the sheriff pegs him as soon as she has seen him. Neither one trusts the other, but find that working together may be the only way to find out who is killing women. As the investigation progresses, Jack finds that the sheriff may be involved. Several more people are killed before the truth comes out. I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: I purchased this book myself and was not compensated in any way for my review.

Nature Trackers Club & Murals Your Way Giveaway

2012-01-31T22:19:00.002-05:00

If you are a parent then you are probably familiar with the PBS show Dinosaur Train, with the cute little dinosaurs; Buddy, Shiny, Tiny and Don. It not only teaches and entertains kids, but encourages them to go outside and be active. Last November, they started showing Nature Trackers Club episodes that showed children ways to discover and interact with nature. Now you can join the fun online!

You can download monthly nature related activities to do with your children and even win prizes. It's free to sign up and includes a downloadable Guide Book to get you started on your adventures. By completing all four challenges you can get a Nature Trackers Club token by mailing in the membership form that is included in the Guide Book.

To show your/your child's love of Dinosaur Train, you can decorate your children's room with cute murals from Murals Your Way. There are fifteen to choose from and come in several sizes to fit your wall, with prices ranging from $157.07 to $703.92 for the biggest. I like the 'Don, Shiny, Buddy and Tiny' one the best. They look cute sitting together in the nest. Made of vinyl material that won't damage walls!

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a Dinosaur Train Mural of their choice- includes choice of size and names if you want it personalized}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
2) It is that easy!
♥Read More♥

Free Samples of Purex!

2012-01-30T13:07:00.001-05:00

Starting today you can get a FREE sample of Purex through the 'Prove it to Yourself' campaign! You can choose between the NEW Purex Triple Action liquid detergent or the Purex Ultra Packs laundry detergent (which won't be available for another few weeks--so keep checking). To get your sample, just click on the Purex badge below.

Please note: You can only request ONE SAMPLE PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Snow Child Book Giveaway

2012-01-30T12:44:00.000-05:00

A must read book for 2012 from first time author Eowyn Ivey, The Snow Child will be available for purchase on February 1, 2012. It is a 400 page work of fiction in hardcover format that will retail for $24.99. Here is the publisher's synopsis and author info:

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart--he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone--but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.

This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

Eowyn LeMay Ivey was raised in Alaska and continues to live there with her husband and two daughters. She received her BA in journalism and minor in creative writing through the honors program at Western Washington University, studied creative nonfiction at the University of Alaska Anchorage graduate program, and worked for nearly 10 years as an award-winning reporter at the Frontiersman newspaper. This is her first novel.

{GIVEAWAY--Three people will WIN a copy of The Snow Child}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
2) It is that easy!
♥Read More♥

Twitter Chat With Marvel Studios Sponsors

2012-01-28T14:06:00.001-05:00

Marvel Studios announced today that they will be sponsoring a Global Twitter Chat on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11 a.m. (PST) with cast members and the director of their highly anticipated action-adventure “Marvel’s The Avengers,” opening in theaters on May 4, 2012. The 30-minute live tweeting event features writer/director Joss Whedon and cast members Tom Hiddleston and Clark Gregg.

Fans around the world will be able to participate in the Q&A on Twitter by using the @Avengers handle and the #Avengers hashtag. Participating fans will have the opportunity to see a 10-second tease of the 30-second Super Bowl spot that will air during Super Bowl XLVI on February 5 on NBC. They will also have a chance to answer “Avengers” trivia for a chance to win “Avengers” prize packs.

International fans will be able to submit questions for the talent in their native language through a global translation tool provided by Ortsbo.com. The chat will be moderated by Marvel’s @Agent_M.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, NickFury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert DowneyJr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, JeremyRenner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson, and written and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Follow @Avengers on Twitter for more details.

Disclaimer: This is a news post from Walt Disney Studios.

Retiree Squashes Competition in Recipe Challenge

2012-01-27T22:17:00.000-05:00

Retiree Squashes the Competition in Recipe Challenge

Curried Butternut Squash Dip to Join Dave’s Gourmet Lineup

A retired recipe developer who never stopped playing with her food won the national Dave’s Gourmet Recipe Challenge and a potential $1 million in royalties.

Pat Dugan’s Curried Butternut Squash Dip was among the finalists sampled by about 400 food professionals at the Winter Fancy Food Show, Jan. 15-17 in San Francisco, said Dave Hirschkop, owner of Dave’s Gourmet (www.davesgourmet.com), which produces award-winning hot sauces, pasta sauces, salsas and dips.

“It was clear cut who the winner was,” Hirschkop said of the foodies’ votes. “It’s a very tasty dip, an unusual combination of flavors with a little kick.”

Dugan, 66, got an immediate $2,000 advance on the royalties to be paid when her creation becomes part of the Dave Gourmet line-up later this year. Distribution might be limited, Hirschkop said, because the dip requires store refrigeration, unlike his other products.

That doesn’t bother the former newspaper food columnist who worked as a chef and recipe developer for Corning Inc., the company best known for Pyrex casserole dishes. (It now manufactures glass and ceramics for high-tech applications.)

“I love, love, love butternut squash,” said Dugan, who teaches cooking and recipe development, and plans to publish a cookbook, “VeggieTizers,” featuring her creations.

“It’s available ‘most all over the United States; home gardeners can grow it; it’s affordable. It’s low in calories, high in fiber; it has vitamins B and A, beta keratin, and it has a lovely taste.”

Dugan puts butternut squash in macaroni and cheese, chili stew and on pizza, the recipe for which came with a jar of Dugan’s favorite Dave’s Gourmet product: Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce. It’s also his best seller.

She had already developed her Curried Butternut Squash Recipe, and got raves from her chief critic, husband Roy Ernst, when she learned of Dave’s contest.

“I started going through my A-to-Z files of recipes,” she said. “I came to an Artichoke Roasted Red Pepper Salsa that could be a replacement for tomato salsa. Then I got to the end of the B’s and I found this recipe that we loved.

“When I made it, I stirred in some Greek yogurt because we live (most of the year) in Tarpon Springs, Fla., which is a Greek town. And I used Dave’s chipotle powder sauce, so it has a little zip in there."

She submitted both recipes.

Though this is Dugan’s eighth contest win since she retired in 2002, the thrill never gets old, she said.

“It’s exciting. This is a passion for me; a creative outlet.”

Hirschkop says recipe contests will become either an annual event for his company or an on-going 'cash bounty' opportunity. His business is all about innovation and great flavor, and the best place to find both, he said, is in America’s kitchens.

'We have thousands of great cooks out there who can come up with some incredible dishes.'

About Dave’s Gourmet

San Francisco-based Dave’s Gourmet was founded by Dave Hirschkop. After graduating from Boston University in the 1980s, he opened a mom-and-pop restaurant called Burrito Madness. There, he began experimenting with hot sauces and later moved into pasta sauces. He started Dave’s Gourmet 18 years ago, and has products in major retailers including Safeway, Williams-Sonoma, Whole Foods and Costco.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.

Get Your Pillsbury Coupon

2012-01-24T21:54:00.003-05:00

You can get a $1.10 off when you buy 3 of any size/variety of Pillsbury Grands, Crescents, Ready to Bake Cookies, Sweet Rolls, or Grands Sweet Rolls! Get your coupon now before they are gone! While you are there, you should check out all the recipes. YUM!

Disclaimer: This post was written for Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark who provided the complimentary information in exchange for my honest opinions.

Very Short Stories

2012-01-23T22:51:00.001-05:00

Very Short Stories: 300 Bite-Size Works of Fiction by Sean Hill

{Paperback, Fiction, 208 Pages, $14.95, December 2011}

Publisher's Synopsis:
In this one-of-a-kind collection, the author has crafted hundreds of engaging stories that conjure an entire novel in just a sentence or two. Sometimes sad, often humorous and always creative, these tales touch on a wide range of life experiences from romance and family to death and sex.

Sean Hill combined his love of writing and technology by creating @VeryShortStory, a Twitter feed where he interacts with his readers and shares his 140-character stories. When not writing fiction, he does copywriting services and consults for clients. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife and four children. You can find him online at www.seanhill.com.

My Thoughts:
All the little 'stories' in this book remind me of the quotes you often find in Reader's Digest and other magazines. Only a few sentences each and categorized in seven sections, you can pick and choose what you want to read at any particular time. I enjoyed this one; 'Perfect for each other, they lived a block apart, but would never meet. They lived in different worlds. His was Facebook, hers was Twitter.' It's a fun read, perfect for when you are waiting in a doctor's office, etc and want to read something quick. I Rated This Book: 3.5/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Progresso Souper You & Giveaway

2012-01-22T17:29:00.000-05:00

The Progresso Souper You contest is back, giving you a chance to win a makeover this spring in Hollywood! All you have to do is submit a photo of yourself and write a brief essay telling Progresso why you deserve the makeover and what you like about their soup by February 22, 2012.

There will be three winners who will get a trip for two to Los Angeles California and a makeover from head to toe, along with a guided shopping trip for $1,000, $1,000 spending cash and two tickets to the season finale of NBC's The Biggest Loser. On March 12th they will announce the top ten finalists, which you can then vote on until it closes on March 25th. You can watch the 2011 winner here.

The Biggest Loser has been on air for several years now, but I have only watched it a few times when it first started. I know they have changed things a lot since then, but MH doesn't like to watch those kind of shows so I never know what's going on. I do read about it occasionally online to see who the newest people are and how they are doing. The show airs on NBC Tuesday nights at 8/7c.

Did you know Progresso has 40 different flavors of soup that only have 100 calories or less per serving? They are made with good ingredients like beans and other vegetables, meat and pasta. Sometimes I make soup and a sandwich for dinner instead of a heavy meal, especially in the winter. It's really quick too, another nice point. I almost forgot, you can get a coupon right now for $1.25 off 4 cans of Progresso soup!

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN (2) Coupons for Progresso Soup and The Biggest Loser Workout DVD}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
2) It is that easy!
♥Read More♥

C3 For Stress Relief With Giveaway-CLOSED

2012-01-20T23:42:00.001-05:00

How do you stay calm during the day? Do you feel stressed way too often? There is now an all natural lemon-lime flavored drink mix available that can help keep you calm and stress free. C3 for Stress is made with healthy botanicals, vitamins and minerals that help relieve symptoms of stress, helping you be more productive. All you do is add one packet to either four or six ounces of juice or water and drink up.

The ingredients include Kava Root, Polygala Root, Longan Berries, Wild Jujubee Seed, Bai-zhu (white) atractylodes, Poria, White Peony Root and Bark, Milk Thistle Seed, and Licorice Root. It also contains Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium and Zinc.

It is easy to use, works within 20 minutes, is all natural and preservative free, with no artificial sweeteners, only 15 calories, stimulant and sedative free. You can purchase online--a 5-pack box retails for $8.95 and a 15-Pack box retails for $19.95. All new customers can get a FREE sample (5-pack) but have to pay for shipping ($4.95).

I started having anxiety attacks in 2006 I believe. It started out happening once in a while then went to an everyday thing where I couldn't function at all. It is amazing how stress can affect your mind and body! The doctor told me that one of the best things to do for anxiety was exercise. Walking seemed to help me while an attack was starting, but came back as soon as I sat down. I take a prescription medicine for it now so I have to be very careful what I use so it doesn't interact with my meds. I was happy to see that there wasn't anything in C3 that would intefer with my meds and the added vitamins was great too. It has a pleasant light taste and did seem to help me relax a little within about 20-30 minutes. MH used it also and liked the taste. He noticed that he relaxed a little after taking within 20 minutes.

If you want to try it out and read more about stress and helpful tips, go to the C3 For Stress website at www.C3forstress.com. They are also on Twitter (@C3forstress) and on Facebook. You can also enter to win a one month's supply and SpaFinder gift card below!

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a 1 Month's Supply of C3 for Stress (2) 15-packs and a $50 SpaFinder gift card}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
2) It is that easy!
♥Read More♥

Real Steel Now On DVD/Blu-Ray January 24th!

2012-01-20T20:28:00.000-05:00

The popular movie, Real Steel, starring Hugh Jackman will be available for purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD on January 24th with prices ranging from $44.99 for the 3-Disc Blu-Ray combo to $29.99 for the digital version. It is 127 minutes long and tells the story of a boxer set in the future. An excellent family movie, Charlie is in debt and has no desire to take care of a boy he left behind, but when he makes an offer with the Uncle, he decides to take him for three months while they are away. That's where they eventually learn to work together and start making a name for themselves in robot boxing with Atom, who you can't help but root for. Here is a synopsis:

Enter the not-so-distant future where boxing has gone high tech--2000 pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots have taken over the ring. Starring Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed up fighter turned small time promoter, it's a riveting, white knuckle action ride that will leave you cheering.

When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the thrill-packed arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.

The bonus features include deleted and extended scenes, countdown to the Fight: The Charlie Kenton Story, interactive content for your iPad or computer, Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman's Champ, bloopers, audio commentary, Making of Metal Valley and Building the Bots. I enjoyed the bloopers of course and watching the deleted scenes the best. Charlie isn't a very good character at the beginning but eventually comes around and redeems himself.

Plenty of action and also emotional scenes, it has something for everyone in the family! You can find more information on the website at www.steelgetsreal.com, or on Twitter and Facebook. You can also watch videos on YouTube. FYI: Get $5 off the purchase of the 3-Disc Combo set by going to www.steelgetsreal.com and click on the offer at the upper right corner of the page. This savings ends on 1/29/12, so hurry!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

I Took The Tide Coldwater Challenge

2012-01-20T18:14:00.002-05:00

As part of the Tide Coldwater program through SheSpeaks, I had the chance to try out Tide Coldwater Fresh Scent Liquid Laundry Detergent and compare it to my regular detergent and noticed it cleans the same. I prefer unscented formulas but the fresh scent wasn't too bad (it actually reminded me of the Tide I used in my younger years when I had to go to the laundry mat to do all my laundry. That was not fun hauling clothes, especially in the winter or on rainy days). The scented version DID make MH itch after using, so I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive skin.

MH wants me to use hot water on all laundry, but I do use cold water on colored laundry sometimes to help keep it looking good and not fading for as long as possible. If there was an unscented version available near us, I would gladly switch it up and go cold water washing all the time if it meant saving money. Who wouldn't want to save money?

It comes in both regular and HE formulas in liquid and powder, in two scents: fresh scent and mountain spring and unscented/free--but only in limited areas. I have found it a bit hard to find in stores, but do like that you can order it online. All in all, I would say it cleans good but can be irritating to those who have sensitivities to fragrance or dyes, and it does cost more than regular Tide.

Disclaimer: This post was written for SheSpeaks who provided the complimentary product and gift card for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Trop50 True Resolutions & Giveaway-CLOSED

2012-01-14T22:36:00.000-05:00

By now you may have seen advertisements for Trop50 juice from Tropicana and how it can help with weight loss since it contains 50% less sugar and calories, without using artificial sweeteners. There is a contest on Facebook (Trop50 True Resolutions) where you can share your New Years resolutions and be entered to win one of four $1,000 gift cards! You will also score a coupon for $1.00 off and coupons for 50 of your friends just by sharing your motivation to what keeps you going.

There are several flavors of Tropicana Trop50 juice available but only two were at my local Walmart, so I have tried the Red Orange flavor only, which is a mixture of orange and red orange. One glass has 100% of your day's supply of Vitamin C and is an excellent source of Potassium (480 mg per 8 fl. oz). It tastes about the same as their regular juice, just not as sweet. I think it's actually better than the regular. Even MH enjoyed it and he doesn't usually drink fruit juice. I would love to try the Pomegranate Blueberry flavor--still waiting on it to show up. A 59 fl. oz. bottle costs about $4.00.

I gave up making New Years resolutions years ago because I never stuck to it for long. I think the longest I ever lasted with anything was three months. Most people want to live healthier and lose weight, but I think that's something we should do all the time, not just say we are going to do on January 1st. Do any of you make New Years resolutions? If so, how long do you stick to it??

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a $50 SpaFinder Gift Card and Coupon for Trop50}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
2) It is that easy!
♥Read More♥

Dino Dan: Dino Trackers DVD With Giveaway-CLOSED

2012-01-12T19:37:00.000-05:00

NCircle Entertainment has released one of Nick Jr.'s popular shows on DVD; Dino Dan- Dino Trackers. It includes five stories that feature a young boy named Dino Dan (played by Jason Spevak), who goes on 'adventures' with real dinosaurs that only he can see. Here is the package rundown for more information:

Follow the adventures of paleontologist-in-training Dan Henderson as he imagines dinosaurs into the real world! Join Dan as he plays a game of chase with his prehistoric pals, tracks down a mysterious dinosaur and learns how dinos got their names. Dan uses the scientific method to gather clues and solve mysteries.

This video also contains an interactive bonus to play along- Are We There Yet?: World Adventure, Dino Dan Field Guide: Diplodocus, and Dino Fact Finder: Stegosaurus. The information about dinosaurs on the video is from paleontologists at Canada's Royal Tyrrell Museum of Alberta.

Dinosaurs are something that kids and adults are always interested in. Not only were they huge and weird looking, but there are all kinds of interesting facts about them. Some of those are:

A Brachiosaurus could live up to one hundred years and weighs up to 80 tons
A T-Rex could eat up to 500 pounds of meat in one bite
A Corythosaurus dinosaur had a large protective plate on top of its head
A Spinosaurus had bony rods on its back that held up a 'sail' made of skin

A great instructional video about dinosaurs that is also fun, you can purchase a copy for $12.99 retail at Walmart, Target, Kmart, Toys R Us or online at the NCircle Entertainment website that has tons of videos for everyone in the family! Want to win a copy? Enter below for your chance, but if you can't wait, pick up a copy wherever you shop.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN Dino Dan Dino Trackers}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
2) It is that easy!
♥Read More♥

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine

2012-01-12T17:23:00.001-05:00

Since being one of the lucky participants of a Holiday VoxBox from Influenster, I have had the chance to try out and fall in love with NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in the Nude York City shade. Unlike other lip glosses I have used over the years, this one does not dry my lips out, but actually makes them softer for an extended period of time- thanks to the added Vitamin E. It isn't as sticky or tacky as others either. And, one of my favorite things, it smells wonderful (you may want to eat it but that isn't suggested)!

The Nude York City shade is a peachy sheer but does have a little sparkle to it, so you can wear alone or apply over your regular lip product. It applies easily and fits nicely in your handbag or pocket. In ten shades and at only $2.49 each, that is a pretty good value too! Lucky for me, these are available at Walmart, Family Dollar and Rite Aid. Use the store locator to find the nearest store to you.

Here is the run down from the company...

Straight from the city that never sleeps, NYC New York Color offers products with uptown style at down-to-earth prices, from $.99 - $4.99. The energy, style and color of New York City shines through the wide range of shades, textures and innovative products. NYC always delivers the most on-trend products & shades hot off the runway!

A beauty-editor favorite is Liquid Lipshine ($2.49). It has pure pigments that created a 3-D gloss effect. Vitamin E provides shine and a moisturizing feel. The formula is non-sticky, super shiny & soft. Available in 10 on-trend shades from neutral nudes, to berries & fuchsias. Start shopping for NYC at these stores nearest you: Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, Family Dollar, Duane Reade, Kmart, HEB, and others. Visit newyorkcolor.com to check out all shades and fun products from New York Color!

Disclaimer: This post was written for Influenster who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

New Purex Ultra Packs Laundry Detergent With Giveaway!-CLOSED

2012-01-11T20:56:00.000-05:00

Yes, Purex will be coming out with yet another new product in February--Ultra Packs laundry detergent! If you like the little square 'pacs' available for dishwashers, you will definitely love these. They come in two varieties: Mountain Breeze and Free & Clear in an 18 count resealable bag. Each pack is pre-dosed with Purex's new Triple Action liquid formula and is safe for regular and HE washers. They even dissolve using cold water!

Just add one pack to the wash and then add your clothes. If you have an extra large load or really dirty laundry, you can use two packs. This is a low-sudsing formula so you don't have to worry about hurting your machine or it rinsing clean. I love how easy these are to use and how little space it takes up! Absolutely no mess or measuring. We received the Free & Clear to try out and I like how well it cleans all our laundry with no added perfumes or dyes. Another great product from the Purex brand. Starting in the middle of February 2012, you can get a FREE SAMPLE of the new Ultra Packs to try out and find out for yourself how well they clean. Just keep going to FreeSamplePurex.com and request your sample when they are available.

{GIVEAWAY--3 People will WIN a coupon for Purex Ultra Packs}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

Bestial: Werewolf Apocalypse {Book Blog Tour} & Giveaway- CLOSED

2012-01-11T20:12:00.000-05:00

Bestial: Werewolf Apocalypse by William D. Carl
{Paperback, 304 Pages, December 2011, Fiction, $15}

Publisher's Synopsis:

BENEATH THE DIM LIGHT OF A FULL MOON, MADNESS REIGNS. . . .

As night descends on Cincinnati, the city braces for hell on earth: The populace mutates into huge, snarling monsters that devour everyone they see and act upon their most base desires. Planes fall from the sky. Highways are clogged with abandoned cars, and buildings explode and topple. The city burns.
And when daylight comes at last, the same monsters return to human form, many driven insane by atrocities committed against friends and families. . . .

Only four survivors are immune to the metamorphosis: a smooth-talking thief who lives by the code of the Old West; a bank teller who’s put her past behind her; a wealthy, disillusioned housewife; and a desperate teenaged runaway. Together they form an unlikely quartet that must find a way to stop the apocalypse before the next full moon.

William D. Carl lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is his first book.

My Thoughts:
This book starts out with men robbing a bank and the action doesn't stop from there. The story takes place over a few days, with several main characters who you learn to like. When night falls, almost everyone in the city turns into werewolves. Men, women, and children, they all go crazy and kill whatever is in sight, including each other. Rick and Chesya spend the night inside the banks vault to stay alive, but as the next night falls, they find that they can't use it again since the battery no longer works. So they race around to try to find a safe place to hide out until daybreak comes again.

Christian is a homeless boy who does 'favors' for an older scientist. After the outbreak of werewolves, he travels to the scientists lab to try to find out if he knows anything, but finds him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He discovers his journal and realizes he is the one responsible for the outbreak. The three come together while hiding out and then try to alert the military without getting killed by the werewolves or the guard. I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a copy of this book}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

Win Prizes Every Week At Diapers.Com

2012-01-11T19:40:00.000-05:00

Have you entered to WIN a copy of 'I Don't Know How She Does It', starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear and Pierce Brosnan? You can also WIN other prizes from Diapers.com. Vote every week in January to be entered!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information/images in exchange for my honest opinions.

Cooking Using Carapelli Olive Oil

2012-01-10T23:49:00.000-05:00

We got into using olive oil years ago when MH found out that it is healthier for you than some other oils. I've also found that it tastes much better in some recipes, especially anything with vegetables. Lately we have been using Carapelli Olive Oil, which has been around since 1893!

I did not know that they harvest olives during November through March. The olives are then pressed and the oil is extracted from the pulp to make the delicious olive oil that you purchase in stores. What makes it healthier than butter or vegetable oil? Olive oil has less saturated fat--1.8 grams compared to about 7.2 grams in one tablespoon of butter. That is a big difference!

Carapelli carries three varieties:

Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil {intense flavor & aroma}-- good for dipping, salads, marinades, flavoring
Il Numerato Extra Virgin Olive Oil {Smooth & low acidity}-- good for drizzling on bruschetta, dressings, or on poultry and meat
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil {Smooth, fruity, peppery taste}-- good for dressings, marinades fish, pasta, veggies

Some very useful information to know: Olive oil should be stored in a tightly closed bottle in a cool, dry place and not refrigerated. It should last for about two years, but is the most flavorful within the first two months. Here are two recipes I tried out and loved using Carapelli Olive Oil, but before you do that, go to the website and get your $1 off coupon!

Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Serving Size: 12

Ingredients:
10 8-ounce potatoes, (about 5 pounds) peeled and cut in half
3/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
1/2 cup Tuscan Herb paste
1/2 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup heavy cream, warmed

Directions:
Boil potatoes in salted water. When cooked tender, mash potatoes. Mix salt and pepper with Tuscan Herb Paste, olive oil and warm heavy cream. Fold into potatoes.

Tuscan Herb Paste
Yield: 2 1/4 cups

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Carapelli Extra Light in Taste Olive Oil
1 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon fresh basil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
1/2 packed cup fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
2 tablespoons fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Directions:
Blend herbs and crushed red pepper with light olive oil using a blender or food processor, then stir in extra virgin olive oil.

Serving Ideas: Use to flavor vegetables for grilling and mushrooms for roasting.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Purex Crystals Fabric Softener & Jockey Sports Bra With Giveaway- CLOSED

2012-01-10T23:00:00.000-05:00

Now that the new year has started, many people are making resolutions to live healthier and get more exercise. I don't make resolutions myself, but do like to see others succeed. Purex has a fabric softener that is perfect for your workout clothing, Purex Crystals, which come in three scents- Lavender Blossom, Fresh Spring Waters, and Tropical Splash.

It is made with 92% natural crystals that do not contain oil, so it won't hurt any wicking fabric from working- like your athletic wear, children's sleepwear, and towels. You can use in both regular and HE washers and it comes in a handy bottle with it's own cap for measuring. You add the crystals in the wash cycle, so you won't ever forget to add fabric softener. I think the scents are very strong, so I use less than what it calls for on the directions. Even after running through the dryer, the scent is strong ( it is too much for me personally) and it does soften clothes very nicely- just as well as regular liquid softeners. I would like to see an unscented variety since I don't care for heavily scented laundry. I also noticed that it seems to dissolve completely and does not leave any residue in the washer.

As mentioned previously, Crystals are great to use on athletic wear, such as the Jockey Tech Terry sports bra I also received to try out. This bra is moisture-wicking so it helps to keep you cool and dry while working out. It also has a reflective logo on the back, breathable mesh panels, soft bottom band for a more comfortable fit, and a key pocket built in so you can carry your keys with you. It is made of polyester and spandex, is machine wash and dry in several sizes and two colors- black and white and retails for $28. I received an XL but could not get it on without a lot of twisting and turning. As with all sports bras I have ever used, it flattens your bust, which isn't very flattering. It has as much support as any other bra I have used. I would like to see a front/back hook to make it easier to get on and off without hurting yourself in the process. You can get a 20% off coupon for Jockey right now to try out this sports bra for yourself. Use online or at Jockey outlet stores nationwide.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a bottle of Purex Tropical Splash Crystals and Jockey Tech Terry Sports Bra}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Get A Free Schick Hydro Silk Razor!

2012-01-05T13:54:00.003-05:00

Five people can get a FREE sample of the new women's Schick Hydro Silk Razor right now. Hurry because this will go fast! This razor has 5 blades, moisturizing serum, skin guards, soft touch handle and an oval cartridge. The moisturizing serum softens and hydrates skin while shaving using marine extracts and shea butter--no need for shaving gel. Another nice feature is the oval cartridge, making it easier to get to those hard-to-reach places and curves. These retail for about $10.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Yoga Club {Book Blog Tour}

2012-01-04T21:03:00.000-05:00

The Yoga Club by Cooper Lawrence
{Paperback, 336 Pages, $15, Fiction, December 2011}

Publisher's Synopsis:

Chatting it up with bendy WASPs is the last thing on Coco Guthrie’s mind during her 8:30 a.m. yoga class. Having made her fortune as the world-renowned inventor of Butt-B-Gone derriere cream, Coco still doesn’t feel like she belongs among the upper class— until she attends the swankiest Halloween soiree in Greenwich, Connecticut, where three of her fellow morning yogis shared her brilliant idea to appear as Sarah Palin.

Soon it’s clear that a love of stretching isn’t all this accidental sorority—which includes a single mom with echolalia, an entertainment reporter who charms the pants off handsome stars, and a drama-prone producer with a taste for drag— have in common.

When the four mischievous Sarahs wander away from the party to sneak a peek at the mayor’s neighboring estate, they are stunned to find him adorned in leather and latex, and rolling up a woman’s body in a Persian rug. To make matters worse, someone has spotted the spying Palins. Someone who threatens to expose their torrid affairs in business and the bedroom. Now the unlikely foursome must use all their wits and wiles to get to the bottom of the kinky crime. But will their budding friendship be strong enough to protect their deepest secrets?

Cooper Lawrence is a radio and television personality who has been featured in countless newspapers and magazines. She is the author of five non-fiction books and lives in New York City. You can find her online at her website, Facebook page, or on Twitter.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun, light-hearted book that you will be able to finish in no time. Once you start reading, you won't want to put it down until you find out what happens anyway! The four Palins show up at a Halloween party and decide to go next door to see an art piece at the Mayor's house. While there, they look in his window and see him dressed in leather and his tighty whities leaning over a young woman who isn't moving.

The next day they think it was all a dream and have nothing to worry about, but change their minds quickly when envelopes arrive at their homes containing information that can ruin them. They can either agree to keep quiet or try to prove a murder has taken place and maybe lose everything in the process. There are a lot of funny celebrity stories throughout that will also have you laughing. I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Nellie Loves Mr. Chewy!

2012-01-03T18:09:00.000-05:00

Our dog Nellie has loved getting mail since MH's mother began sending her dog treats through the USPS when she was a puppy. Ever since then, she always has to sniff the mail to see if it contains food for her, or something she thinks she can eat.

On Christmas Eve day, a big box was delivered that contained presents for Nellie from Mr. Chewy. She wasn't home at the time, so I wrapped everything up before she could get to it and put it up on a shelf just in case. We received several products for $50, which included FREE shipping ( I have to say, it was the fastest shipping I have ever received- it came the next day!!!), and super easy and fast ordering.

Nellie's goodies included a 31.1 lb bag of her favorite dog food, Beneful, 3 oz. bag of Beggin' Strips, and a 16 oz. bag of Blue Buffalo Blue Health Bars. As I mentioned, I wrapped the treats, but not the big bag of dog food. She loves opening presents and had a fun time opening these and was anxious to unwrap more as you can see in the video below. You can find all of Nellie's videos on my YouTube channel, including her shampoo that she was not happy about.

You can find other items for dogs and cats on their website arranged by product or by brand. It made it very easy for me to pick out her favorites and add them to my cart. The price is about the same as our local Walmart too. If you spend over $49 you also get free shipping! Nellie wants to thank Mr. Chewy for her favorite treats and the really fast shipping, so she would have the opportunity to open her presents on Christmas. She was indeed a very happy and content doggie.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Swingline SmartTouch Stapler

2012-01-02T14:22:00.000-05:00

I feel that you can never have too many office products and since we have three desks, everything we do have is spaced out between them. I have been trying out the Swingline SmartTouch Stapler along with Swingline Premium Chisel Point Staples. Many people don't think about staplers until they have a problem with one or are in need of one for their projects.

Stapled through more than 25 pages easily

This stapler is a lot bigger than the others we have, it works better, is more comfortable to use, doesn't jam, and is very quiet. It was quite easy to load the stapler- just push the grey button on the end and it pops out, place staples inside and push back in. I tried stapling 25 pages together and it worked great, without having to use force like regular staplers. On the box it says '50% less effort than standard staplers' and they aren't kidding. At a price of $14.37, I think that is a good deal. The features I like and that are listed on the packaging include:

25 sheet capacity {it can actually staple more than this}
quiet smooth operation {no more annoying clicking sounds}
soft-touch accents {very comfortable to hold onto}
ergonomic design {fits easily into your hands or on desk}
quickload feature for easy front loading {push button and load}
limited one year warranty

The Swingline Premium Chisel Point Staples come in a handy plastic container that flips open, containing 5,000 staples that have 210 staples per strip. You can tell by looking at them that these aren't your cheap, everyday staples, even though they only cost $2.02 a box. There was no problem going through 25+ pages of paper and not edges sticking out to get caught on your skin or something else. I also like the fact that these have a 100% performance guarantee!

The Swingline SmartTouch compared to our 2 regular staplers

Dislikes that I have about these two products? The only thing I can think of is that the stapler did not come with instructions as to how to load the staples, but it was pretty easy to figure out. Both items work perfectly for everything I have tried them on. Definitely two thumbs up from us! You can purchase both of these items at Shoplet.com, along with many other office supplies that include free shipping on orders of $45 or more on over 400,000 items. You can save even more when you buy in bulk!

I
OFFICE
SUPPLIES

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

My Christmas Present For 2011

2011-12-27T12:47:00.001-05:00

This year I had told MH that a new vacuum cleaner would be good since my old one died on me. He said he wasn't buying a vacuum... Well, I was pleasantly surprised when he showed up with a new Electrolux Ergorapido Stick Vac! I love the color, which is orange, and how light weight it is. It also has a removable hand vac attached.

I looked it up online to see what other people thought of it and read that after 6 months, many have said that it loses power and the ability to recharge. Not good, I'm hoping that it works longer than that... Have any of you had any experience with this brand?

Virtual Virgin: Delilah Street: Paranormal Investigator

2011-12-24T12:15:00.001-05:00

Virtual Virgin: Delilah Street: Paranormal Investigator by Carole Nelson Douglas

{Urban Fantasy, Paperback, 384 Pages, November 2011, $7.99}

Publisher's Synopsis:
She’s Like a Virgin . . . Simulated for the Very First Time

For a red-blooded male, Las Vegas offers a virtual smorgasbord of temptation: sexy showgirls, vampy vampires, zombie starlets, you name it. But paranormal investigator Delilah Street isn’t worried about losing her man to these vixens. Especially when the one woman with a soft spot for the guy also has a hard-shelled exterior…

She’s a robot—or a CinSim, to be exact—a near-perfect simulation of the silver-metal robot Maria from the classic science fiction movie Metropolis. Part innocent teenage actress, part depraved sex goddess, the new Maria is hooked on Delilah’s partner, Ric, who raised her from the dead. She also happens to be the perfect secret weapon for a demonic drug lord. Which could be one hell of a problem. Delilah’s not the jealous type, but this tin-can temptress must be stopped—even if it forces Delilah to forge a dangerous alliance with her wicked mirror-twin, Lilith. If robo-girl goes ballistic, every player in Vegas loses…

Carole Nelson Douglas is the author of more than fifty fantasy and science fiction, mystery, mainstream, and romance novels, was an award-winning reporter and editor for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. She's won or been short-listed for more than fifty writing awards in nonfiction, sf/fantasy, mystery, and romance genres, including several from the Romance Writers of America and Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine, and the Cat Writers' Association. In 2008, RT BOOKreviews magazine named Carole a "pioneer of the publishing industry. Carole and husband Sam live in Fort Worth, Texas. You can visit her online at www.carolenelsondouglas.com.

My Thoughts:
Delilah has no family, is self-reliant and happy, but when a robot tries to take away her boyfriend, things get serious. With plenty of action throughout the book, Delilah and Ric are on a mission to stop the immortal mob and drug lords before they take over Las Vegas. And keep the CinSim from getting her man... I Rated This Book: 3.5/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

25th Anniversary Edition of Stephen King's IT

2011-12-23T14:57:00.002-05:00

For all the horror fans out there, Cemetery Dance Publications has released the 25th anniversary edition of Stephen King's IT, with a brand new afterword by the author. This book is over-sized, printed in two colors, full color wrap-around artwork by Glen Orbik, with almost thirty original color and black and white illustrations by Alan M. Clark and Erin S. Wells.

With a total of 1052 pages, here is a more detailed list of what is included in the book

brand new afterword by Stephen King detailing why he wrote the book
deluxe over-sized design (7 inches X 10 inches) featuring two color interior printing
epic wrap-around full color cover artwork by Glen Orbik
nearly thirty pieces of color and black & white interior artwork by Alan M. Clark and Erin S. Wells
interior color artwork will be printed on a high-quality glossy stock and tipped into the book
high-quality embossed end papers and fine bindings for all three editions
full-color signature sheets with exclusive color artwork in the signed editions
a page count so high it pushes the limits of our printer — easily our largest book ever!
extremely collectible print run that is a tiny fraction of the MILLIONS of copies of this novel you've seen in bookstores over the last 25 years — and you will NOT find our edition in chain bookstores!

I remembering reading this book years ago and watching the movie several times. It really makes you hate clowns! The state of Maine sure does have its horror stories...

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information/images in exchange for my honest opinions.

Making My Christmas List

2011-12-22T15:13:00.000-05:00

I always say I am going to make a Christmas list, but never get around to putting on paper what I REALLY want. It's usually something small that I ask for that I could just pick up myself, except on the few times when I have asked for a new laptop {big grin}. Today I decided I would put something I truly need and want at the TOP of my list. It may seem weird to some people but here it is... Glasses. Yes, that is what I want more than anything else Santa!

After looking through my health records, I discovered that I haven't had an eye exam in six years! I know I need to get my eyes checked because I can't see the tv as well as I used to and it is a little bit harder for me to read. Not only haven't I gotten my eyes checked, but I haven't purchased a new pair of eyeglasses in six years, meaning the pair I wear now are embarrassingly out-of-date, scratched, and a bit beaten up. So that brings me to the conclusion that I need to do some shopping.

After Christmas vacation is over, I am going to make an appointment and see what the verdict is. Has my vision deteriorated a little or a lot? Do I now need bifocals? I hope not, but I will grin and bear it if so. I've also decided that I am going to save money and NOT buy from the eye doctor, but order online eyeglasses because they are so much cheaper and I can browse at my leisure and not have to sit there looking at frames that I know I hate for hours on end ( of course, they always tell you how good they look on you, but you know they just want to make a sale).

Now that I know Santa doesn't need to bring me this because I am going to order glasses myself, I need to come up with another gift I want to add to my list. I can't use the new laptop gift again...or could I? Maybe I should ask for a Kindle Fire so I can read with my new spectacles that I plan on ordering... I do need a new pair of cozy slippers since Nellie chewed up my last pair. Bad dog, but I got back at her by getting her doggie shampoo and conditioner. In case you haven't figured that out, Nellie hates getting a bath {evil grin}.

Oh, do any of you have any suggestions what frames I should order? I'm looking at several on GlassesUSA.com and having a tough time deciding. I have always had the round or oval frames but I want something else, maybe the rectangular styles. I don't know whether to get a simple frame like the 'Bergen' or a heavier frame like the 'Occhiali.' Suggestions would be nice!

Get Rid Of Nasty Refrigerator Odors With Oransi & Giveaway- CLOSED

2011-12-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

We usually don't have much food in our refrigerator, but sometimes the things we do have in there doesn't smell so good, like fish. I have placed a box of baking soda in my fridge and freezer for years, which cuts down on some of the odors, but doesn't take care of the tough stuff, like onions and garlic.

Lately I've tried out this handy little gadget that runs on two AA batteries, makes no noise whatsoever, and within hours has gotten rid of practically all odors from our refrigerator! What is this small miracle? It's called Oransi Ionic Air Purifier for Refrigerator and retails for $29.99, and you NEVER have to replace a filter! It will run for about two months on a set of batteries and has a LED light that shows that it is working and when the batteries are getting low and need to be replaced.

All you need to do is put in the batteries and place in your refrigerator and that's it. How simple is that?!! And it is small enough that it won't take up much room and it isn't ugly--most people probably wouldn't even notice it sitting in your fridge! It has a clean, white design that everyone will like, as you can see in the above pictures I took.

Here is what it will do after the initial 30 minutes of running continuously and then for 5 minutes every two hours:

Eliminate food odors in your refrigerator
Kill bacteria
Reduce food spoilage
Prevent mildew
Sterilize fridge every 2 hours
Neutralizes stale and foul odors with fresh air inside refrigerator

You can purchase these fridge air deodorizers, which have a one year warranty, on their website (and get FREE shipping) or at Amazon or other online retailers. I believe I am going to order a few of these for family members! By the way, they also carry other 'green' products to help keep your home clean and smelling good.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN an Oransi Ionic Air Purifier for Refrigerator}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Entry Information on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

A Christmas Wedding Tail On DVD

2011-12-21T09:18:00.001-05:00

Some of you may have seen the movie, A Christmas Wedding Tail, on the Hallmark channel in November. If not, it has been released by Anchor Bay Entertainment in time to enjoy for the holidays! It stars Jennie Garth and Brad Row, two single parents whose dogs fall for one another, bringing the families together.

Here is a synopsis:
Jennie Garth of 90210 stars as Susan, an unemployed Los Angeles museum curator and widowed single mom temporarily living in a small California town with her three sensitive sons. Jake (Brad Row of General Hospital) is a single dad of two tomboys who owns a local winery. When Susan's dog Rusty (voiced by Jay Mohr of Ghost Whisperer) falls for Jake's poodle Cheri (voiced by Nikki Cox of Las Vegas), these canine matchmakers help their owners fall in love too. Now with a Christmas Day wedding to plan--and major complications threatening to unravel it all--can two mismatched broods find a way to make one happy family? Tom Arnold as Susan's headhunter and Catherine Hicks as Susan's mother (7th Heaven) co-star in this heartwarming holiday film from the producer/director of The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation and Your Love Never Fails.

This fun family movie is 88 minutes long and also includes audio commentary with Executive Producers Jeffery Schenck and Barry Barnholtz and Writer/Co-Producer Peter Sullivan and something a little more fun, A Christmas Wedding Tail: Dog Tracks! You can purchase a copy for $19.98 retail wherever DVD's are sold.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Purex Has A New Triple Action Laundry Detergent & Giveaway!- CLOSED

2011-12-20T13:36:00.000-05:00

Purex is always trying to make their products better and in so doing have just come out with a new laundry detergent- Triple Action Formula. It cleans better than their other detergent and still costs less than many brands, and it can be used in either a regular or an HE washer.

There are three varieties to choose from, in several scents: Regular- in three scents, Free & Clear (which we used), and Natural Elements- in two scents. One 50 fl. oz. bottle will wash 33 loads of laundry. This is what the company says about their new product: 'New Purex Triple Action leverages the best parts of our current formula, combined with new additions, to deliver great cleaning plus improved brightening power.'

After trying it out on our clothes I can say it does work better than their previous versions and does pretty good as a stain-treater too! It doesn't get all the grease and oil out of MH's clothes, but no laundry detergent has ever completely accomplished that task. Even though it is free of dyes and perfumes, it still made MH itch a little bit. As usual, I had no problems with itching myself. All in all, I feel this is indeed an improvement and a good value. FYI: In early 2012 you will have the chance to receive a sample of this new detergent! Just visit www.FreeSamplePurex.com often to be the first to grab one when it becomes available!

{GIVEAWAY-- Three people will WIN a coupon for Purex Triple Action}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

Making Money Taking Online Surveys

2011-12-20T11:19:00.003-05:00

I've mentioned a few times that I have been taking online surveys for years. I believe I started in 2001 and have stuck with a few of the best companies that I have enjoyed and who always pay. I use the money and gift cards I make to purchase Christmas gifts and items for my family throughout the year. I have gotten a lot of household items that get used daily! Here is my list of the best Survey Companies that I've stood by through the years, in no particular order:

Ipsos I-Say
You get points for surveys, which you can then cash in for gift cards, Amazon, etc. Pays quickly!

My Survey
This one tends to send a lot of products to try out, that's what I like about them.

Opinion Outpost
I used to get a lot of surveys from them, but not so much anymore. They paid quickly and it added up fast!

Survey Spot
Again, I used to get a lot of surveys with them, but then nothing. They are geared more towards young families who have small children.

Valued Opinions
Another of my favorites that I still get plenty of surveys from. Your account adds up quickly.

Save $3 on the Barbie DVD!

2011-12-19T11:04:00.002-05:00

Today's coupons are:

Triaminic® - $1.00 off One (1) Triaminic® Fever Reducer Product
Triaminic® - $3.00 off Two (2) Triaminic® Products

Barbie: A Perfect Christmas - $3.00 off Barbie: A Perfect Christmas DVD

The Goodlife Recipe® - $1.00 off two (2) bags of TGLR Treats
The Goodlife Recipe® - $1.00 off of TGLR Main Meal entrees

Holiday VoxBox From Influenster

2011-12-19T10:16:00.003-05:00

I received my very first VoxBox from Influenster not long ago, which included several full size products and a few samples. What was in the Holiday VoxBox you may ask? The contents were:

Mentos Chewing Gum--Fresh Mint with Green Tea Extract
imPRESS Press-On Manicure--Chic Mystique
NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine--Nude York City
Softsoap Var Soap--Coconut Scrub, 2 bars
Larabar--trial size
Montagne Jeunesse Mud Pac--Kep & Seaweed, trial size
Garden Botanika--Heart Eau de Parfum, trial size

The Mentos gum reminds me of Altoids. Upon first bite it has an intense mint taste but then after a few seconds it is like a regular mint gum. I like the fact that they added green tea to make it a bit healthier. One thing I didn't like is that it contains aspartame.

I haven't used the imPRESS press-on nails yet, but love the light pink color and especially the design! I wanted to wait to use this because I didn't think it would last long while hauling wood. More to come later on this one.

NYC liquid lipshine is again a light/pale which fits with me and my complexion. It goes on smoothly and seems to last a long time. I noticed that it didn't dry my lips out like so many other lip glosses do. It actually made my lips softer than many lip balms! I would definitely recommend this!

The Softsoap coconut scrub bars lather up good, have a great scent, and seem to exfoliate dead skin. If you want to moisturize your skin, this soap isn't going to do the trick. It is a good way to get your skin ready for sunless tanning and a moisturizing lotion though.

The trial size products weren't bad either. I've never had a Larabar before, but thought it was a decent size snack. It didn't have much taste though. I'm not into perfume, so I just sniffed the Heart pump sprayer, noticed it had a clean but feminine scent and put aside. Lastly, I was happy to try out the mud pac because I always like the way my skin feels afterwards. Again, it was easy to apply. I watched tv while waiting the recommended 15 minutes and then rinsed it off. My skin felt soft and pores appeared a little smaller. All in all, trying out this VoxBox was very fun!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

A Celebrity In Our Town!

2011-12-17T10:44:00.001-05:00

Last week there was a celebrity in our town filming an upcoming episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, which airs on NBC. This show traces genealogical history of celebrities on each episode. This particular episode will air in February. So who is the celebrity? None other than Reba McEntire! Of course, I didn't find out until after she was gone. It would have been nice to actually see someone who is considered a celebrity someday in my lifetime. She is so small and yet so spunky--a great voice too!

Photo Credit is NOT Mine

You Have to Try This Cookie Recipe!

2011-12-17T09:54:00.002-05:00

I received this recipe in my e-mail from Making Life Better and it is so good. If you like chocolate chip cookies, you have to try this one!

Ultimate Double Chocolate Chunk Holiday Cookies

MAKES: about 16 cookies PREP TIME: 15 minutes COOK TIME: 11 minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 cup (2 sticks) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® All Purpose Sticks

3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped*
6 oz. white chocolate, coarsely chopped*
1/2 cup EACH dried cranberries and coarsely chopped toasted pecans

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°.
Beat I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® All Purpose Sticks with sugars in large bowl with electric mixer or wooden spoon until smooth. Beat in vanilla, egg and baking soda. Stir in flour just until blended. Stir in chocolate, cranberries and pecans.
Drop mixture by 1/4-cupfuls, 3 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 11 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheets 2 minutes. Cool 2 minutes on wire rack; remove from sheets and cool completely.

*SUBSTITUTION: Use semi-sweet or white chocolate chips instead of chopped chocolate.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Nutrition Information per cookie:

Calories: 360   Calories from Fat: 180g
Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0g
Total Fat: 20g   Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 160mg Total Carbohydrates: 42g
Sugars: 28g   Dietary Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g   Vitamin A: 10%
Vitamin C: 0%   Calcium: 4%
Iron: 6%

PediaCare 'Get Back to Happy' & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-12-17T09:31:00.000-05:00

Now through January 31, 2012 you can enter the PediCare 'Back to Happy' sweepstakes for a chance to win prizes-- a two day vacation for four at Great Wolf Lodge and a PediCare Family pack that includes an assortment of PediaCare® products, $100 Fandango gift card, $100 Chuck E. Cheese gift card, and Great Games! 175 Games & Activities for Families, Group & Children by Matthew Toone, valued at $350 {One entry per person and for U.S. residents 18 and over}. That's a pretty nice prize for families!

PediaCare® and Little Remedies® will be using a new dosing system for infant and children's acetaminophen products. The new formula is less concentrated, meaning the dosage will be greater. See the complete details below.

PediaCare® Infants Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever:

For ages 0-36 months
New special dosing syringe and flow restrictor bottles
Dye free Cherry
New bubble gum flavor as well as cherry and grape
Weight and age-based dosing instructions on package
Suggested retail price for a 2-ounce liquid bottle is $6.99

PediaCare® Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever

For ages 2 -11
Flow restrictor bottle and dosing cup
Dye free Cherry
Cherry or grape flavors
Weight and age-based dosing instructions on package
Suggested retail price for a 4-ounce liquid bottle is $7.59

Little Remedies® Infant Fever/Pain Reliever

Flow restrictor bottle and special dosing syringe
Dye free; gluten free
New natural grape flavor as well as natural cherry
Weight and age-based dosing instructions on package
Suggested retail price for a 2-ounce liquid bottle is $6.79

Little Remedies® Children’s Fever/Pain Reliever

Flow restrictor bottle and dosing cup
Dye free; gluten free
New natural grape flavor as well as natural cherry
Weight-based dosing instructions on package
Suggested retail price for a 4-ounce liquid bottle is $7.99

All products are available nationwide at mass market retail, supermarkets and drugstores. To find out more about the new acetaminophen dosing system and more, visit www.pediacare.com or www.littleremedies.com. The well known Dr. Sears {Pediatrician and co-host of The Doctors} has a new video that talks about acetaminophen, the new dosage, how to use and helpful tips for making sure your children actually take it.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a set of PediaCare® infants and children's products}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

AARP Giveaway

2011-12-16T11:56:00.000-05:00

Enter for a chance to win $50,000 toward a secure retirement. Earn up to 30 additional entries and test your knowledge with our Smart Retirement Trivia Challenge. Play the Instant Win game. One $50 Visa® Gift Card is being awarded EACH day through December 31, 2011! For U.S. residents 18+.

Save On Nabisco, Pace, Glade and Balmex!

2011-12-16T10:44:00.001-05:00

Available coupons and freebies today are:

COUPONS:
Nabisco - Buy any TWO (2) NABISCO Crackers (9oz.-16oz.) and Get ONE (1) FREE
Pace® - $0.50 off on any TWO (2) Pace® products
BON APPETIT™ - $3.00 off one BON APPETIT™ Steam-Baked meal cleaner FREE!
fantastik® - Buy any Pledge® or Armstrong Floor cleaner, get any fantastik® cleaner FREE!
Glade® - $2.00 off Glade® PlugIns Scented Oil refills
Herpecin L® - $1.00 off Herpecin L®
AmLactin® - $3.00 off AmLactin® Moisturizing Body Lotion
Edge® - $0.55 off any EDGE® SHAVE GEL 7oz OR LARGER
Balmex® - $1.00 off ANY 1 Balmex® Diaper Rash Product
Sears Portrait Studio - FREE Designer Montage & Extra 20% OFF purchase. NO Session Fee!

FREEBIES:
Free Fries at Burger King Today only!!!
Free Fish Oil sample from Sundown Naturals(r)
Free breakfast at Mimi's Cafe(r)
Free sample of Huggies(r) Snug & Dry Diapers for Sam's Club Members.
2 free Quest Bar(r) samples.
Free sample of Selena Gomez(r) new fragrance.

Easy Recipes Using Konsyl Fiber!

2011-12-16T08:46:00.000-05:00

Back in September I did a review and giveaway for Konsyl Fiber products, which you can view HERE. Now I have a few recipes that you can make using Konsyl. Try one or all and enjoy getting your fiber in a great tasting way.

Hearty Harvest Oatmeal (Gluten-Free)

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cooked, old fashioned gluten-free oatmeal
1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 tbsp milk (coconut, almond or otherwise)
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp real vanilla extract
1 rounded tsp Konsyl Original psyllium fiber
Maple syrup, pecans, dried cranberries or raisins for toppings, if desired

DIRECTIONS:
Heat cooked oatmeal in pan on stovetop or in microwave until just warm. Add the milk, pumpkin, spices, vanilla and Konsyl. Mix well and reheat. If it is too thick, add 1 tbsp hot water at a time and stir until desired consistency is reached. Top with syrup, nuts and dried fruit to your liking. Makes two servings.

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup almond butter
1/2 cup coconut milk (canned, full fat)
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
zest of one orange
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 carrots, shredded
1 tbsp real vanilla extract
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
pinch salt
1/4 cup Konsyl Original
1/2 cup toasted walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Shred carrots and place in bowl. Cover with maple syrup and let marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Combine the spices, baking powder, baking soda, salt and Konsyl. In a separate bowl combine the almond butter, coconut milk, eggs, zest, and vanilla. Then add the brown sugar and stir until combine. Add the dry ingredients, stir. Add the carrots and nuts (if using) and stir until well combined. Pour into paper lined or greased muffin tins. Bake for 22-25 minutes at 350. Will make about 24 cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS:
1lbs cream cheese, room temperature
4 ounces grass-fed butter (like Kerry Gold), room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp real vanilla extract
pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:
Put all frosting ingredients into bowl and mix well with hand mixer for 6-8 minutes until light and fluffy. When cupcakes are COMPLETELY cooled, frost the cupcakes.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information in exchange for my honest opinions.

New Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls & Giveaway!-CLOSED

2011-12-15T10:46:00.000-05:00

There is nothing like freshly made homemade rolls hot out of the oven with a little butter. I could eat them everyday and never tire of it! We had the good fortune to be able to try out the two newest items from Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls; soft pretzel rolls and artisan mini baguettes. Both of these come in a resealable bag of six and sells for about $3.79 a bag at select retailers nationwide. I will start with our favorite of the two.

The Soft Pretzel Rolls taste like a good quality pretzel but are shaped like a roll. The outside is crispy and the inside is soft and oh so good. You cannot eat just one of these, they practically melt in your mouth. Just place in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, depending on if they are thawed or frozen, and enjoy.

Now the Artisan Mini Baguettes are also crispy on the outside and soft inside. These are perfect for a meat and cheese sandwich and one baguette is sufficient for a good sized meal! Both of these products do not contain preservatives or artificial flavors and have 0 grams of trans fat. There are several recipes on their website for all of their products or you can download a booklet.

You can use the store locator to find where Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls are sold near you or order online ( they even have gift baskets, pancake mix and more). I noticed that some of the rolls are not listed in my local stores, but I did find a few varieties in Walmart and Food Lion, so you may want to check out your store if it says it is not available in your area. FYI: You can get a $.50 off coupon in All You magazine or print out a coupon listed on my other post if you don't want to buy the magazine!

{GIVEAWAY--Two people will WIN a coupon for any Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

Save on Torani, Smucker's and Advil!

2011-12-15T09:31:00.006-05:00

Coupons today include something I use daily--Torani Flavored Syrups!

Smucker's® - $1.00 off any ONE (1) Smucker's® Orchard's Finest Product

Torani - $1.00 off any ONE (1) Bottle Of Torani Flavored Syrup

Sister Schubert's® - $0.50 off any one (1) Sister Schubert's® Homemade Rolls product

Advil® Congestion Relief - $1.00 off on any 1 (ONE) Advil® Congestion Relief

PediaCare® - $1.00 off any one PediaCare® product

Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ - $1.00 off (1) 4-oz. Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™

Sweet and Savory Kale

2011-12-15T06:09:00.002-05:00

I made this recipe for Kale yesterday and we loved it, so I had to share. It is from Nature's Greens and they have a lot more recipes on their website at www.rawl.net!

Sweet and Savory Kale
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion--chopped
3 cloves garlic--minced
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespon cider vinegar
1 1/4 cups chicken stock
1 1 lb. bag kale
1/3 cup sliced cranberries
Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a large stock pot, heat olive oil on medium high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute until onion softens, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in mustard, sugar cider vinegar and chicken stock. Bring to a boil on high heat. Add kale, cover, and cook 5 minutes stirring often. Add cranberries and continue cooking on medium high heat, stirring often. The liquid should reduce by about half and cranberries will get plump in about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Serves 4-6

New Apps From Harper Collins Children's Books!

2011-12-14T07:26:00.001-05:00

Harper Collins Children's Books has released several fun Apps for kids; including Fancy Nancy Dress Up, Biscuit Gives A Gift and The Berenstein Bears Trim The Tree. All three can be purchased for $.99 each from the App store on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.

Fancy Nancy Dress Up was created by Bean Creative and has all kinds of outfits, backgrounds and stickers to choose from. Kids will be able to hear Nancy talk and encourage them to make her fancier and fancier. They will also be able to save all of their creations and use Fancy Nancy in their own photos!

You can find more children's App ideas and information at the Harper Collins website. Choose from books, learning and new Apps. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information/images in exchange for my honest opinions.

Bob Seger's Ultimate Hit Collection CD Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-12-14T06:57:00.002-05:00

Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band are still going strong on their 2011 tour, ending with a New Year's concert in Las Vegas's Mandalay Bay Events Center. They have been so popular, that they had to add shows to accommodate all the fans! Make sure to check out the tour schedule to find out where they will be next before it's too late.

In November, the CD and digital collection, Ultimate Hits: Rock and Roll Never Forgets, was released by Capital/EMI for only $13.95. It has a total of 26 songs, including Turn the Page, We've Got Tonight, and Old Time Rock and Roll, as well as his two singles, Downtown Train and Hey Hey Hey Hey (Going Back to Birmingham). I like all of his songs and listen to some of his old CD's almost everyday! Find out more about the band at www.bobseger.com.

The track listing includes:
DISC ONE:
1. Old Time Rock And Roll
2. Hollywood Nights
3. Night Moves
4. Mainstreet
5. Roll Me Away
6. Turn The Page
7. Her Strut
8. Still The Same
9. You'll Accomp'ny Me
10. We've Got Tonight
11. Like A Rock
12. Fire Lake
13 .Tryin' To Live My Life Without You

DISC TWO:
1. Rock And Roll Never Forgets
2. Against The Wind
3. Ramblin' Gamblin' Man
4. The Fire Down Below
5. Travelin' Man (Live)
6. Beautiful Loser (Live)
7. Shakedown
8. Shame On The Moon
9. Katmandu
10. Little Drummer Boy
11. Wait For Me
12. Hey Hey Hey Hey (Going Back To Birmingham)
13. Downtown Train

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN the 2-CD Collection}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

One Day Stocking Sale!

2011-12-13T08:31:00.006-05:00

For one day only you can purchase personalized stockings for the family for only $9 each at Vistaprint! They will also be shipped in only three business days. You can choose from three different fonts for even more options. Click image below to order!
This offer is OVER!

Todays coupons:

FRENCH'S® - $0.30 off any FRENCH'S® French Fried Onions

FRENCH'S® - $0.50 off any FRENCH'S® Worcestershire Sauce

Delsym® - $1.00 off any one (1) Delsym® Product

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure - $3.00 off Beethoven's Christmas Adventure

Curious George - $3.00 off Curious George DVD

Little Mommy - $10.00 off Fisher-Price Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll

Eden: A Zombie Novel {Book Blog Tour}-CLOSED

2011-12-13T08:15:00.000-05:00

Eden: A Zombie Novel by Tony Monchinski
{Paperback, 307 pages, fiction, re-release December 2011, $15}

Publisher's Synopsis:
Inside its walls, a community of survivors scratches out a terrifying existence. Outside, the hordes of undead pound relentlessly against the barriers and rattle the gates of the humans' last sanctuary--Eden.

Overnight, the world transforms into a barren wasteland ravaged by plague and overrun by hordes of flesh-eating zombies. In the aftermath of the gruesome destruction of New York City and its inhabitants, a small band of desperate men and women stand their ground in a fortified compound in what had once been the outer borough of Queens. Those who built the walls of Eden fell prey long ago to the undead...those who remain survive by sheer determination, camaraderie, and human ingenuity, making forays into the outside world through the network of pipes under the city streets.

Harris--the exceptional honest man in this dead world--races against time to solve a murder while fighting to maintain his own humanity. Ultimately, the danger posed by the undead and diseased masses clawing at Eden's walls pales in comparison to the deceit and treachery Harris faces within.

Tony Monchinski is a high school teacher and lives with his family in Peekskill, New York. His other books include I Kill Monsters, Fury, and the sequels to Eden--Eden: Crusade and Eden: Resurrection.

My Thoughts:
I've read several zombie books over the years that have been good, some bad. This one ranks about in the middle for me. The story goes back and forth between present day and the past. The main character, Harris, was a school principal who lost his wife to the zombies. He is now with Julie, living among others in Eden. For the most part, they all get along, but someone has sabotaged the 'compound', leaving the door open. Harris is awakened by a zombie biting him, which he does not tell anyone about. The story then goes on to reveal who is responsible. All of the characters are well laid out and the ending may have you a bit surprised! I Rated This Book: 3.5/5 Stars.

{GIVEAWAY--Two people will WIN this book}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

Free Cookbook, Health Survey

2011-12-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

You can get several FREE e-cookbooks from the popular Mr. Food
12 Days of Christmas Cookies
25 Scrumptious Pies and Desserts
Fall Favorites
Scrumptious Slow Cooker Recipes

Do you suffer from Angina? I know several people who have this problem, one of which has had surgery. Find out when it may be a problem and when you should talk with your Dr. Just follow the link below to take a survey to see if you should talk with your Dr. soon.

Coupons For French's, Nivea and Tombstone Pizza

2011-12-12T16:23:00.004-05:00

Get your coupons today for several well known brands:

FRENCH'S® - $0.75 off ANY French's® Dijon Mustard

FRENCH'S® - $0.50 off French's® Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Tombstone® - $1.00 off three Tombstone® Large Size Pizzas

Truvia® - $0.80 off one package of Truvia® natural sweetener

POST® - $1.00 off any TWO (2) Pebbles Treats

Nivea - $1.00 off Nivea hand or body lotion

Eucerin - $1.00 off Eucerin Skin care item

Rite Aid Photo - FREE 5x7 Photo with frame purchase of $9.99

Rite Aid Photo - 20 Free 4x6 prints With purchase of 100+ 4x6

Rite Aid Photo - $5.00 off of 35+ 4x8 photo greeting cards

Rite Aid Photo - $5.00 off any 12-month Premium Custom photo calendar

Baking Christmas Cookies With Nielsen-Massey Vanilla-CLOSED

2011-12-12T09:44:00.000-05:00

I have gotten into the holiday spirit and decided to bake Christmas cookies yesterday. I whipped up a batch in no time, but found that when I went to make the frosting, I didn't have enough powdered sugar, so I have plain cookies. Even though they are bare, thanks to the Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract I used, they still taste delicious!

Most of the time while grocery shopping I just pick up a bottle of the cheapest vanilla I can find--which is usually not real vanilla at all. After getting the Nielsen-Massey Vanilla, I compared the two. First the ingredient label:
Nielsen-Massey: water, alcohol (35%), sugar, vanilla bean extratives
Store Brand: water, caramel color, vanillin, citric acid, sodium benzoate, ethyl vanillin, artificial flavor
Not only do the ingredients inspire me to switch, but the taste is definitely better!

A total of seventeen products make up the list of Nielsen-Massey products and all of their extracts come in either 2, 4, or 18 oz, are organic and can be purchased at select retailers. I bet the coffee and chocolate would taste good in recipes. Here is one recipe of many on their website you might want to try this season:

Nielsen-Massey Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients

2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
¼ cup high quality cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (1¼ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Chocolate Extract
1 egg
¼ cup original unsulfured molasses

Directions
Line 2 light-colored, heavy baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and salt, set aside. To a large mixing bowl, add butter, granulated and brown sugars, Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Chocolate Extract; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Beat in egg until combined. Add molasses, beat until combined. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients in three batches, beating after each addition, until just combined.

Divide dough into 2 even pieces, press each piece into a disk shape, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Working with one piece of dough at a time, place on a clean, lightly floured surface*. Roll dough to a ¼-inch thickness. Using a 2¾-inch cookie cutter, cut desired cookie shapes. Transfer cookies to prepared cookie sheets using a thin metal spatula. Bake about 8-10 minutes, remove and place cookies on wire a rack to cool.

For a crispier cookie, roll dough to a ⅛-inch thickness and adjust baking time accordingly.

*For dusting the rolling surface and pin, in a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. This will help keep the cookies a nice chocolaty brown.

Nielsen-Massey Almond Icing
Ingredients
½ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract
1 tablespoon meringue powder
2½ tablespoons water
2¼ cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together Pure Almond Extract, meringue powder, water and confectioners’ sugar, until smooth. Select a small round pastry tip, prepare a pastry bag and creatively pipe icing onto cooled cookies.

No time to make icing? Before placing cookies in the oven, generously sprinkle chocolate gingerbread cutouts with Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a bottle of Vanilla}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form
♥Read More♥

Gourmet Gift Baskets Encourages Christmas Donations To Soldiers

2011-12-11T13:35:00.001-05:00

I have been asking MH for weeks what he wants for Christmas. He keeps telling me, 'I don't know.' Then the other day he said he thought of something he wanted and was going to tell me, but then forgot what it was. Aaaahhh! I told him he has just a little more time and then I will pick something myself and if he doesn't like it too bad for him.

I do know that he really likes getting gift baskets that have different cheeses, meat and crackers. I don't like those as much as getting something that has sweets. Yes, I love sugar! I've been browsing the Gourmet Gift Baskets website, which has been featured in several food magazines and won NBC's Best Holiday Gift Basket Contest.

They make it easy by letting you choose to search by category, occasion, price, theme, or recipient. The prices range from under $25 to $125 and up. I chose to click on Christmas since it is that time of year and it has 71 items to pick from! Fair warning--don't look at this site if you are hungry. I know MH would like the Coffee and Chocolates Gift Basket Stack ($37.99), but I would choose the Gourmet Cheesecake Sampler for myself ($37.99).

We sampled the Christmas Gift Basket Classic ($59.99) last week, filled with several items in a nice rectangular basket. MH loved the dipping pretzels and raspberry honey mustard pretzel dip the best. I really enjoyed the almond pecan-dy crunch--yum. Getting a gift basket is so fun because you get such a variety of different items, most of which you probably never saw before.

This Christmas Gourmet Gift Baskets is reminding people to think of a soldier and encouraging people to donate a gift basket to brighten their day. Not only will this show how much you care and support them, but it will give them a nice treat too.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Win A 1 Year Subscription To Better Homes & Gardens!

2011-12-10T04:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Purex, you can enter to WIN a one year subscription to Better Homes & Gardens magazine! It has all kinds of interesting articles and tips for your home; including decorating, recipes, gardening, crafts etc. There will be 20,000 winners, so your chances of winning are very good.

How to enter:
Go HERE and fill in short entry form

Rules:
One entry per household
Open to US 18+
Giveaway ends on December 27, 2011 at 3 PM, PT

Disclaimer: This post was written with information from Purex as part of being a Purex Insider.

Funny Key Word Searches

2011-12-10T02:04:00.001-05:00

When you are trying to find something online, do you think of funny or weird things to use as key words? I'm surprised at some of the things I see other people search for. Two of the latest key words used that bring people to my blog are:

Constipated pants
Raiding the refrigerator

Constipated pants??? What is that?!! Apparently when searched it lists posts/info for kids' constipation and pooping their pants...

Raiding the refrigerator shows images for people/cartoons at the refrigerator, who apparently go to eat while they are still asleep. I can say I have never done that (that I know of anyway).

The Wiggles: It's Always Christmas With You! Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-12-10T01:25:00.001-05:00

The guys from Down Under--The Wiggles newest release is 'It's Always Christmas With You!' on DVD. Their first holiday DVD in seven years, includes fourteen new tunes and seasonal favorites. It even has celebrity guest Joey Fatone ('N Sync) singing O Holy Night.

In this release, the crew travels around the world to learn how Christmas is celebrated in other countries. Plenty of singing and dancing and a bonus 50 minute animated special, 'Dorothy the Dinosaur Meets Santa Clause.' A total of 110 minutes with a holiday photo gallery.

You can purchase a copy for $9.99 at a retailer near you, such as Kmart, Walmart, Toys R Us, or purchase on the NCircle website, which also has plenty of activities for kids. Don't forget to 'Like' them on Facebook for updates and promotions.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN this DVD}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Get $5 Off Fright Night Blu-Ray!

2011-12-09T21:35:00.001-05:00

More savings today on food, personal care, baby bottles and a movie!

ARMOUR® - $1.00 OFF 2 ARMOUR® Meatball Products

Hillshire Farm® - $1.00 off 2 Hillshire Farm® Lit'l Smokies

SIMPLY SMART® - $1.00 off any ONE package of ANY PERDUE® SIMPLY SMART® Chicken Product

PERDUE® - $1.00 off ONE package of ANY PERDUE® Refrigerated Breaded or Frozen Fully Cooked CARS Products

AQUAPHOR - $1.00 off ANY ONE (1) AQUAPHOR Product

Evenflo - $3.00 off Two 3-Packs Of Evenflo PurelyComfi™ Bottles

Fright Night - $5.00 off any Fright Night 3-Disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack--since this is a horror movie, you know I want to see it!

The Wildwater Walking Club

2011-12-09T01:33:00.001-05:00

The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook

{Hardcover, 239 Pages, Fiction, October 2009}

Publisher's Synopsis:
Just put one foot in front of the other. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But when Noreen Kelly takes a buyout from her job and gets dumped by her boyfriend in one fell swoop, she finds it hard to know what that next step is--never mind take it. At first Noreen thinks maybe her redundancy package could be an opportunity, a chance to figure out what to do with the rest of her life while her company foots the bill. She may have grooved to 'Sweet Baby James' back when James Taylor had hair, but she isn't ready for her AARP card. Not yet.

For the first time in a great many years, Noreen has time to herself. And she has no idea what to do with it. When she realizes that she's mistaken her resume for her personality, Noreen knows that she has to get moving, so she puts on a new pair of sneakers and a seriously outdated pair of exercise pants, and walks. She doesn't get very far at first, but she perseveres, and when she's joined by neighbors Tess and Rosie, Noreen realizes that walking is not an extreme sport.

As the Wildwater women walk and talk--and talk and walk--they tally their steps, share their secrets, and learn what women everywhere are finding out--that time flies and getting fit is actually fun when you're walking with friends. Throw in a road trip to Seattle for a lavender festival, a career-coaching group that looks like a bad sequel to The Breakfast Club, plenty of romantic twists and turns, and a quirky multigenerational cast of supporting characters, and the result is an experience that's heartfelt, exuberant, and above all, real.

Claire Cook is the bestselling author of Summer Blowout, Life's A Beach, Must Love Dogs, Multiple Choice, and Ready to Fall. She teaches workshops for aspiring writers and women coming into their own at midlife, and has had previous stints as a fitness teacher and dance and aerobics choreographer. She lives in Scituate, Massachusetts with her husband. You can find her online at www.ClaireCook.com.

My Thoughts:
I really like to read stories about women who move on with their lives and find that they like themselves. This one starts out with Noreen (Nora) leaving her job and afterwards, losing her boyfriend. He doesn't call or return her calls, he just stops talking to her. Not very mature for a grown man. After she starts walking around her neighborhood and is joined by two women, she not only gets fit, but realizes that she wants to do more with her life and most importantly, to have fun. While doing this, her mother comes to visit and instead of harping on her about everything as usual, she starts a relationship with one of her walking buddies father! A nice, light read. I Rated This Book: 3.5/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: I won this book a few years ago and just now got around to reading it. These are my honest opinions.

Fred Figglehorn NEW Animated Series

2011-12-09T01:04:00.001-05:00

Quite a while ago I did a giveaway for one of Fred Figglehorn's CDs--2009 I believe. Lucas Cruikshank is the teen with the obnoxious voice that seems to be so popular on YouTube. At only 18 years of age, he is the 6th most viewed comedian and the 7th most subscribed channel!

He now has a new animated series, It's Fred! It is developed and written by the writers of The Wild Thornberries and Rugrats--Eryk Casemiro and Kate Boutilier. There will be nine episodes that will air every Thursday (starting this week).

The first episode is Fred Gets Adopted. After each episode there will also be a photo caption contest, with the winner being announced the next Wednesday on his Facebook page (he has a TON of likes/fans!) You can watch his first episode below...

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information for this post in exchange for my honest opinions.

Coupons For Mountain Dew, Glade And More

2011-12-09T00:39:00.001-05:00

The coupons released today are for a few tasty items! See below...

Mountain Dew - $1.00 off any ONE (1) 20 oz. Mountain Dew

Minute Maid® - $1.00 off any one (1) Minute Maid® Juice Box 10-pk, any variety

Welch's® - $1.00 off any TWO Welch's® Sparkling Juice Cocktails (any flavor)

BACARDI® - $1.00 off 3 any flavor Frozen Bacardi® Mixers

Glade® - $1.00 off any TWO Glade® Scented Oil Candles

Glade® - $2.00 off Glade® PlugIns Scented Oil refills

Glade® - $0.55 off Glade® Premium Room Spray (9.7 oz)

Glade® - $1.50 off any TWO Glade® 4-oz. Jar Candles

Vanity Fair® - $1.00 off 2 packages of Vanity Fair® Napkins

Flintstones™ - $1.00 off any Flintstones™ Multivitamin Product

Paramount Home Entertainment - $5.00 off Kung Fu Panda 2 DVD or Blu-ray™

Jamba All Natural Smoothies & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-12-08T02:56:00.000-05:00

I've always loved smoothies, but don't have them much because there wasn't a place that sells them near us. Then came along the frozen smoothie sold in the freezer aisle of grocery stores. Aaahhh, now my craving can be taken care of without having to travel forever to get it.

Last week was my first time trying out Jamba all natural smoothies. I got the Caribbean Passion flavor, made with mango, strawberries, peaches, passion fruit and non-fat yogurt. No high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or preservatives. Each package makes two eight oz. servings, which equals a full serving of fruit and 100% daily value of Vitamin C, fat free and only 60-70 calories per serving.

Just add juice (or whatever beverage you choose) and blend until smooth. I did have problems trying to get it smooth enough to drink and we ended up using a spoon instead. So it was more of a slushie than a smoothie, which I think I actually liked better. I also tried making it with ginger ale instead of apple juice and it was delicious!

There are five flavors to choose from: caribbean passion, strawberries wild, razzmatazz, orange dream machine and mango-a-go-go. You can purchase at stores nationwide for about $2.99 to $3.29. I didn't have any stores near me.

{GIVEAWAY--Two people will WIN (2) Coupons each for Jamba Smoothies}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Holidays Can Be Messy

2011-12-08T02:21:00.000-05:00

Some days I just don't feel like cleaning at all. I would rather sit down and read, watch tv or play online. Even though we don't have children, MH and Nellie make just as much of a mess as three or more kids! Mud, dirt, hair, toys are all a daily thing in our household.

I prefer natural cleaning products, but sometimes they just don't get the job done as well as the heavy duty stuff can. I have yet to find something that totally removes water stains and soap scum like they show on tv. Is that even possible? I tried Greased Lightning for the first time last week on several occasions. It was great at removing dirt from counter tops, our stove top, and toilets. It even removed several layers of water stains/soap scum on the shower doors--not completely but it did better than anything else I've used so far. I don't especially care for the smell (you should use in a well ventilated area) and having to wear gloves while using it, but it does work.

Greased Lightning is a multi-purpose cleaner and degreaser that can be used on many surfaces in your home, including carpeting, patio furniture and as a stain remover for laundry. You can purchase it at hardware stores, Dollar General, Walmart, Family Dollar and Sam's Club. When visiting the website, you can get a coupon for your next purchase and also enter the sweepstakes to win! I see on their Facebook page they have a new design and a new scent coming out soon.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Win An iPad 2 From Woman Freebies!

2011-12-07T22:28:00.001-05:00

Everyone is making their holiday gift lists and I bet I know one of the items on many of them...an iPad 2! I know I would love to get one. You can enter right now to WIN one of your own, thanks to Woman Freebies. Just head on over and fill out the simple form for your chance to take home a new iPad 2! The winner will be drawn randomly. Good Luck!

Contest Ends January 15th, 2012. 11:59:59 P.M. ET. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Apple.

Save On Land O Lakes, Life Savers and More

2011-12-07T22:09:00.001-05:00

Coupons released today are:

LAND O LAKES® - $1.00 off any 1 lb. of LAND O LAKES® Deli Cheese

Alpine Lace® - $1.00 off any 1 lb of Alpine Lace® Deli Cheese

Life Savers® and Starburst® - $1.50 off 2 Life Savers® or Starburst®

Hillshire Farm® - $0.55 off Hillshire Farm® Deli Carvers™ Lunchmeat

Scotties® - $1.00 off any five Scotties® Cube 60-75 ct.

3-IN-1 - $1.00 off ONE (1) CAN OF 3-IN-1 MULTI-PURPOSE OIL

Scrubbing Bubbles® - $3.00 off Scrubbing Bubbles® One Step Toilet kit

Scrubbing Bubbles® - $1.00 off Scrubbing Bubbles® One Step refill

ABC TV ON DVD - $5.00 off one Switched at Birth Volume 1 DVD

Godiva Coffee Makes A Great Holiday Gift!

2011-12-07T01:26:00.001-05:00

I find it hard to buy presents for men and co-workers (when I was working). I always hated those cheap gifts they have at stores with perfume, body wash, etc that never gets used. The thing is, it's so easy to pick them up and throw in your shopping basket, thinking that's another gift you have checked off your list.

Now I try to always get something useful. No more cute stuff, knick knacks, etc. that probably get re-gifted to another person. Food is my first pick because I know it's something that will get used and most importantly--enjoyed! Who wouldn't want some rich hot cocoa or imported tea?

I was surprised to find out that the makers of the most delicious chocolate, Godiva, now make coffee! After trying it out, I can tell you it is just as good as their chocolate. I fell in love with the aroma of the Godiva Chocolate Truffle. I actually have the empty bag next to me while typing this just so I can smell it once more. Here is what they say and I agree wholeheartedly:

Every moment is worthy of a little indulgence and a cup of coffee is no exception. Godiva Coffee is that pleasant pause in your day to savor something special, to relax and to feel good.
With uncompromising passion for quality ingredients, we expertly blend luscious and creamy Godiva flavors with perfectly roasted 100% Arabica coffee beans for a rich, smooth taste. We've crafted an experience that captures the most indulgent aromas and flavors to make each cup delicious and distinctive.

There are five varieties--chocolate truffle, french vanilla, hazelnut creme, breakfast blend, and caramel. In addition to these, there are seasonal flavors--cinnamon gingerbread truffle and peppermint mocha! Both of these are good and all of them are made with medium roast, so it's not too strong and not too weak. Perfect for the picky coffee lover. For the holidays, there are gift boxes of coffees ready to give too!

You can purchase at grocery stores nationwide (use the store locator to find the closest store), and by visiting their website, you can get a $2.00 off coupon on your purchase. All of the stores in my state are an hours drive away, but I think I would make a trip just to stock up. The recipes look pretty tasty too.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Stay Healthy During The Holiday Season

2011-12-07T00:49:00.001-05:00

Now that the holidays are in full swing, there is a lot of rushing to buy presents, prepare meals, visiting families and all that goes along with it. Not only do you have all that to contend with, but the weather has gotten cooler and if you have kids, they have probably already had a cold or two by now. Being so busy with all this can leave you open to getting sick yourself. There are several things you can do to stay healthy and germ free. Here are a few tips from two trusted sources; Dr. Benjamin Tanner (Microbiologist) and Stacy Debroff (Mom Central). Taking the advice of these two and using Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes can help keep colds away.

Dr. Tanner suggests:
*Practicing good hygiene for at least a week after a cold--cold viruses can be found in nasal secretions of children for two to three weeks after the onset of symptoms.

*Don't touch your face--most cold viruses are spread by contact with surfaces through 'self-inoculation' when hands pick up cold viruses, and then touch the nose or eyes to start an infection.

*Keep your immune system healthy--maintaining a healthy body weight with proper nutrition reduces risks of infection, and also may prevent inflammation (potentially damaging immune system hyperactivity).

*Keep up on cold and flu germs--colds are most infectious during the first two to four days people are infected. Droplets from sneezes can travel at a velocity of 45 miles per hour and cover a distance of 10 feet! Wash your hands and face regularly; when soap and water is not available use Wet Ones to kill bacteria on your hands.

Stacy Debroff's suggestions are:
*Go into laundry overdrive--when a cold assault runs through a family, wash your kids' pillowcases and sheets in very hot water-even daily, if you can. If your child constantly clutches a blanket or stuffed animal, toss those in too.

*Focus on health--prepare healthy meals with lots of fruits and vegetables. Also try adding a chewable multivitamin each day.

*Pay attention to pals--keep an eye on your child's friends and change plans if needed to reduce risk of exposure.

*Sleep rules--stick to nap schedules for young kids and bedtimes for older ones. If they suffer from nasal congestion, prop them up with an extra pillow for easier breathing.

*On the road--during holiday travel take along Wet Ones to clean kids' hands frequently.

*Wipe out germs and messes--clean hands help prevent the spread of cough and cold germs, but soap and water isn't always available. Always have wipes handy for those times!

You can find more helpful tips on the Wet Ones website and don't forget to stock up with plenty of choices: canisters, individual wipes, travel packs and even flushable!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product and information for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Recipes For The Whole Family From Betty Crocker

2011-12-07T00:21:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Betty Crocker, the whole family can enjoy holiday treats this season with recipes that will have you drooling--yes, even your doggie!

Trend: Double Desserts

Taking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It´s a 1+1=3 kind of thing.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange.

Trend: Boozy Baking

From booze cakes to cocktail pies, bakers everywhere are bringing the bar into the kitchen. A titch of tequila or a skosh of scotch whiskey adds a serious shot of fun and flavor for the over 21 crowd. We´re loving these boozy baked goods!

Recipe: Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes

Taste for yourself what the buzz is all about! A bit of bourbon, a hit of coffee liqueur and some vanilla vodka-spiked frosting make these sophisticated chocolate cupcakes the ultimate holiday helpers.

Trend: Color. Flavor. Fun.
Traditional baked goods are being transformed with bright colors and playful flavors. With a little creativity and imagination, no one can resist this happy, fun food!

Recipe: Cake Batter Cookie Stackers

Take sugar cookies to a whole new level of delicious! Kids and adults will love these cake batter flavored cookies with colorful frosting, and lots of sprinkles! Stack `em up and watch `em go.

Trend: From Cave to Kitchen
Forget the man cave. Today guys are in the kitchen making (or at least appreciating) really good food. Big food. Really good, big food that´s stacked and stuffed with the flavors they can´t resist.

Recipe: Mantastic Fried Chicken `n´ Waffle Sandwich

Here´s a new take on chicken `n´ waffles - made better with beer, bacon, and bourbon. It´s the ultimate manly man meal.

Trend: Skinny Cocktails
Here´s the skinny! Drinking high-calorie cocktails is so last year. The modern mixologist is shaking things up with light & flavorful cocktails.

Recipe: Skinny Clementine Martini

Add some clever sparkle to your next party. Enjoy these natural, light martinis made with fresh juice, high-quality liquor, and a splash of club soda. Lower calorie cocktails never tasted, or looked, so sweet. Cheers!

Trend: Better Than Bought
From canning to candy making, there´s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity.

Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge

Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge layered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt-a recipe to impress.

Trend: Veggie Love
Once just tolerated, vegetables are now celebrated. Omnivores and herbivores alike have discovered that veggies offer variety and great taste, and are feeling the love.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Hummus

Hummus with fresh sweet potato packs even more plant power. Add a delicious blend of smoked paprika, coriander, and cumin to make this flavorful dip.

Trend: Shareworthy & Allergen-Friendly
Allergen-friendly foods may be free from things like nuts, dairy and eggs, but shouldn´t be free from flavor. Thankfully, we´re seeing new foods and recipes that can be enjoyed by everyone - whether you´re allergy-sensitive or not.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Gather everyone around the table to enjoy this moist and delicious pumpkin bread. Made with no nuts, no dairy, no eggs, and no gluten - no kidding!

Trend: D-I-Y for D-O-G
Man´s best friend deserves man´s best effort. That´s why making your own dog food is one of the latest canine crazes! This year, homemade dog treats are at the top of fido´s list.

Recipe: Dog Bark

This treat will make your dog sit up and beg for more. Make the bark by melting carob chips and peanut butter then top with your dog´s favorite ingredients - bacon and cheese. Bow WOW!

Trend: Food Craft
The kitchen is the new craft room. With food as their medium, clever cooks are making amazing edible food crafts that are as good to look at as they are to eat.

Recipe: Chocolate Coal Lumps

Naughty or nice, everyone will love these easy cho-coal-late treats. Cocoa Puffs® cereal dipped in melted chocolate and marshmallows create these tasty stocking stuffers.

Disclaimer: I received the information and images for these Betty Crocker recipes from MyBlogSpark.

New Post-it Full Adhesive Notes

2011-12-06T22:57:00.001-05:00

I love Post-its and seem to use at least one or two everyday for a way to remember one thing or another. They now have a new product, making it even easier to apply to any surface and stay there longer. The Full Adhesive Super Sticky Notes are 3" x 3" and have 25 sheets on each pad. They come in Electric Yellow and assorted ultra colors and retail for about $6.50 for a 4-pad pack.

These are easy to remove and handy to use for marking all the Christmas presents you have purchased so you don't forget what you bought for whom. It also has a removable back sheet so you can mount it to a binder, folder, refrigerator, dashboard, etc. and use them as needed. I like that they have a rounded edge, so it doesn't snag like the square edges seem to do. Another great product from the Post-it brand!

Follow updates and promotions on their Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Save On Candy and Nail Polish

2011-12-06T22:31:00.001-05:00

Savings of $1 or more on a few sweets and nail polish!

Sally Hansen - $2.00 off Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips

NESTLE® Jingles - $2.00 off any THREE (3) bags of NESTLE® Jingles Candy

Wonka® - $1.00 off TWO (2) Wonka® Candy Canes

Wonka® - $1.00 off any TWO (2) Wonka® Fantastical Fun Books

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

2011-12-05T13:32:00.001-05:00

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
{Hardcover, 178 Pages, Fiction, June 2010}

Publisher's Synopsis:
Fans of the Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits.

Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes, and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood...life before she became a vampire.

All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself, and above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as her. As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?

In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

Stephenie Meyer is the author of the bestselling Twilight Saga. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English literature. She lives with her husband and three children in Arizona. You can find her online at www.stepheniemeyer.com.

My Thoughts:
After hearing my niece mention this book, I decided to purchase it and see what it was all about. I have never read the Twilight books, but have seen the movies. It started out a bit on the boring side. The newborns were going about feasting on people, thinking only of themselves. That is, except Bree and Diego. These two seem to want to know more and feel that things aren't exactly as they were told. After getting left behind one day, they travel under water to a cave Diego knows about, to wait out until night fall. While there, they find out that sunlight does not kill them--as they were told. They soon realize that they are being prepared for something, something that is coming soon. I Rated This Book: 3/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This book was purchased by myself, the opinions expressed are my own.

My Nephew Loves Babies

2011-12-02T03:22:00.001-05:00

My nephew, who is six years old now, seems to love babies and other little kids. He is always up for holding them and being the perfect big brother (cousin, neighbor,etc). Here he is with his newest cousin who was born on November 16th.

Eat, Drink, and Be Married & A Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-12-02T01:59:00.001-05:00

Eat, Drink, and Be Married by Rebecca Bloom
{Paperback, 197 Pages, Fiction, August 2011, $14.95}

Publisher's Synopsis:
When college friends Kate, Nina and Zoe take holiday from their busy schedules on opposite coasts to join their former roommate, Hannah, for her wedding in Lake Tahoe, they not only bring suitcases packed with what-not-to-wear bridesmaid dresses, but baggage of a more emotional kind.

Supported by a variety of eclectic characters determined to wreck havoc on their carefully organized lives, each woman is forced to come to terms with her past before she walks down the aisle. Zoe must learn how to reveal a vulnerability beneath her bravado before she can finally open her heart. Kate needs to reclaim her identity before she can regain her strut. Nina must heal her own inner child so she can provide for another. Hannah needs to release a ghost in order to recover her spirit.

A bottle of booze, a host of laughs, a hankie or two worth of tears, and seventy-two hours among those who know and love them the most is the perfect recipe for four women to Eat, Drink, and Be Married.

Rebecca Bloom is the author of Girl Anatomy and Tangled Up in Daydreams. Both novels were featured in numerous national and regional publications. She lives in California. You can find her online at www.RebeccaBloom.com.

My Thoughts:
There is nothing like having good friends that you can trust and count on. In this story, four such friends are getting together for a wedding. All of them are hiding a part of themselves from each other, even though it seems they are very close. My favorite character is Zoe because she seems to be the most real person, someone who you could hang around with and actually like. It's a light hearted chick lit book that has some true to life events. I Rated This Book: 3/5 Stars.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a copy of Girl Anatomy by Rebecca Bloom--her First Book!}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Final Week of The Hellmann's Turkey Challenge

2011-12-01T21:35:00.001-05:00

This is the fourth week of the Hellmann's Turkey Challenge. Have you been visiting every day and voting on your favorite recipe? Since they have reached 10,000 entries, the weekly gift card prize is now $500 instead of $250!! One of their recipes is Turkey Casserole, which can be made using Hellmann's mayonnaise and leftovers from Thanksgiving. Easy and quick--that's what I like.

Disclaimer: This post was written as part of a One2One Network campaign, who provided the complimentary product information/images in exchange for my honest opinions.

Pine Bros. Throat Drops Are Back

2011-12-01T01:30:00.001-05:00

Have you seen the tv commercials lately with Rudy 'Tutti' Grayzell wearing his 'rocker' garb, talking about Pine Bros. softish throat drops? I believe when I was young, my mother bought these throat drops for sore and dry throats. I hadn't seen them in quite a while and now they are back, after 15 years thanks to Victoria Knight McDowell (creater of Airborne), with the same great taste but a new look. These are the only soft throat drops I've ever seen--sort of like a gummy. There are two flavors right now, with two more coming out soon. There is Natural Honey and Wild Cherry. I prefer the Wild Cherry flavor myself, but do enjoy the Natural Honey, that actually tastes like real honey.

These throat drops are all natural and made in America for adults and children aged three and up. It's best to suck on these slowly for best results, even though it's very tempting to chew them and eat like candy! Only 5 calories each. You can purchase at CVS and online. You may find them at other food and drug stores also. They retail for about $3.49 for the 32-count bags and $2.99 for the 26-count canisters/pucks. They are good for dry mouth and seem to help soothe a mild to medium sore throat.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

She Can Run

2011-12-01T00:58:00.001-05:00

She Can Run by Melinda Leigh
{Paperback, 326 Pages, Romantic Suspense, November 2011, $13.95}

Publisher's Synopsis:
Ten months ago, Elizabeth Baker uncovered a dangerous secret about her politician husband--a secret that nearly got her killed. Now she and her children are running for their lives. When Beth is hired as the caretaker of a remote Pennsylvania estate, she dares to hope she has found a corner of the world where Congressman Richard Baker can't find them. But when her new boss dies suddenly and his nephew inherits the estate, Beth is faced with outwitting a former homicide detective who is very smart, very suspicious--and very attractive.

Forced into retirement by an injury and grieving the loss of his uncle, Jack O'Malley is unprepared to share his new home with a strange woman and her two kids. He is even less prepared for the instantaneous attraction he feels whenever Beth enters the room. She is beautiful, intelligent, kind...and obviously terrified of someone or something. As Jack's investigation uncovers the shocking details of Beth's past, the rural community is shaken by the murder of a local woman. Driven by instinct and desire, Jack is determined to keep Beth and her children safe, even if doing so means putting his heart--and his life--on the line.

Melinda Leigh has won numerous writing awards for her paranormal romance and romantic-suspense fiction. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons.

My Thoughts:
Beth is a widower with two children. She meets and marries Congressman Richard Baker, thinking her life would be better for both her and her children. What she finds out about him soon changes her mind, causing her to leave in a hurry, fearing for her life. When she arrives at her new job, the owner is dead, but it isn't long before his nephew takes over. It's then that Beth and Jack begin a timid romance, while someone is going around town murdering women that look like Beth. Coincidence? I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Save On JCP Holiday Cards And Much More!

2011-11-30T23:11:00.001-05:00

Here is a pretty big list of the current coupons available right now. Enjoy your savings!

BABY

Similac - $1.00 off on Similac large sized powder

JOHNSON'S - $1.00 off any JOHNSON'S Baby Oil product

DESITIN™ - $1.00 off any DESITIN™ Soothing Rash Bath Treatment (excludes trial size)

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Odwalla - $0.55 off any one (1) Odwalla 12fl oz Juice, Juice Drink or Smoothie

Seattle's Best Coffee® - $1.50 off ON ANY Seattle's Best Coffee®

Dunkin' Donuts® Coffee - $1.00 off any 11oz or larger bag of Dunkin' Donuts® Coffee

Stash Tea - $1.00 off on any two (2) boxes of Stash Tea

Smart Balance® Milks - $0.75 off any one (1) Smart Balance® Milks

Welch's - $1.00 off any 4-Pack of Welch's Fruit Fizz

LaCroix® Sparkling Water - $0.55 off any OFF any LaCroix® Sparkling Water 8 pack flavors at Target

BOOST® Kid Essentials - $1.50 off any ONE (1) multipack of BOOST® Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink

OREGON CHAI - $1.00 off ANY OREGON CHAI PRODUCT

Sokenbicha - $0.75 off Any Sokenbicha product Sokenbicha - Zero Calorie Unsweetened Teas

Seattle's Best Coffee® - $1.50 off ON ANY 4 PACK OF SEATTLE'S BEST ICED LATTES {I love these!!!}

Borden® Cheese - $1.00 off ONE (1) package of Borden® Pizza String Cheese

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! - $1.00 off ONE ICBINB! Tub product

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! - $1.50 off TWO ICBINB! Tub products

HOT POCKET® - $2.00 off ONE (1) HOT POCKET® brand Family Value Pack, 49.5-58.5 oz. packages

HOT POCKET® - $1.00 off 3 boxes HOT POCKETS® sandwiches, 7.5-9.5 oz. packages

HOT POCKETS® Brand Snackers - $1.00 off 2 HOT POCKETS® Brand Snackers

Goya® Rice Mixes- $0.55 off Goya® Low Sodium Yellow Rice or any Goya® Rice Mix

Goya® Adobo- $0.55 off Goya® Adobo

Crunchmaster® - $0.75 off Any One (1) Bag or Box of Crunchmaster® Crackers

Pillsbury - $0.30 off 2 Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits

Pillsbury - $0.50 off 2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls

Pillsbury - $0.40 off any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls

Pillsbury - $0.50 off TWO Pillsbury Pie Crusts

JET-PUFFED - $0.40 off any ONE (1) JET-PUFFED Mallow Bites or Flavored Marshmallows

Chef M.J. Brando - $1.00 off any (2) Chef M.J. Brando appetizers

HORMEL® - $1.00 off any two (2) HORMEL® COMPLEATS® microwave meals

Crunchmaster® - $0.75 off Any One (1) Bag or Box of Crunchmaster® Crackers

Smart Ones - $1.00 off (5) Weight Watchers Smart Ones

Delizza Patisserie - $0.75 off any one (1) package of any Delizza Patisserie Products

Yoplait - $0.40 off SIX CUPS Yoplait Yogurt

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt - $0.40 off Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

Diamond Crystal Sea Salt - $0.40 off Diamond Crystal Sea Salt

Diamond Crystal Salt Sense - $0.35 off Diamond Crystal Salt Sense

HEALTH CARE

Maty's - $1.00 off any Maty's Cough Syrup, Kids Cough Syrup, Baby Chest Rub or Vapor Rub Products

Bayer® - $1.00 off on any Bayer® Advanced Aspirin product

Nature® Made - $1.00 off Any Nature® Made Product

Lip Clear Lysine+ - $2.00 off one (1) box of Lip Clear Lysine+ cold sore treatment.

Afrin® - $2.00 off any Afrin® Nasal Spray

Coricidin® - $2.00 off any Coricidin® HBP product

Disney - $1.00 off ANY Vitamin item in Disney or Marvel Shapes

Gas-X - $1.00 off (1) Gas-X Product.

Maalox® - $1.50 off any one (1) Maalox Advanced® product

e.p.t. - $2.00 off any one e.p.t pregnancy test

ZarBee's Cough Syrup - $1.00 off ANY ZarBee's Product

Nasalcrom - $2.00 off any NASALCROM allergy product

Cosamin® - $4.00 off any Cosamin® ASU Joint Health Supplement

Bronkaid® - $2.00 off any Bronkaid® product

Sundown Naturals® - $1.00 off any On ANY Sundown Naturals® Vitamin or Supplement

HOUSEHOLD

Reynolds Wrap® - $1.25 off ONE Reynolds Wrap® Product

Wisk® - $0.75 off Wisk® Laundry Detergent

BRAWNY® - $0.55 off any ONE (1) BIG ROLL OR LARGER PACKAGE OF BRAWNY® PAPER TOWELS

BRAWNY® - $1.00 OFF ONE (1) 8-ROLL OR LARGER PACKAGE OF BRAWNY® PAPER TOWELS

Sparkle® - $1.00 off any ONE (1) package of Sparkle® Paper Towels 6 Regular Roll or larger

Spot Shot® - $1.00 off Any Spot Shot® Instant Carpet Stain Remover Product 14 oz. or larger

Filtrete™ - $10.00 off any ONE (1) Filtrete™ Water Station

Filtrete™ - $10.00 off on either ONE (1) Filtrete™ 8 Cup or ONE (1) Filtrete™ 12 Cup Water Pitcher

Conair - $5.00 off Thermaluxe Towel Warmer by Conair

MORTON® ICE MELT - $1.00 off ANY ONE (1) MORTON® ICE MELT JUG

Glade - $1.00 off Glade PlugIns Scented Oil refills

Filtrete™ - $3.00 off TWO (2) Filtrete™ Air Filters (MPR 1000 or Higher)

Crayola® - $0.50 off any Crayola® Fab Snaps™

BISSELL - $3.00 off two BISSELL Stomp 'N Go™ stain lifting pads with formula

BISSELL - $1.50 off BISSELL Stomp N Go™ stain lifting pads with formula

OFFICE SUPPLIES

ColorLok - $1.00 off HP ColorLok Paper

PERSONAL CARE

Tone® - $0.35 off any (1) Tone® Bar

Sally Hansen Nail Color - $1.00 off Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat

JASON® - $2.00 off JASON® full size body wash

Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief - $1.00 off Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief

Village Naturals Bath Shoppe® - $1.00 off any one Village Naturals Bath Shoppe® product

LISTERINE for Kids - $1.00 off any LISTERINE for Kids product

John Frieda® - $3.00 off any John Frieda® Precision Foam Colour

Conair - $5.00 off one Water Jet System from Interplak by Conair

o.b.® - $1.00 off any (1) o.b.® product (except trial size)

Efferdent - $0.75 off any Effergrip or Efferdent {these are also great for cleaning toilets!}

Tassi - $4.00 off Tassi Ultimate Hair Holder. Save Your Do When You Do Your Face! Great Gift!

LamisilAT® - $2.00 off Any One (1) LamisilAT® Product

BreathRx - $3.00 off 1 BOTTLE OF 16 oz. BreathRx Mouth Rinse

AmLactin® - $2.00 off on one AmLactin® Moisturizing Body Lotion or Cream

PET CARE

COSEQUIN® - $5.00 off on the purchase of any COSEQUIN® Product for Your Pet's Joint Health

PHOTOGRAPHY

Kodak Picture Kiosk - Free KODAK Greeting Card When you buy a KODAK Greeting Card

JCP Potrait Studio - Holiday cards as low as 59cents each. PLUS 40% off collections and $3.99 sheets!

Picture People - $18 Big Bundle Package. 25 PHOTOS OF YOUR FAVORITE POSE

Sears Portrait Studio - FREE Designer Montage & Extra 20% OFF purchase. NO SESSION FEE.

TOYS AND GAMES

Mega Bloks® - $5.00 OFF Mega Bloks® Wagon

Ding Card Game - $3.00 off one Ding Card Game

HOME ENTERTAINMENT

4 Disney Movies for $1.00 Plus Free Pluto Ornament. FREE SHIPPING on initial order with membership.

BOOKS & MAGAZINES

HEALTH Magazine - $1.00 off HEALTH magazine

COOKING LIGHT Magazine - $1.00 off COOKING LIGHT magazine

Us Weekly - $1.00 off Your Purchase of Us Weekly magazine

People StyleWatch - $1.00 off December issue of People StyleWatch

People Country - $1.00 off Off People Country Music Special

ENTERTAINMENT

DISH NETWORK - $20.00 off for 12 months includes $75 VISA Card

Shop At The eStore And Save!

2011-11-30T22:47:00.001-05:00

Right now you can purchase P&G products at the eStore and if your order is $25 or more, you will get FREE shipping! You will also save 15% by using coupon code: vocalpoint and if you are one of the first 2,000 orders, you will get two FREE sheets of holiday wrapping paper and gift tags.

Some of the products include Olay, Gillette, and Febreeze candles--which make a great gift. With prices ranging from only $0.99 and up! I love Olay and MH uses Gillette all the time, so that is definitely on my list. Add a few of the candles for my mother...

Disclaimer: This post was written for Vocalpoint who provided the complimentary images/information in exchange for my honest opinions.

Save On Wisk Brawny And Bayer

2011-11-29T22:25:00.001-05:00

The latest coupons coming out this week are below, with some pretty good savings on paper towels this week!

Wisk® - $0.75 off Wisk® Laundry Detergent

Sparkle® - $1.00 off any ONE (1) package of Sparkle® Paper Towels 6 Regular Roll or larger

BRAWNY® - $1.00 OFF ONE (1) 8-ROLL OR LARGER PACKAGE OF BRAWNY® PAPER TOWELS

Maty's - $1.00 off any Maty's Cough Syrup, Kids Cough Syrup, Baby Chest Rub or Vapor Rub Products

Bayer® - $1.00 off on any Bayer® Advanced Aspirin product

Nicorette® - $1.00 off any 20ct Nicorette® Gum

JASON® - $2.00 off JASON®full size body wash

Anchor Bay Entertainment, LLC - $5.00 off Camelot on DVD or Blu-ray™

I-35 A New Novel From Brett Selmont

2011-11-29T21:46:00.001-05:00

I-35 by Brett Selmont
{Paperback, 194 Pages, Fiction, September 2011, $11.95}

Publisher's Synopsis:
I-35 is the story of David, a loner in his late 20s from New York City who suffers from black out migraines and has a penchant for painkillers. He wakes one morning freezing in the backseat of his car 1,500 miles from home with no idea how he got there. After hearing a horrifying voice mail he embarks on a harrowing journey through America's heartland searching for his estranged brother, and his brother's wife, while attempting to piece together his own fractured memory.

Along the road David meets a cast of odd characters who become suspects in his clouded and paranoid mind. And just as the clues begin to add up, a chance encounter at a seedy Oklahoma diner leads him to Shawna--a beautiful girl, shrouded in mystery, who escorts him down a vertiginous path to the end of I-35 Highway..where a shocking truth is revealed.

Brett Selmont was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He studied at Pace University and Hunter College in NYC, and at the American University of Paris. He currently resides in Brooklyn and written for the New York Press, L magazine, Pulse of the Twin Cities, Motion Pictures Inc., Swan Soon Productions, the NY Waste and many others.

My Thoughts:
This is a very short book, but I couldn't really get into it. Maybe because it seemed so weird as the story went on. David blacks out all the time and ends up in places he has no idea how he got there and why. He meets up with Shawna in a diner and is surprised that she knows him but he can't remember her. He is also afraid for his brother who has left a desperate message on his voice mail, and can't be found anywhere. The story gets weirder and more disturbing as it unfolds, revealing a character that isn't so nice. I Rated This Book: 2.5/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Baby Magic Has Something New!

2011-11-29T20:55:00.001-05:00

I remember my mother using Baby Magic products on my little brother, who happens to be twelve years younger than me. The thing I remember the most is that I always loved the scent. It's been quite a while since then, but those products are still being sold and still smell great. In October, they released four NEW products to their baby care line:

No-Rinse Wash
Kids Magic Bubble Bath
Medicated Patty Cake
Healing Balm

I have tried these out recently and love the No-Rinse Wash! It is a self-foaming liquid that cleans without the need of water, and is safe to use on sensitive skin. It comes in a 7 fl. oz bottle that can be placed in your bag and travel everywhere. The Bubble Bath comes in a 33 fl.oz bottle in either Lavender or Bubble Gum Pop scent. The Medicated Patty Cake is a cream powder in a .38 oz compact, used for diaper rash, chafed skin, wetness, and minor irritation. It comes with several cotton pads to apply to the skin, which I have found does not work very well. The pads tend to pull apart easily. I found it much better to apply using my fingers. I have not tried the Healing Balm yet because it has not arrived. I do know it is good for Eczema and contains vitamins, aloe, oatmeal, and Shea Butter. It comes in a .5 oz. stick, making it easy to apply anywhere on the body.

All of these products come in the Fresh Baby Scent, are hypoallergenic, Paraben and Gluten free, and produced in the United States. Prices range from $3.99 to $6.99 and they can be purchased nationwide at Toys 'R Us, Babies 'R Us, and other retailers, as well as online. You should check out their website, which includes helpful information for caring for your children and more of their great products! You can find them on Facebook and Twitter also.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

A Big Welcome To My Little Niece

2011-11-29T17:44:00.001-05:00

The latest addition to our ever growing family was a girl born on November 16th and weighed in at six pounds, one ounce, and a whopping eighteen and a half inches tall.....

Save 25% At Cerra!

2011-11-28T17:25:00.001-05:00

If you aren't a member of Cerra yet, you should join! It's free to sign-up and includes all kinds of relaxing activities and products for you.

In Her Sights- {Romantic Thriller}

2011-11-28T17:01:00.001-05:00

In Her Sights by Robin Perini
{Paperback, 236 Pages, Suspense/Thriller, November 2011}

Publisher's Synopsis:
Jasmine 'Jazz' Parker, Jefferson County SWAT's only female sniper, can thread the eye of a needle with a bullet. But she carries with her a secret from her past that she thought she buried for good at the age of fifteen. Two years ago she even drove away the one man she believed she could love--ex Army Ranger turned reporter Luke Montgomery--to keep her past hidden. But now, in a fleeting second, the time it akes for one clean shot, one perfect hit, to save the life of the governor's daughter, Jazz's world begins to crumble around her.

When Luke splashes her face and name across the front page of the newspaper, a vicious enemy from her past returns seeking vengeance without compromise. Jazz is forced to turn to the one man she can never have before she and everyone she cares about pays the ultimate price.

Robin Perini is an award winning author that works for an advanced technology corporation. She instructs writing workshops and trains in competitive small-bore rifle silhouette shooting. You can find her online at www.RobinPerini.com.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed the action and suspense in this book. It left me guessing who was behind it all almost to the end. Jasmine distances herself from everyone to try to keep her past a secret. She grew up with a mother who was a prostitute and lived in a shack until the death of her mother when she was ten years old. She did fall for a man, but when she thought he would uncover her past, she left him with no explanation. Now she needs his help, which will put him, his three year old daughter and the rest of his family in danger. There is a traitor among the team, but it may be someone they would have never considered. I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Remembering You Book Blog Tour

2011-11-26T14:10:00.001-05:00

Remembering You by Tricia Goyer

Paperback
311 Pages
Fiction/Christian/General
October 2011
$14.99
Blog Tour Info

Publisher's Synopsis:
Television producer Ava Ellington cannot refuse her grandfather's last wish--that she accompany him to Europe on a tour of World War II battle sites. Ava has little interest in historical battles, but this may be her last chance to break down the barriers that have grown up between them, and she sets off, camera in hand, ready to record and report on their journey. She and Grandpa Jack are greeted in Paris by Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.

History comes alive as the group travels across Europe--from the romantic sights of Paris to the bleak battlefields of Belgium to the Austrian labor camp these men liberated so many years before--and Ava sees a side of her grandfather she's never known before. As he shares his memories of those bitter days on the battlefield, she begins to understand how his experiences in the war made him the man he is today.

Throughout the journey, Ava and Dennis are drawn together in ways neither of them expected. Can their memories of the past lead to a bright new future?

Tricia Goyer is the award-winning author of twenty-five books, many of them set during the World War II era. She has interviewed more than one hundred war veterans to make her stories come alive for her readers. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband and four children. You can find her online at www.triciagoyer.com.

Ava hasn't done anything interesting at her job in a while. When her mother asks her to travel with her grandfather to Paris, she jumps at the chance, thinking this would be the only opportunity to go during her lifetime. She mentions the story line to her boss, who thinks it would be interesting and gives her the ok to go. Ava also thinks she may be able to get closer to her grandfather, something that has slipped away over the years.

As they meet up with Paul and Dennis and tour the old sites, her grandfather tells his story of what happened all those years ago, with some prodding by Ava. It's really sad what cruelty some people are capability of and is shown in parts of this book. The characters are all likable, but Ava seems to be a bit self centered. All in all, a pretty good read. I Rated This Book: 3.5/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Watch Game Of Your Life And Win

2011-11-25T20:07:00.001-05:00

A new show will air on NBC December 2nd at 8/7c, called Game of Your Life. Here is a synopsis and more information about the giveaway!

Zach, a high school gamer who lands a scholarship to an elite video game design program, has a bright future as long as he can survive the intense freshman year project that eliminates half the class in the first three months. But when Zach learns that his father is in financial trouble, he has to make a choice that will affect his future and the lives of everyone around him. This humorous and heartfelt drama is a great reminder to kids – and all of us – that the choices they make impact the people around them.

And now the Giveaway:
Team up with everyone you know for a chance to win $5,000 for your favorite grade school or high school. All you have to do is register and watch the trailer for "Game of Your Life." It's a humorous and heartfelt video gaming drama about a promising young video game designer who has to make a choice that will affect his future and the lives of everyone around him. Then ask all your friends, family, teachers, fellow parents and PTO members – everyone you know – to watch it so they can vote for your school once a day, too. Because if any one of the people you tell wins, your school wins $5,000.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 or older as of the last day of the month prior to the date of entry. Ends 12/2/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize description, visit http://tremor.promo.eprize.com/gameofyourlife/. Void where prohibited.

Disclaimer: This post was written for Vocalpoint who provided the complimentary images/information for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Save $10 On Filtrete And More Coupons

2011-11-25T19:04:00.001-05:00

The latest coupon savings today are:

all® - $1.00 off one all® Laundry Detergent

Sally Hansen Nail Color - $1.00 off Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat

Tim McGraw or David Beckham Fragrance - $5.00 off any Tim McGraw or David Beckham Fragrance, single item or gift set (over $10.99) Redeemable at Walmart

Celine Dion or Faith Hill Fragrance - $5.00 off any Celine Dion or Faith Hill Fragrance, single item or gift set (over $10.99) Redeemable at Walmart

Beyonce or Halle Berry Fragrance - $5.00 off any Beyonce or Halle Berry Fragrance, single item or gift set (over $10.99) Redeemable at Walmart

Fleischmann's - $1.00 off 2 Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast

Filtrete™ - $10.00 off any ONE (1) Filtrete™ Water Station

Filtrete™ - $10.00 off on either ONE (1) Filtrete™ 8 Cup or ONE (1) Filtrete™ 12 Cup Water Pitcher

People StyleWatch - $1.00 off the December issue of People StyleWatch

Ace Hardware - 50% off One regular priced item under $30

(Valid at participating Ace Stores on 11/26/10 Only)

The Black Sun's Daughter- Book 4: Killing Rites & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-11-25T17:27:00.001-05:00

Killing Rites: Book 4 of The Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover

Paperback
367 Pages
$7.99
Fiction/Urban Fantasy
November 29, 2011

Publisher's Synopsis:
The enemy inside might just be her only hope.

Jayne Heller's luck had to run out sometime. After a year as the heir to a magic kingdom--even if there were monsters in it--she learned the hard way that nothing was what it seemed. It urns out Jayne isn't protected by magic courtesy or her dead uncle; she's demon-possessed.

On the run to avoid the repercussions of a crime she had no choice to commit, Jayne has whittled her group of trusted companions down to one: Ex, the former priest who may hold the key to cleansing the demon rider from her body. Her friends back in Chicago, fearing that her rider has taken the reins, try to find her, unaware that their search only puts Jayne in even greater danger.

To save herself, Jayne must overcome the weight of the past and defeat a new, unexpected enemy, but this time all she has to work with are a rogue vampire she once set free and the nameless thing hiding inside her skin.

M.L.N. Hanover is the author of The Black Sun's Daughter series and a short story appearing in the anthology Songs of Love & Death. The International Horror Guild Award-winning author lives in the American Southwest.

This was my first time reading any of this author's books and I have to say, it won't be the last! I was hooked from the very first chapter. It doesn't matter if you haven't read the previous three books, it won't leave you lost and wondering what is going on. Jayne is an interesting kick butt character. She finally realizes why she has powers--she is possessed, and the only person she trusts to help her is a former priest. They work together to try to get rid of what is possessing her, but when her friends get involved, things get even more dangerous. She is on the run, alone, and trying to rid herself of this thing before it takes control of her. FYI: Book Five will be released in May 2013! I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN all four of The Black Sun's Daughter Books (ARV $32)}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Clear Your Drains With New Drano Snake & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-11-24T22:26:00.001-05:00

We have two bathrooms, but the only drain that gets clogged is the bathtub I use because my hair falls out something awful. After unclogging, it will be good for a little while, then start running slow again. You wouldn't think I had that much hair to constantly clog the drain, but I guess I do. I've used different methods over the years: boiling water, bleach, and drain cleaners. The best results came with the drain cleaners, but I always hated to use them. I don't like to use chemicals even though it is supposed to be safe for plumbing. I received the new Drano Snake Plus Drain Cleaning Kit, which comes with a weird looking plastic tool that you slide down your drain and a bottle of Drano Gel to use afterwards. The plastic tool is 18 inches long with a easy to grip end and has several little 'nubs' running along the length of it that catch hair and other debris.

All of that came out of my drain--yuck!

So, how does it work? I used it on all three drains in our house. It was kind of hard to push down the kitchen drain and when pulling it back up, several of the 'nubs' broke off. On the bathroom sinks it was much easier and I didn't have any problem with the 'nubs' breaking. Now with the bathtub drain it was the easiest and I was shocked at how much gross stuff came up- hair and old soap scum. At a price of only $6.99, this kit worked better than any I've ever used. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with drain clogs.

{GIVEAWAY- One person will WIN a Drano Snake Plus Kit}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Save $20 On Mega Bloks Need For Speed And More!

2011-11-24T16:46:00.001-05:00

Here are several good deals for you- especially the Need for Speed mega Bloks!

Need for Speed - $20.00 off on the Mega Bloks Need for Speed

Mega Bloks - $5.00 off on a Mega Bloks Wagon

3D Breakthrough Puzzles™ - $5.00 off on all 3D Breakthrough Puzzles™ by Mega Puzzles®

Sally Hansen Nail Color - $1.00 off Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat

Tone® - $0.35 off any (1) Tone® Bar

Tone® - $1.00 off any (2) Tone® Body Washes

One A Day® - $2.00 off any One A Day® Prenatal

Find out when your goodies will be delivered from UPS--just sign up (FREE) and they will send you an e-mail letting you know when it will be delivered with tracking info. I love this and I hope FedEx will be hopping onto the idea too!

Hellmann's Turkey Challenge Week Three

2011-11-23T21:44:00.001-05:00

Week three of the Hellmann's Turkey Challenge has started! You can vote every day for your favorite recipe and be entered to win a gift card each week. All of the turkey recipes incorporate Hellmann's products in the recipe. Which one will you vote for this week? There is only one more week left!

Disclaimer: This post was written as part of a One2One Network campaign, who provided the complimentary information/images in exchange for my honest opinions.

Three Day Town

2011-11-20T22:47:00.001-05:00

Three Day Town by Margaret Maron

Hardcover
278 Pages
Fiction/Suspense
November 2011

Publisher's Synopsis:
After a year of marriage, Judge Deborah Knott and Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant are off to New York City for a long delayed honeymoon. January might not be the perfect time to take a bite of the Big Apple, but Dwight's sister in law has arranged for them to stay in her Upper West Side apartment for a week.

Deborah had been asked to deliver a package to Lieutenant Sigrid Harald of the NYPD from Sigrid's Colleton County grandmother. But when the homicide detective comes to pick it up, the package is missing and the building's super is found murdered. Now despite their desire to enjoy a blissful winter get away, Deborah and Dwight must team up with Lt. Harald to catch the killer before he strikes again.

Margaret Maron grew up on a farm near Raleigh, North Carolina, but for many years lived in Brooklyn, New York. When she returned to her North Carolina roots with her husband, she began a series based on her own background. In 2008, she received the North Carolina Award for Literature, the state's highest civilian honor. You can find her online at www.MargaretMaron.com.

Deborah and Dwight are finally taking their honeymoon, but within days are caught up in a murder investigation and a stolen art piece. They try to help the police while enjoying their vacation, but as time goes on, more people turn up dead, including a teenage boy. They seem to have it figured out, but sometimes the least likely suspect is the one who is guilty... All in all, not a bad story line that moves right along. I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Littlest Angel On DVD & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-11-19T21:57:00.001-05:00

One of the cutest classic children's books is now available on DVD! The Littlest Angel was released by Anchor Bay Entertainment on November 15th, for a retail price of $19.98.

The Littlest Angel tells the story of a young boy who arrives in heaven before his time. Home-sick and lonely, he will travel back to earth, with his friendly pup Halo, to retrieve a most selfless and precious gift for the baby Jesus. He finds that being an Angel isn't as easy as he thought it would b eand that the greatest gifts are faith, doing the right thing, and friendship. Based on the book by Charles Tazewell, released in 1946.

Visit the website for printable coloring pages, activity sheets, and Bible study guides! This is one of the cutest children's videos I've seen in a while!

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN a DVD}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

City Of Whispers

2011-11-18T22:12:00.001-05:00

City of Whispers by Marcia Muller

Hardcover
262 Pages
Fiction/Suspense
October 2011

Publisher's Synopsis:
Private eye Sharon McCone receives an e-mail asking for help from her emotionally disturbed half brother Darcy Blackhawk. She replies...but gets no response. As Sharon digs deeper, she discovers that Darcy sent his message from an internet cafe in San Francisco, a city he's never been to before. Sensing that her brother is in terrible danger, Sharon begins a search for him throughout the city.

The investigation leads her to the body of a woman at the Palace of Fine Arts, where a witness had told her where Darcy was headed. Then, as she digs deeper, Sharon uncovers a connection to the unsolved murder of a young heiress to a mutli-million dollar banking fortune. Now Sharon must race to solve both murders and ensure her brother's safety, despite the imminent danger that lurks within her own family.

Marcia Muller has written many novels and short stories. She is the recipient of the Private Eye Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award and the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award. She lives in northern California with her husband. You can find her online at www.MarciaMuller.com.

This is the latest edition to the Sharon McCone mystery series. When she receives an e-mail asking for help, Sharon wonders what her brother is up to. He has a record of doing drugs and being mentally unstable, but he has never been in California before. When he doesn't respond to her e-mail, she calls her biological mother and asks about him, and finds that her mother has seen him in a while. So tells her mother she will try to find him and see what is going on,but it proves to take much longer than expected. She thinks he just wants money for drugs, but after a while she starts to wonder if he really is in trouble. With the help of her crew, they find out that her brother may be involved in an old cold case murder. The story proceeds nicely and even though you can figure out who did what before it's revealed, it was still good. I Rated This Book: 4/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Florida Teen Featured On Cartoon Network's Adventure Time!

2011-11-17T22:53:00.001-05:00

This is a nice story....

A fourteen year old boy from Florida is having his cartoon creation, Me-Mow, a cat assassin, featured on a new episode of Adventure Time, thanks to his mother. She submitted his artwork to Cartoon Network Studios and was contacted soon after. It will air on November 21 at 8:00 pm ET. In this episode Jake vs. Me-Mow, Finn and Jake try to protect Wild Berry Princess from an assassin (Me-Mow). Jake's life is threatened, and he must decide whether he will save himself or Wild Berry Princess.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information/images.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure DVD & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-11-17T21:44:00.001-05:00

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure was released on November 8th. It is available in a 2-disc DVD and Digital Copy for only $19.99, and includes a never before seen bonus episode, glow in the dark sticker sheet and can be used with the Mickey Mote. Here is a synopsis:

Get set for a thrilling, full-length outer space adventure aboard the Clubhouse Rocket. Blast off with Mickey and his crew and race across the galaxy on an interplanetary quest for hidden out-of-this-world treasure. Twinkling treasure stars will help point the way, but first, you'll have to find them--with a little help from Toodles--and the right Mouseketools!

Meet Moon Men Chip 'n Dale, Martian Mickey from Mars, and Pluto from Pluto. But watch out for crafty Space Pirate Pete, who wants the treasure all for himself. Packed with songs and surprises, and the never before seen episode, Goofy's Thinking Cap.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse premieres on the Disney Channel and helps children learn shapes, counting, memory, and problem solving skills using social and creative learning. You can find out more and purchase online at www.Disney.com/MickeyMouseClubhouseDVD.

{GIVEAWAY- One person will WIN a copy of this DVD}

How to Enter:
1) Just fill in Easy Entry on Rafflecopter Form
2) Then fill in all bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Code Blood

2011-11-17T21:12:00.001-05:00

Code Blood by Kurt Kamm

Paperback
233 Pages
Fiction/Thriller
November 2011

Publisher's Synopsis:
Body parts, blood, fetishism...

Colt Lewis, a rookie fire paramedic, is obsessed with finding the severed foot of his first victim after she dies. His search pulls him into the connected lives of a graduate research student with the rarest blood in the world and the vampire fetishist who is stalking her. Within the corridors of high-stakes medical research laboratories, the shadow world of body parts dealers, and the underground Goth clubs of Los Angeles, Lewis uncovers a tangled maze of needles, drugs, and maniacal ritual, all of which lead to death--but whose death? An unusual and fast-paced LA Noir thriller.

Kurt Kamm was Chairman of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Foundation at UCLA for six years. He lives in Malibu. You can find him online at www.KurtKamm.com.

I thought this story was pretty good and the action kept moving at a pretty good pace. Colt is a fire paramedic and while trying to help a girl whose foot has been cut off by a telephone pole, he develops a bond with her and vows that he will find her foot that has come up missing. She later dies from the blood loss, but he doesn't give up. Markus is an Albino who is very good at working with computers. He is also in the Goth culture, vampires, and drinking blood. His girlfriend is a stripper that is covered with tattoos. They happened to be at the accident scene that day and Markus took the foot home and placed it in his freezer. Collecting body parts eventually gets him in trouble when he can't pay off his bill to the Russian owner of a funeral parlor. But he believes he has the answer, to get the blood of a fellow employee, with one of the rarest blood types in the world, and sell it. So where will his obsession lead and will Colt get the foot from him? I Rated This Book: 3.5/5 Stars.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Win a Kindle Touch for YOU and a Friend from Tricia Goyer!

2011-11-16T14:46:00.000-05:00

Enter 11/16 - 11/29. RSVP for Facebook Party on 11/29!

Blog Post:Title: Win a Kindle Touch for YOU and a Friend from Tricia Goyer!Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her novel, Remembering You, with a KINDLE Touch Giveaway for you ... and for the friend of your choice. Then on 11/29 she'll be wrapping up the release of Remembering You with a Book Chat Party!

During the first half of the party Tricia will be chatting, sharing a sneak peek of her next book, and giving away a ton of great stuff. Then she'll head over to her website for a Live Chat! Readers will be able to chat with Tricia via video or text.

Don't miss your chance to win a Kindle Touch for yourself ... and to "remember" a friend this holiday with a Kindle Touch for them!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

A Brand New Kindle Touch and a Kindle Touch for a Friend (winner's choice!)
A copy of Remembering You by Tricia Goyer for each

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 29th. Winner will be announced at Remembering You Facebook Party on 11/29. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away copies of her other WWII books and gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com. So grab your copy of Remembering You and join Tricia on the evening of the 29th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information/images in exchange for my honest opinions.

Winter Videos From NCircle With Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-11-16T01:12:00.001-05:00

NCircle Entertainment has released two DVDs perfect for the cold winter months: The Cat in the Hat Know A Lot About That- Told From the Cold and Chloe's Closet- Chloe's Winter Wonderland. Both can be purchased for $9.99 at a retailer near you or online and are about 40-45 minutes long.

For The Cat in the Hat fans, you can join along to find out how water turns into snow, why penguins don't fly, black bears get ready to hibernate, and when the weather gets cold, the snow gets deep. It includes four stories: Snowman's Land, Flight of the Penguin, A Long Winter's Nap, and Reindeer Games.

In Chloe's Winter Wonderland, kids will learn math skills, and sing along to favorite songs and a bonus music video. Chloe likes to play dress up, and with each new costume she wears, she goes on a journey with her best friends. The four episodes include: Ice Skater, Snow Princess, Ice Hockey Player, and Snow Skier.

Both of these videos are very cute and get you a little excited about the cold weather and possible snow ahead. Your young children will enjoy watching them over and over again.

{GIVEAWAY--One person will WIN both of these DVDs}

How to Enter:
1) Leave a Blog Comment below answering Mandatory Question
2) Then fill in all entries + bonus entries on Rafflecopter Form

♥Read More♥

Topricin Pain Relief And Healing Cream

2011-11-16T00:58:00.001-05:00

I'm not one to take pain medicine and if I do, it is for a very limited time. I prefer to use a heating pad or other methods to get rid of pain. I've unfortunately had the chance to use Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream a few times for shoulder and neck pain, which I get quite often because of Scoliosis in my neck and degenerative discs. Having whiplash a few times doesn't help much either! Most of the time my pain is irritating but not debilitating. Meaning I can tolerate it but it is unpleasant.

I rubbed in a little of the cream and waited to see if I would have any results. I have to note that it is odorless and non-staining, so you don't have to worry about smelling like a medicine cabinet or ruining your clothes. About thirty minutes later the pain was decreased and within an hour I didn't notice any pain at all and it didn't come back for the rest of the night. So, yes, it did work for me on my shoulder/neck pain.

There are several other products in the Topricin line, including Topricin Junior-made especially for children, and Topricin Foot Therapy Cream. All are paraben and drug free and have a 30-day money back guaranteed. They can be used for carpal tunnel syndrome, joint and lower back pain, bruises, strains, sprains, and more. The Junior is also good for bug bites, sunburn, poison ivy, poison oak, Eczema, and Psoriasis! It contains 14 safe, natural ingredients that naturally support and assist the body to reduce inflammation, detoxify and stimulate blood flow that increases oxygenation of the skin to speed healing and relieve all aches and pains.

You may have seen advertising on tv news and the Rachel Ray Show. Where can you purchase? At stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Wegman's, and Meijer. For the location nearest you, use the store locator, or order online at the website. A 2 oz. tube retails for $16.95, and a 1.5 oz. tube of Junior retails for $12.99. You can also purchase a Boo Boos Happen First Aid Kit for $19.99, which includes Topricin Junior, 20 adhesive bandages, 3 markers to decorate the bandages and a blue zippered bag to store it in. Get 25% off the price by entering promo code: BOO25. You can find videos and more information on the website also.

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

'Digital Maturity' Reveals Tweens Online Behavior

2011-11-15T23:38:00.001-05:00

This is a guest post.

AMSTERDAM-- In today’s tech-centric society, children, tweens and teens are spending more time online than ever before. To develop a better understanding of how this impacts the lives of today’s youth, AVG Technologies, a leading provider of Internet and mobile security, established Digital Diaries, a series of studies that examines technology habits in different age groups. AVG today shares the results of Digital Maturity, the fourth installment of research commissioned by AVG, which studies the digital life cycle of children.

Above all, Digital Maturity reveals that while the average 11-year-old isn’t managing a stock portfolio or paying the mortgage online, his or her online activity closely mirrors that of an adult’s in many other respects, specifically regarding the length of time spent on connected mobile devices and overall time spent on social networks and online gaming.

The result: tweens are forced into complex social situations that require adult reasoning – long before they’re ready.

'Technologically speaking, today’s kids can walk the walk, but they can’t talk the talk,' said JR Smith, CEO of AVG Technologies. 'They might run circles around their parents when it comes to using computers, but they don’t know what to do when they get bullied or harassed or swindled. Often they can’t even see it happening to them. This kind of thing can scar a person for life.'

As a matter of context, the first segment of AVG’s Digital Diaries Research, entitled Digital Birth and released in October 2010, found that most babies and toddlers have an online footprint by the time they are six months old; Digital Skills revealed that preschoolers commonly master tech skills before basic life skills, such as tying shoes; and Digital Playgroundsuggested that 51 percent of six- to nine-year-olds frequent children’s social sites but are generally unprepared for the dangers lurking within them.

Who Knows Best?
Digital Maturity shows that barely one in twenty parents (seven percent) believe their 10- to 13-year-old is better informed about the Internet than they are. Fathers are more likely to say they know the most about the Internet, with only two percent crediting their children with knowing more.

Yet, most parents seem not to know what their children actually do online. While almost three quarters (72 percent) of parents have logged into their children’s computers without their kids’ knowledge and with the intent to gauge their behavior, a significant 41 percent of parents allow 10- to 13-year-olds to have a PC in their bedroom, indicating there is often no consistent, real-time parental supervision in place.

In addition, today’s 10-13 year olds are accessing the Internet away from home – or wherever they happen to be with their mobile devices. More than 50 percent of 10-year-olds and 65 percent of 13-year-olds use social media on their mobile phones. Digital Maturity found the average slightly higher in the U.S., with 56 percent of American kids between the ages of 10 and 13 networking online via their own mobile device, compared to just 14 percent of Japanese kids of the same age. Beyond networking via the Internet, 43 percent of 10-13-year-olds spend on average more than two hours a day texting.

Furthermore, the current generation will likely spend little time accessing the Internet with a traditional desktop with a keyboard and monitor. Almost 50 percent of 13 year olds have access to a web-enabled tablet device and nearly all (92 percent) of 10-13 year olds in the U.S. use gaming consoles to game and connect with friends.

All Things Social
While the survey suggests that a majority of parents (93 percent) feel they are savvier about the Internet than their children, there is also plenty more room for concern. A staggering 62 percent of parents admit their 10- to 13-year-olds have access to mainstream social networks, despite those networks’ established age restrictions. While the minimum age to join Facebook is 13, nearly half (47 percent) of parents of 10-year-olds and more than half (53 percent) of 11-year-olds say their children are on mainstream social media sites. Twenty-five percent of 13-year-olds spend more than an hour a day on social networks.

'Adults often take for granted the decades of training we call upon every time we engage with other people,' continued Smith. 'And not even we can navigate social situations with perfect ease. Above all, Digital Maturity should encourage parents – and by extension every adult in the proverbial village – to help tweens face online networks with confidence and the safety to speak up when things go awry.'

In the coming weeks, AVG will release additional findings from the latest installment of the Digital Diaries series and provide tips parents can implement to help their children stay safe and smart online.

About AVG 'Digital Diaries' Campaign
The first stage of AVG’s Digital Diaries campaign, 'Digital Birth,' covered children from birth to age 2. The study, released in October 2010, found that on average infants acquire a digital identity by the age of 6-months-old. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of children have even had their pre-birth scans uploaded to the Internet by their parent – having a digital footprint even before birth. The second stage, 'Digital Skills,' was released in January 2011 to show that for 2- to 5-year-olds ‘tech’ skills are increasingly replacing ‘life’ skills. In fact, many toddlers could use a mouse and play a computer game, but could not ride a bike, swim or tie their shoelaces. 'Digital Playground,' released in June, found nearly half of 6- to 9-year-olds talk to friends online and use social networks. Research for all stages of the Digital Diaries series was conducted by Research Now on behalf of AVG Technologies.

About AVG
AVG is a global security software maker protecting more than 100 million active users in 170 countries from the ever-growing incidence of Web threats, viruses, spam, cyber-scams and hackers on the Internet. AVG has nearly two decades of experience in combating cybercrime and advanced laboratories for detecting, pre-empting and combating Web-borne threats from around the world. Its free, downloadable software allows novice users to have basic anti-virus protection and then easily upgrade to greater levels of safety and defense when they are ready. AVG has a strong reseller network consisting of resellers, partners and distributors globally including; CNET, Ingram Micro, and Wal-Mart.
www.avg.com

Keep in touch with AVG
For breaking news, follow AVG on Twitter at www.twitter.com/officialAVGnews

For small business security trends analysis, follow the AVG small business blog at http://small-business.blog.avg.com/
Join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/AVGfree
Join our LinkedIn community

Disclaimer: This was a guest post and the views expressed are not necessarily mine.

The Muppet Saga

2011-11-15T23:19:00.001-05:00

I thought this was funny....the Muppet Saga, with Miss Piggie, Kermit, and Rowlf. Don't forget their new movie opens in theaters on November 23rd!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary information/images for this post in exchange for my honest opinions.

Hellmann's Turkey Challenge Week Two

2011-11-15T23:00:00.001-05:00

This is the second week of the Hellmann's Turkey Challenge. Each week they showcase one of their turkey recipes and have two other recipes listed that you may like even more than the turkey. You can vote each day for your favorite and possibly win a $250 gift Card! They pick four winners each week.

This weeks picks are Super Moist Roasted Turkey, Super Moist & Creamy Mashed Potatoes, and Creamy Cheddar Broccoli. I had to go with the last one because that is what I was in the mood for today. FYI, Turkey Casserole won lasts week votes. Good luck!

Disclaimer: This post was written for the One2One Network, who provided the complimentary information/images for this post in exchange for my honest opinions and an entry to win a gift card.