Susan Heim on Parenting

Would You Like to Win a Toyota Camry -- and Another for a Friend? Keep Reading…

2012-02-02T17:40:00.000-05:00

How would you like to win a new 2012 Toyota Camry? I would! Toyota USA just introduced their new “Camry Effect a Friend” Giveaway, which allows you to enter to win one new 2012 Camry, plus another for a friend! Check out their new “Connections” TV commercial, which will make its on-air premiere during NBC’s live broadcast this Sunday, Feb. 5!

[Email subscribers, please click on the title of this post to view the video online.]

So, what’s the “Camry Effect”? It’s Toyota’s new social media initiative developed to unite the nearly seven million Camry drivers in this country through an interactive, online experience. The Camry Effect provides past and present Camry owners a platform to share their stories, moments and memories from over the past 30 years.

Everyone who watches the commercial on Sunday will have a chance to enter the giveaway that day, but here’s more great news! You can start entering today and every day through February 5th for 5 extra entries! Just go to www.toyota.com/camryeffect/ to register and share your story. And be sure to watch the live airing on Sunday for your final opportunity to enter to win a new Toyota Camry for you and your friend!

DISCLOSURE: No products or compensation were exchanged for this post.

Heavenly Handmade Soaps from Turtle River Soap Company, Plus a Giveaway!

2012-02-02T08:00:00.015-05:00

I knew as soon as I opened my mailbox that my Turtle River Soaps had arrived. They smelled SO good! I was in heaven opening up the package and unwrapping the 100% natural handmade soaps inside. My kids came over to see what smelled so good, and they insisted that I use the “Fairy Farts” soap first! I could have predicted that from two 8-year-old boys… Fortunately, fairy farts smell wonderful as this soap is made with jasmine, rose, and ylang ylang. I’ve been using this soap daily and absolutely love it. It lathers up like a dream and continues to smell delicious. Here are some of the other Turtle River Soaps I received that smell just as scrumptious, along with their main ingredients:

Get Lucky! vanilla and lavender
Rescue Me! sea salt bar with cucumber and lavender
Check the Girls: grapefruit and bergamot
Scrubby Bar: tangerine and rosewood with scrubs
Indulgence: a chocolate mint delight!
HUGS! floral with a hint of citrus and ginger

This is just a small sampling of the products from Turtle River Soap Company. They all have fun names, such as Swamp Buggy, Turtle Tracks, Trippy Hippy, and Hair of the Dog! (Thankfully, that last one does NOT smell like a wet dog; it’s for washing your dog!)

I’ve been storing my Turtle River Soaps in the cupboard where I keep my bathroom towels so they will smell great, too! Or you might want to keep a few soaps out on your vanity because they look as pretty as they smell! Turtle River Soaps have become my new favorite bathtime indulgence. Be sure to visit them at www.turtleriversoaps.com. When you purchase at least 5 bars of soap, you receive $1 off each bar! Click here to follow Turtle River Soap Company on Facebook, too!

GIVEAWAY FROM TURTLE RIVER SOAP COMPANY!

From February 2 through February 17, 2012, Turtle River Soap Company is giving away five (5) bars of soap of your choosing from TurtleRiverSoaps.com! U.S. residents only; no purchase necessary.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I Love You More … Than Chocolate: An Author Interview and a Book/CD Giveaway!

2012-02-01T06:58:00.023-05:00

I’m pleased to announce that Susan Heim on Parenting is a stop on the blog tour for the lovely children’s book and accompanying CD, I Love You More … Than Chocolate, by Melanie Milburn. Following is an exclusive interview with an author, a video of her singing the song, and a giveaway so you can win a copy, too!

How did you get the idea for this book?
When my daughter was a little girl, I would read to her every night. This was always a very special time for us. It was a time to simply focus on her and get in some precious cuddle time. When we had finished reading, we always played the “I Love You More” game. It only had 2 rules: It had to be something that rhymed (always the teacher) and it had to be something we loved. For example, “I love you more than a day at the zoo, I love you more than the color blue,” etc. I would always end it with “Well, I love you more than … chocolate!!” My kids knew I was a chocoholic so they knew they were really, really loved. Later, the nightly ritual became a song, and then about a year and a half ago, I thought, “You know, this song would make a really sweet book.”

I understand that this book includes a CD with you singing this book as a song. Which came first -- the song or the book? [Check out the video at the end of this interview to see Melanie singing this song!]
The song came first. This is my first book, but I have been writing songs for over 20 years.

How important is it that children feel truly loved by their parents?
It is very important. Studies have shown that children need human touch and interaction to develop properly. Newborns who are not held, cuddled, and loved do not thrive. When children feel loved, they feel secure. When children feel secure, they grow in their self-confidence. When children feel confident, they grow up to be successful. When children feel loved and secure, they also grow up not feeling afraid to show their love to others.

How can parents use this book to communicate with their children?
The book is about a mom’s love for her children, but it is also about the mom’s love for chocolate. Because most children love chocolate, it is an easy way for a child to understand the meaning of love and an easy way for parents to express their love.

Do any other authors or songwriters inspire your work?
Many songwriters inspire me. I love songs that are simple and get stuck in your head. I also love songs that speak to my heart. As a preschool teacher, I love books that are fun, but also teach.

What are your future plans?
I will continue to be the Director/lead teacher at New Horizons Educational Environment for now. I also hope to write several more children’s books, and I love to travel with my amazing husband, Joe, and share my songs with children and families.

Where can we purchase your book or find more information?
You can go to my web site, www.melaniemilburn.com, to purchase my book or any of my 4 CDs. You can also purchase my book on Amazon.com, Maria’s Bookstore in Durango, Colorado, or email me!

[Email subscribers, please click on the title of this post to view the video online.]

GIVEAWAY

One lucky person will win a copy of the book and accompanying CD, I Love You More … Than Chocolate, by Melanie Milburn! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crazy Cupid Love Giveaway Hop: Enter to Win “I Don’t Know How She Does It” (Blu-Ray) Starring Sarah Jessica Parker!

2012-02-01T00:02:00.007-05:00

Welcome to the Crazy Cupid Love Giveaway Hop hosted by Sweep Tight and Just Married with Coupons. Our goal with this contest is to make it super easy for you to hop around to the participating blogs and enter to win great prizes. Each blog features a prize worth at least $10 and only two simple entry methods! So, after entering my giveaway below, be sure to check out the linky below the Rafflecopter form and start hopping. Now on to my giveaway!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive the new movie, I Don’t Know How She Does It, on Blu-Ray Disc! About this movie:

Trying to balance work and family is a non-stop juggling act for Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker). As a determined Boston-based finance executive, she devotes her day to her job and her night to her adoring husband Richard (Greg Kinnear) and their two young children. In between conference calls, meetings, deadlines, and her daughter’s school bake sale, Kate manages to survive on a daily basis. But when she gets handed a major new account that will require frequent trips to New York, and Richard also wins the new job he’s been hoping for, both will be spreading themselves even thinner. Complicating matters is Kate’s charming new business associate Jack Abelhammer (Pierce Brosnan), a handsome executive whose unexpected emotional support becomes a source of refuge. Visit http://howshedoesitmovie.com to learn more about this terrific movie!

If you’ve got a Blu-Ray player, and this sounds like your crazy life, you’ll want to enter this giveaway! This super-easy contest only has two ways to enter (and neither are mandatory), which gives you plenty of time to hop around to the other blogs participating in the Crazy Cupid Love Giveaway Hop. You’ll find them in the linky after the Rafflecopter. Tweet this contest daily for more entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this disc, which I am donating for this giveaway.

New Valentine’s Day Products and a Tasty Giveaway from Hershey’s!

2012-01-31T21:00:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that I’m a chocolate lover, and it just wouldn’t seem like Valentine’s Day without some of this sweet confection! Of course, HERSHEY'S has always been in a Valentine’s frame of mind with their chocolate KISSES and HUGS, but they’ve gone even further this year with some wonderful new Valentine’s products!

For faraway friends and family:

HERSHEY’S KISSES Picture Box

The HERSHEY’S KISSES Picture Box and the REESE’S Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures Picture Box have a picture frame on top of the box so you can insert a photo for a special treat. Imagine the look on grandparents’ faces when they see their grandchild smiling up at them from their candy box!

For your child’s teacher:

HERSHEY’S Golden Apple Pencil Can

Surprise your child’s teacher with a HERSHEY’S Golden Apple or a TWIZZLERS Strawberry Twists Pencil Can!

For your friends and coworkers:

REESE’S Peanut Butter Hearts Valentine’s Exchange

Many HERSHEY’S products come in a Valentine’s Exchange variety bag, which sports a “To” and “From” section right on the packaging. They double as a Valentine’s card and a yummy treat!

I love the new HERSHEY’S Valentine’s Day products! For more information, visit www.hersheys.com/celebrate/valentines. On their site, you’ll also find great Valentine’s crafts, eCards, recipes, and the history of Valentine’s Day!

GIVEAWAY

HERSHEY'S is generously donating 1 bag of HERSHEY’S KISSES and 1 bag of HERSHEY’S HUGS to one lucky winner! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. This contest is open to US residents only and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Build-a-Bear Fun Packs and Trading Cards Have Arrived Just in Time for Valentine’s Day!

2012-01-31T11:24:00.000-05:00

If you’re looking for a cute Valentine’s Day gift idea for your kids -- and want to avoid bringing more candy into the house! -- you’ll want to check out this new product: Build-a-Bear Workshop Fun Pack plus Furry Friend! This cute little package contains one of 12 little furry friends, a shirt, fabric stickers, a friendship heart, 3 trading cards, a collector’s guide with activities, and an online code so kids can play online at bearville.com! The bears are mini-versions of those you’ll find in a Build-a-Bear store. We received a little black teddy bear named Dimples. He’s so cute! Besides bears, they have kitties and bunnies, too!

The Build-a-Bear Workshop Fun Packs are also great for kids to trade with their friends. The suggested retail price is just $5.99, and they’re available at Target, Walmart, Toys R Us and other popular retailers. You can also purchase the Build-a-Bear Workshop Trading Card Fun Packs! Each pack is only $1.99 and contains 2 Trading Cards, a Tattoo Set, a Scratch-Off Activity Card, and a bearville.com online code card. Hand these out for Valentine’s Day or save them for your children’s Easter baskets! We’re going to attach card packs to kids’ birthday gifts.

If your children love Build-a-Bear, then they’ll be delighted with these new little Furry Friends and Trading Cards on Valentine’s Day! Pick up some additional sets for their friends so they can swap them, play with them, and enjoy online games, too.

Eating Light: A New Bookazine from Hearst with Easy Recipes for Meals That Are 400 Calories or Less!

2012-01-31T10:21:00.000-05:00

I love the bookazines from Hearst! They’re a combination of a cookbook and a magazine. I told you recently about a wonderful Hearst bookazine that was available for the holidays, and now they’ve released a new one just in time to meet our New Year’s weight-loss goals: Eating Light: 400 Calories or Less! The 118 easy recipes in this volume were developed and tested by the editors of Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and Country Living. The recipes are sorted into sections titled Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn.

The Winter recipes include comfort foods that will keep you warm on a cold night, such as Roast Chicken Noodle Soup, Beer-Braised Pork Chops, and Shepherd’s Pie. Spring recipes take advantage of the vegetables and herbs that are popping up in our gardens. Make delicious Grilled Swordfish Kabobs or a Spanish Omelet! Grilling is in for the Summer, with recipes like Shrimp Burgers and Spiced Chicken Skewers. And welcome Autumn with mouth-watering delights like Pork & Gingered Apples, Crab Cakes, and Vegetable Lo Mein.

I love all of the bonus features in Eating Light. They include:

52 Diet Tips for 2012
Diet-Friendly Dining Out
The Drinking-Diet Connection
7 Ways to Blast That Belly
Sweet Stuff (Desserts)

Eating Light: 400 Calories or Less! is ideal for helping you to meet your weight-loss goals without having to dig up intricate recipes or sacrificing taste. Each recipe includes the calorie count and a beautiful full-color photo of what you can expect! This bookazine is a must-have for starting the new year out right. Eating Light is on newsstands now and costs just $9.99! It can also be downloaded on Zinio when you CLICK HERE.

Cook with Your Kids and Enter to Win BIG from Uncle Ben’s! #BensBeginners

2012-01-31T09:41:00.000-05:00

I’ve always loved how children get excited about eating and trying new foods when they’re involved in the food preparation process. Of course, it’s not too difficult to get them to eat Christmas cookies after they’ve helped you to bake and decorate them. It’s a little more of an accomplishment to get them to eat hard-boiled eggs after they’ve dyed them for Easter. But what about vegetables? That’s the real challenge! We recently started a garden outside (living in south Florida has its advantages), and we’re always thrilled to see the excitement in our boys’ eyes when they’re able to pick and eat their own food. When my son Austen was eating the cucumbers he’d grown the other day, you’d have thought he’d just been handed a bag of candy! He’s also made his own salads with the lettuce, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes we’ve grown. He can’t wait to run out to his garden after he gets home from school to see if something has ripened enough to be picked and eaten.

But even if you’re not able to grow a garden, especially during the winter, you can still get your kids involved in preparing food with you in the kitchen. With proper supervision at all times, they can help you gather ingredients, measure them, and mix them together. Cooking rice with children is always fun because they get a big kick out of seeing how those hard little pieces of rice turn into fluffy mounds of “yumminess” just by boiling them on the stove. Show them how they can make hundreds of meal combinations with rice by adding different vegetables, meats or sauces to it.

I’m sure you recognize Uncle Ben’s as the company that helps you serve up all kinds of wonderful rice dishes. My kids love Uncle Ben’s rice mixes. In fact, we have some in our pantry right now! My favorite flavor is their Country Inn Chicken & Wild Rice. It is so easy to make, and our whole family gobbles it up. To celebrate the joy of cooking with kids, Uncle Ben’s is hosting the Ben’s Beginners contest! This fun contest is for parents with children ages 5-12. To enter, you just submit a 2-3 minute video of yourself cooking a rice-based dish with your children. Your video could win $20,000, along with a $50,000 grant toward a cafeteria makeover for your child’s school! You even have a chance to appear on The Rachael Ray Show!

To get more details about the Ben’s Beginners contest and to submit your family’s video, just CLICK HERE to visit their Facebook page. Check out a sample video, tips, and recipes. The last day for submissions is February 26, 2012. Have fun making some delicious rice dishes with your kids. You may be surprised at what they’ll eat when they’ve made it themselves!

DISCLOSURE: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Uncle Ben’s blogging program for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Make It Fun for Everyone with “Family Game Night 4: The Game Show” for Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360! #FGN4

2012-01-30T12:11:00.000-05:00

Our “family game nights” at home usually involve board games because I just can’t compete with the kids when it comes to most video games! But we recently discovered a video game at which I actually feel competitive! It’s called Family Game Night 4: The Game Show, and it’s available for Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360. We’ve been having a ball with the Wii version. Based on the hit TV show, Family Game Night 4: The Game Show includes the following games:

CONNECT 4 Basketball

YAHTZEE! Bowling

SCRABBLE Flash

SORRY! Sliders

BOP-IT Boptagon

Just like the show, players win MONOPOLY Crazy Cash after each game, and the player with the most cash at the end wins! You can opt to play all five games to compete for the championship or just select individual games that you love. I usually have a chance at beating my boys in SCRABBLE Flash and YAHTZEE! Bowling. But they beat me every time in CONNECT 4 Basketball and BOP-IT Boptagon! We all seem to have a chance at winning in SORRY! Sliders because it’s more of a chance game.

My kids also love the funny antics of the game’s host, Mr. Potato Head! If you’re looking for a fun video game that “kids” of all ages can play together, you’ll definitely want to check out Family Game Night 4: The Game Show from Electronic Arts. It’s easy to learn and so much fun to play together!

Connect with Electronic Arts on…
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eaplay
Twitter: www.twitter.com/eaplay
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/eaplay

DISCLOSURE: Thanks to Electronic Arts for providing a complimentary copy of this game for my honest review.

FarmMatch: A Fun and Free iPhone App for the Whole Family!

2012-01-30T10:21:00.000-05:00

I may have told you before, but my daughter is a car sleeper. It can be the seven minutes it takes to get to her grandparents or the twenty-minute drive it takes to get to town... It doesn’t matter ... she falls asleep! I have a really hard time keeping her awake. I have tried music, DVDs, talking, singing, rolling down the windows ... nothing seems to work when she is “in the zone.” It makes for hard times when she falls asleep late in the day and it results in a delayed bedtime and a cranky start the next morning.

So, I was very excited to try out the Farm Match iPhone App with Sadie. I was hoping that if it really required her attention to play, it would help get us from point A to point B with her awake! Since turning 4, she has become more interested in computer games and hand-held devices, along with all the other technology around her on a daily basis.

We played the game together at home first, and she loved it right away. (I thought it was fun, too!) I loved that it wasn’t just a game but that she was also learning to match and to think with her memory. It has helped a lot in the car as it keeps her attention and interest, and it’s simple enough that she can do it by herself in the back seat. It has even been great as an activity for her and my 18-month-old niece to play. At different ages, they can still enjoy the same game in different ways. We all love it! I hope you’ll check out this free app on iTunes!

DISCLOSURE: This is my honest opinion of this product. Blogtricity also provided me with a discount code to Growing Tree Toys as a thank-you for taking the time to review this product.

In the Spotlight: LaVonne of Long Wait for Isabella

2012-01-29T09:00:00.034-05:00

Welcome to the new series on Susan Heim on Parenting called “In the Spotlight”! Each Sunday I’ll be posting an interview with a blogger so you can get to know her or him better. LaVonne from “Long Wait for Isabella” is this week’s featured blogger! If you’d like to be included in this feature, please email me at smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com with your name, blog name, and URL. Put “In the Spotlight” in the subject line. Now, here’s LaVonne from Long Wait for Isabella!

What are the best and worst things about being a parent?
The best thing about being a parent to me is the immense and immediate love you feel for your child when they are born (even before, of course). It has enabled me to get just a small glimpse of how much God must love me. The worst thing about being a parent is realizing your own inadequacies. (Maybe that is a good thing though, right?) I pray for patience and love every day!

What would be your idea of a dream vacation?
For Christmas of 2010, we went to Oahu and had a great time. It was busy, though. We planned a lot of fun activities. But I realized the most fun we had was when we simply played on the beach in the sand and ocean. So my new dream vacation is to go back to Hawaii and visit the island of Kauai and just relax on the beach the entire time.

What talent do you wish you had and why?
I really wish I could be more crafty. I know it just takes practice, but it also takes time. I wish I just had the talent already, without all the practice. (That sounds lazy, doesn’t it?) What I really want is to know how to sew well. I dream of things I could sew.

What are your favorite pizza toppings?
I am a simple woman. Give me cheese and olives, and I am happy.

If someone offered you $1,000 to eat an earthworm, would you do it?
This is such a funny question because we recently visited the Insectarium in New Orleans, where they served bugs to eat. My husband tried the Chocolate Chip with Crickets Cookies, but I wouldn’t. He asked if I would try it for $100. I emphatically told him no. He laughed and said, “You’d better!” So would I eat an earthworm for $1,000? No way! And my husband, I am sure, would not be happy with that answer.

What has been the most memorable day of your life so far?
I know I should say my wedding. That was a very memorable day. But it went by in a blur and was kind of stressful. The day I gave birth was amazing! Truly. I gave birth naturally at a Birth Center with a midwife, and it was an awesome experience. Growing that baby in my belly and then seeing her for the first time -- unbelievable!

What book has influenced you the most?
The Bible has influenced me the most. When I turned 20 and was thinking about marrying my boyfriend (my now husband), I realized that for our relationship to work, I need God to be a part of it. The Bible has radically changed my life from that point on. My husband and I are going to celebrate our 13th anniversary this year, and he is now an ordained minister.

What food would you find difficult to give up if you were stranded on a desert island?
Chocolate -- do I have to say anything else?

What movies have made you cry?
The Notebook -- I saw this one three times in the theater and bawled like a baby every time.
Toy Story 3 -- It always makes me cry, even though I know what happens, and it is just a silly kids’ movie.

About LaVonne:
LaVonne Long is the author of Long Wait for Isabella. Traveling on the road eight months out of the year for her husband’s job is never dull. You will find many posts on her blog about parenting a preschooler and traveling. She works part-time as her husband’s secretary, loves blogging, social media, organic, natural and frugal living. You can find LaVonne at:

Blog: www.longwaitforisabella.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LongWaitForIsabella
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/longwait4bella
Google+: https://plus.google.com/118431882705805224283/posts

A Special Valentine’s Offer from LittleMissMatched!

2012-01-29T08:00:00.003-05:00

LittleMissMatched is a great place to shop for Valentine’s Day! I love all of the heart merchandise they carry, like the following…

Heart to Heart 4-Piece Toddler Bedding Set

Change Purse, Large Hearts

Hearts Flannel Pajama Set

Hearts Slide Slippers

Heart to Heart Paper Wall Decals

And for the next week, you can enjoy this special free shipping offer from LittleMissMatched!

SPECIAL OFFER: Enjoy free shipping on $50+ at LittleMissMatched with the code ONEMOMFS. Offer expires on 2/6/12 at 9 PM EST. This offer can only be used for online orders. Sorry, this offer can't be applied to previous purchases and can't be combined with other promotions, discounts or promotional codes.

CLICK HERE to head over to LittleMissMatched to do your Valentine’s Day shopping and enjoy free shipping with your $50 purchase!

Free Gourmet Cinnamon and Baking eBook at The Prepared Pantry!

2012-01-28T18:36:00.000-05:00

For a limited time, The Prepared Pantry is offering 4 ounces (about one cup) of free Korintje Cassia Cinnamon -- just pay shipping of $2.99. This excellent quality cinnamon usually sells for $6.49, plus shipping. At just $2.99, this is cheaper than most grocery store brands, and the quality is so much better.

To get the free cinnamon, CLICK HERE and put it in your shopping cart, and then enter FreeCinn125 at the checkout.

And while you’re there, get a free e-book, How to Bake: The Art and Science of Baking. This is the most comprehensive downloadable home baking guide you have ever seen! They will email you a chapter a week for eight weeks. Just click on the banner below. Happy baking!

Winners for the Week of January 22, 2012

2012-01-28T15:02:00.000-05:00

A big high-five to this week’s winners! Be sure to check the right sidebar for more great giveaways. I’ve also added new “follow me” buttons to the upper left sidebar so it’s easy to subscribe and never miss another contest!

CHINESE NEW YEAR HOP - SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD (4-DISC COMBO PACK)

Congratulations to the winner: Lily K.!

TABER IS BEAUTIFUL, BY SAMANTHA DEGRASSE

Congratulations to the winner: exotic1!

$25 GIFT PACK OF GRAB A SCAB FABRIC PATCHES

Congratulations to the winner: Sylvia!

$30 GIFT CARD TO BOBIAM ARTISTIC STREETWEAR

Congratulations to the winner: Valerie Taylor Mabrey!

Super Saturday Giveaway Linky (January 28, 2012)

2012-01-27T23:01:00.002-05:00

Happy weekend to everyone! I hope you have some special plans. If you’re featuring any great giveaways on your blog or website, please list them in the linky below. And if you love to win prizes, be sure to click through on those listed here. You’ll also want to check out the fantastic giveaways I have listed on my right sidebar. Have a great weekend!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Winchell Mountain Coffee and Sandra Boynton! (GIVEAWAY)

2012-01-26T18:21:00.000-05:00

I recently discovered Winchell Mountain Coffee, and it is SO good! They’re very selective about which beans they use in their coffees, and their products are vacuum-packed into one-way goglio valve bags for premium freshness! I can really taste the difference when I drink Winchell Mountain Coffee. Most other coffees seem “blah” in comparison. My husband and I have especially enjoyed their Wide Awake Coffee in the mornings. The package describes it as “a bold and zesty premium blend,” and that is right on target! It has a very rich and robust flavor that really helps us get started in the morning.

If you like your coffee a little milder, Winchell Mountain Coffee has something for you, too. Their Beach Blend Coffee is “a mellow moca java” that still tastes amazing but isn’t quite as bold as the Wide Awake. Or you may want to try their Country Morning Coffee, described as a “leisurely breakfast blend.” We like to have that one on the weekends when we have more time to enjoy our morning coffee.

You can easily recognize Winchell Mountain Coffee because many of their packages are decorated by one of my all-time favorite cartoonists, Sandra Boynton. I adore her animal drawings, like the bikini-clad pig on the Beach Blend package or the coffee-drinking cow on the Country Morning Coffee. Waking up with Sandra Boynton’s humor and Winchell Mountain Coffee is the perfect combination!

Now, just in time for Valentine’s Day, Winchell Mountain Coffee has come out with a special limited edition flavor of coffee called “Valentine’s Day: An Affectionate Blend”! What an awesome gift idea for the coffee lover in your life! The bright red package, Sandra Boynton’s art, and the delicious coffee inside are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

I hope you’ll visit Winchell Mountain Coffee online and check out all of their wonderful varieties of coffee. And, yes, if you prefer your coffee decaffeinated, they have some coffees for you, too! Their coffees are available as whole beans or ground. If you like really great-tasting coffees, I think you’re going to love Winchell Mountain Coffee.

GIVEAWAY

Winchell Mountain Coffee is generously offering this Valentine’s Day giveaway! One lucky winner will receive:

A bag of the limited edition “Valentine’s Day: An Affectionate Blend” coffee (winner’s choice of whole beans or ground)
A Sandra Boynton coffee mug
A Sandra Boynton Mom’s Family 2012 Desk Planner

What a fantastic prize! Thanks so much to Winchell Mountain Coffee. To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. (US residents only; ends February 9, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See’s Candies Is the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Destination for the Chocolate Lover

2012-01-26T09:50:00.000-05:00

I was first introduced to See’s Candies by relatives who live on the West Coast. Their chocolate candies are fabulous! And, of course, See’s Candies make perfect gifts for Valentine’s Day! Check out some of the delicious items I found on their website:

They have a wonderful selection of goodies for Valentine’s Day. And if you or your recipient aren’t chocolate fans, they have plenty to offer you, too, such as Peanut Brittle and Sour Hearts!

Check their website to see if there’s a See’s Candies store near you. I didn’t think we had a store here in south Florida, but I found out that See’s has a temporary store set up in early February at my local mall so I can pick up some of their yummy candy for Valentine’s Day! I hope you’ll check them out, too!

We Love Children’s Classroom Valentines from Minted!

2012-01-25T13:30:00.000-05:00

I’ve never been a big fan of the boxed valentines for children that they have at most stores. They feature the same characters over and over, and the quality is invariably poor. We often tear them trying to get them apart! So, I was really excited to hear that Minted now has classroom Valentine’s Day cards for children. They’re extremely affordable but, best of all, they’re unique and of very high quality! My boys both selected Minted valentine’s cards to give to their classmates. Austen chose this cute baseball design…

…and Caleb chose this space design (especially since it reminded him of a recent trip to Kennedy Space Center)!

There are 53 design choices, and many of them come in a choice of colors, too! Every child is sure to find a card that he or she adores. And this is cool, too: The cards are can be personalized with your child’s name and message. Some of them even allow you to add a photograph right to the card! All your little one needs to do is put their classmates’ names on the card and/or envelope. Easy! Check out more of the fantastic designs at Minted:

It’s so easy to design your child’s Valentine’s Day cards at Minted. Just select your design, type in the message and your child’s name, upload a photo (if applicable), and head to the checkout! You can preview the card before you pay for it, and you’ll receive an emailed proof to be sure that everything looks great. Order by January 27th so they can personalize your child’s cards and send them to you in time for Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Visit Minted today!

Give the Key to Your Heart for Valentine’s Day with a Calendar Key Pendant from Not Just Any Old Day!

2012-01-25T10:35:00.000-05:00

I love jewelry, but the pieces I treasure the most are those that are really unique or show that the giver put a lot of thought into the gift. A Calendar Key Pendant from Not Just Any Old Day fulfills both of those requirements! The Key To My Heart Plated Calendar Key with Swarovski Crystal is one-of-a-kind because you can personalize it with a special date and stone. For example, you can have a red crystal placed on February 14 for Valentine’s Day! Or you can have your loved one’s birthstone put on her birth date. If your sweetheart is a new mom, she’d love a Calendar Key with her baby’s birthstone placed on his or her birthdate. (You can even order two or three pendants on the same chain for more than one child.) Or pick a special crystal to commemorate your anniversary! There are so many ways in which you can be creative with a Key To My Heart pendant from Not Just Any Old Day.

I ordered a Key To My Heart pendant for a family member for her birthday, and I am so excited to give it to her! The quality is excellent, and Not Just Any Old Day personalized it with the birthstone and date that I requested. It arrived with a wonderful long chain (perfect for wearing this necklace with sweaters), and even a little heart hanging next to the key with a keyhole in it! It’s so unique and lovely, and I know my recipient is going to love it!

CLICK HERE to see the beautiful calendar jewelry from Not Just Any Old Day. There are several different variations and even rings! For an additional fee, you can also have the jewelry engraved. Order now so you’ll have the gift in time to give your special someone for Valentine’s Day! You can connect with Not Just Any Old Day through the links below.

LINKS

Not Just Any Old Day: www.notjustanyoldday.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NJAOD
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/NJAOD

A Special Valentine’s Day Giveaway from Teddy Bears Personalized!

2012-01-24T17:28:00.000-05:00

Valentine’s Day is a BIG event at Teddy Bears Personalized. What better gift for your loved one than a beautiful plush bear or other animal that’s been personalized with their name or even a loving message from you! Check out this special Valentine’s Day offer from Teddy Bears Personalized:

Ordering is easy at Teddy Bears Personalized. Just pick your bear (or other animal), select a hoodie or sweater, type in your personalized message, and select a Teddy Card. Your adorable gift will be on its way to your loved one before you know it. And shipping is free in the United States!

If you’d like a unique Valentine’s Day gift for someone you love, head over to Teddy Bears Personalized! My children and I own several of their gorgeous plush animals, and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! Order by February 8, 2012 so that your teddy will arrive by Valentine’s Day! Visit Teddy Bears Personalized through the links below.

LINKS

Teddy Bears Personalized: www.teddybearspersonalized.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Teddy-Bears-Personalized/112823972093081
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/customteddybear
YELP: www.yelp.com/biz/teddy-bears-personalized-torrance

GIVEAWAY

Teddy Bears Personalized is offering this wonderful Valentine’s Day giveaway to my readers!

GRAND PRIZE: Personalized Design-a-Bear of the winner’s choice + a pillow heart!

4 RUNNERS-UP: Each runner-up will receive a pillow heart (see photo below). These 5-inch pillow hearts have “I Love You” or “You’re Special” embroidered on them!

To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US residents only. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER: No compensation or products were exchanged for this post. All opinions are 100% mine.

Join Us for the Upcoming Cash Cow PayPal Giveaway Event!

2012-01-24T14:30:00.000-05:00

If you’re a blogger and looking to gain followers on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email subscriptions and more, joining giveaway events is an awesome way to boost your followers, as well as offer stellar prizes to your readers! The upcoming Cash Cow PayPal Giveaway is extremely affordable and will offer a huge PayPal cash prize!

Giveaway Details:

Dates: February 6-20, 2012
Cost: $5 (two links). Purchase up to two more links at $3/each.
Grand Prize: One lucky entrant will win a huge PayPal cash prize! The prize value depends on how many bloggers join.

Join us!

To join this event, fill out this form and submit your payment (details below). Once you do, you will be emailed with a link to the Facebook group where you can receive updates about the event, along with other important information.

Payment Details:

Make payment via PayPal to ashley@freckleberryfinds.com as a GIFT. In the notes section, include your blog name so Ashley can easily see who has paid. Want to get in to the event for free? The blogger who refers the most blogs will have their entry fee refunded!

Here’s how you can promote this event:
Tweet and Facebook:
“Cash Cow PayPal #Giveaway event sign-ups are open! $5 buy-in! Make sure you say **YOUR BLOG'S NAME** sent you! http://bit.ly/xzcOQw”
You can also blog about this event like I just did!

Sign-ups will close February 4. Once you fill out the form and submit payment, Ashley of Freckleberry Finds will be in touch with important information!

Free Personalized Valentine’s Cards from I See Me!

2012-01-24T08:00:00.017-05:00

I’ve written before about how much I love the personalized children’s books from I See Me! And now I have even more reason to love them: Through January 30, 2012, you can receive their brand-new personalized Valentine’s Day cards for kids for FREE with purchase of a “My Very Own…” customized children’s book.

The Valentine’s cards are printed in sets of 16 cards. If you decide not to order a book, you can still get the valentines for just $4.95! The cards are offered in three themes: animals, fairies and sea creatures. For instance, when you order a My Very Own Fairy Tale custom children’s book, you will receive a set of 16 free personalized fairy Valentine’s cards printed with your child’s first name.

In addition to the fairy-themed cards, you can get a set of customized animal-theme cards with the purchase of a My Very Own Name customized children’s book, and a set of custom sea creature cards with the purchase of a My Very Own Pirate Tale book. All of the beautiful hardcover books from I See Me! are customized with your child’s first and last name, and include dedications to the child from the sender. Your order will arrive within two weeks, which is why you need to place your Valentine’s Day order by January 30th!

I hope you’ll hurry over to I See Me! before this fabulous offer ends. This is a wonderful opportunity to order their unique personalized books, and receive the matching Valentine’s Day cards for free!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza: $100 Shopbop Gift Card Giveaway for Marc Jacobs Jewelry and Much More!

2012-01-23T08:57:00.002-05:00

Welcome to A Blogtastic Extravaganza! What’s so “blogtastic” about this event? More than sixty blogs will be hosting giveaways worth a minimum of $100 each! After entering my very special giveaway below, you’ll see a linky with the names of the other participating bloggers. Be sure to visit them for more opportunities to win BIG prizes! Now, on to my giveaway…

IT’S A $100 SHOPBOP GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!

If you love designer clothes, you’ll want to check out the amazing apparel and accessories at Shopbop! They carry items from top designers, such as unique Charles Albert jewelry …

… bold Marc Jacobs jewelry …

… and fun items from Alexis Bittar!

If you love beautiful and unusual jewelry, apparel, shoes, and accessories from top designers, you’ll want to head over to shopbop.com! You can also Fan Shopbop on Facebook!

For this giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a $100 gift code to spend at Shopbop.com! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: Megan Blumenthal!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now that you’ve entered the Shopbop giveaway, I hope you’ll hop around to the other participating blogs in this event for more opportunities to win great prizes!

DISCLAIMER: I received no products or compensation for this post. Thanks to Shopbop for generously donating the gift card for this giveaway.

Why Kids Will Make You More Successful in Your Career

2012-01-23T07:00:00.011-05:00

Guest Post by Cynthia Kocialski
Author, Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success

It doesn’t make sense, does it? Raising a family is a huge time commitment. It would seem that such an undertaking would make career women less focused on success, but that’s not the case. Why?

Your Success Is Their Pride

When kids are very young, they don’t say much. They are just happy if you spend time with them, but this changes as they grow older. Kids become aware of their friends and classmates, what they have and what they do. Kids are competitive in this manner. They want more than the other kids, they want to do everything that the other kids do and more, and they want to be the first to have something.

One day when my oldest daughter was seven, I picked her up from summer camp. As we were driving home, she said, “Katie’s mom is a very famous hand surgeon. She’s one of the best in the world. What do you do, Mom?” Oh my goodness, my daughter wanted a rundown of my resume. When I wrote my first book, my daughter was my biggest fan. She wanted to take the proof copy to school. I still remember how proud she was to show everyone the book that day. She told all our neighbors. She told all of her friends’ parents. She told anyone who would listen to her.

Parents don’t want to fail in the eyes of their children, parents want their children to be proud of them, and children want their parents to be special. And so this is what gives your career the kick it needs to get going.

Your Actions Become Their Actions

Every parent wants health, happiness, and success for their child’s future. When children are very young, they don’t understand language well. As a result, they figure things out by observing actions or by scrutinizing pictures. Even when they become better at language, this ability to observe and imitate carries on for a long time.

Every career woman has examined and analyzed her career to date, asking herself what she did right or wrong, and what are her strengths and weaknesses. We know the mistakes we’ve made and vow never again.

Admit it. We have hope that our children will be better than us -- smarter and wiser. But then comes that moment when your child does something, something you swore you’d never do again, and you are taken aback. How could this happen? Your child is doing what you know won’t work. Your child has picked up on something that you know will hold them back in the future -- something you did or are. You think to yourself, you said nothing, you used no words -- ever. But there it is, that flaw. It’s that moment when you realize that unless you become the person you’ve always dreamed of, unless you become better, that your child will become you! That old cliché of “Do what I say, not as I do” is rubbish!

It’s the AHA moment! You finally realize that their future depends upon your future. It’s when you become highly aware that all your hopes for their future are based upon you leading by example.

Cynthia Kocialski is the founder of three tech start-up companies. In the past 15 years, she has been involved in dozens of start-ups. Cynthia writes the Start-up Entrepreneurs’ Blog. Cynthia has written the book, Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success: How to Prosper Without Being at the Top of the Class. The book serves up tips, insight, and wisdom to enable young adults and parents of kids to know what it will take to forge a successful career, no matter what their academic achievement. Please join her on Facebook.

Cozy Up with a Book Hop: Giveaway for Three Middle-Grade Novels and a Tony Hawk Poster!

2012-01-23T00:01:00.030-05:00

Welcome to the Cozy Up with a Book Hop hosted by Mommy Reads Too Much and eReading on the Cheap! There’s nothing better than curling up with a good book, so the 50+ blogs participating in this hop are offering terrific books as prizes! Following the Rafflecopter form below, you’ll find a linky with the names and links to all the participating blogs. Feel free to hop around for the chance to win some great reads! This blog hop runs from January 23, 2012 at 12:01 AM and ends on January 29, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Good luck!

For my giveaway, I’m offering the following prizes to one lucky reader:

Kitt Pirate: Snaggletooth’s Treasure

By Ben Oliver

X marks the spot! Everyone knows that, but where’s the island to go with it? Kitt Pirate knows that his crew of salty seadogs expects him to find the fabled gold from the treasure map. He is the youngest buccaneer captain sailing the Caribbean, and he has more wits than any grown man, but Caverock Island? Well, that’s a bit of a problem. The treasure beckons. Weeks tick by without a sign. Then an uncharted speck appears on the horizon. Land! On his quest to find the mythical treasure, young Kitt Pirate has to weather not only the sea, but also the adventures that await him on the mysterious Caverock Island.

Lucky Dog

By Laurie Ezpeleta

Did you know that Queen Mary was a kleptomaniac? Or that the Empress Elizabeth of Russia couldn’t spell? Emily Locke does. She knows all kinds of crazy things about European royalty. She just doesn’t know how to fix her miserable life. Moved to a new home in Emerald Lake by her grieving mother, Emily has no friends and hates her new school. Skateboarding home from school one day, Emily finally finds a best friend -- a dog she names Lucky. Together, she and Lucky have many hair-raising adventures, including one in the mountain wilderness that nearly costs Emily her life. It is up to Lucky, the late Princess Diana and Emily’s new friends to save her.

Tony Hawk’s 900 Revolution: Impulse

By M. Zachary Sherman

Impulse is part of an exciting book series inspired by legendary skateboarding pioneer, Tony Hawk. About Impulse: When you skate in New York, it’s all about getting creative, and fourteen-year-old Dylan Crow considers himself a street artist. You won’t catch him tagging alley walls. Instead, he paints the streets with his board. He wants to be seen grinding rails in Brooklyn and popping ollies at the Chelsea Piers. But when Dylan starts running with the wrong crowd, his future becomes a lot less certain ... until he discovers the Revolution. This giveaway includes a full-size graphic poster featuring characters from the series!

To enter to win all three middle-grade chapter books featured above plus the Tony Hawk series poster, just enter through the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional. The more you do, the more entries you get! Then visit the linky below to find more great giveaways in the Cozy Up with a Book Hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER: I received complimentary copies of these books, which I am passing along to the winner of this contest.

Chatman: A Computer Friend for the Whole Family!

2012-01-22T13:53:00.000-05:00

I have had so much fun playing with my Chatman that I received for review. This little yellow guy has made me laugh out loud at all his funny little comments, his movements, and just the fact that I have him with me whenever I am on the computer chatting or surfing or just playing games.

Now I know I am not a kid, but I have enjoyed him almost as much as the two boys to whom I lent him to try out. They are 8 and 10 and had never heard of Chatman before, so he was a learning experience for us all. I let them try it out first to see what they thought. They did all the installation themselves while I looked on, but I am pretty confident that I could have done it as well. They connected him to Facebook and Skype, and had a great time playing with him and enjoying his company while they did everyday things on the computer.

The Chatman is a USB device and supports Windows and Mac OSX. You can create a personality for your own Chatman, boy or girl, download all sorts of applications, play games and even chat with your friends. You also get a gaming and video website subscription for free. You can teach the Chatman new things, and he can also help with homework and online searching.

The boys really enjoyed this gadget. The Chatman is geared for ages 6-12, and parents can feel safe in knowing their child is protected while on the internet. My favorite app is the Reminder App. I put in a few reminders and was very glad when I was reminded of those events. When you have kids, it’s hard to keep track of who goes where or when or what needs to be done during the week, and having that extra person -- or in this case, extra gadget -- to help out is one less thing you have to worry about.

Now if only he would wash my dishes and do my laundry! Hmmm. For all the information you need on this cool guy, go to www.mychatman.com. Chatman is also available at Toys ‘R’ Us. Like their Facebook page for special promotions and news!

In the Spotlight: Cyndy of Mama Does It All

2012-01-22T12:47:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new series on Susan Heim on Parenting called “In the Spotlight”! Each Sunday I’ll be posting an interview with a blogger so you can get to know her or him better. Cyndy from “Mama Does It All” is this week’s featured blogger! If you’d like to be included in this feature, please email me at smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com with your name, blog name, and URL. Put “In the Spotlight” in the subject line. Now, here’s Cyndy from Mama Does It All!

What is your earliest childhood memory?
I remember going to Disney World when I was 7 and meeting Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse, It’s A Small World, the Tea Cups and the Electric Light Parade have always stuck out to me.

Do you collect anything?
I have a small collection of birdhouse ornaments that I bring out every Christmas. It has been awhile since I added to the collection and it’s strange that I collect them as I am terrified of birds! It started accidentally at a sale at Yankee Candle in Deerfield, MA after Christmas one year and just grew from there.

If you could be any Star Wars character, which one would it be and why?
Han Solo was always my favorite. I think it was his strength and lack of confidence put together that got me. Plus, I was a girl and, let’s face it, Harrison Ford was a hottie.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Mean people. I’m not perfect, but I try not to judge. I think the world would be a whole lot happier place if we all stopped judging.

What superpower would you like to have and why?
I’d love the ability to travel at warp speed sometimes -- not all of the time because I think part of the beauty of life is in the journey, but sometimes it would be nice.

What items are in your purse?
My wallet, a notepad for anything that comes to mind or for Gwen to draw at a restaurant, my phone, my keys, receipts, hand sanitizer, tissues, my 1-year sobriety chip, a small makeup bag with just a few necessities.

Who has inspired you most in life?
It’s a hard choice, but I think my husband is the one who has inspired me the most. I have learned a great deal about having faith, the meaning of love, the strength of the human spirit and just how much fun life can be. I’ve found the joy of having someone’s love and support in a way I didn’t know was possible.

If your parents had given you a name like Smelly Picklebottom, would you have changed it or flaunted your unique name?
I’m just silly enough that I probably would have flaunted it.

What is your favorite song and why?
It’s hard to pick an absolute favorite but I will try. “Green and Red of Mayo” by The Saw Doctors is definitely up there, and I love everything by them.

What are you most afraid of?
I’m most afraid of not trying -- not taking a risk.

About me: Mama Does It All was launched in January 2012 and is growing quickly. I blog because I love to write, and I think I bring a certain uniqueness to the blogging sphere. Born and raised in Massachusetts, I have lived in Ireland, Connecticut and Rhode Island before landing in Texas in 2005. I received my BA in Marketing from Elms College in Massachusetts and my MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. I spent nearly 15 years in the Human Resources field in the manufacturing and IT industries, have done some freelance writing, and have owned a small business with my husband. I am a wife, a mother and a stepmother. All of that coupled with life experience has given me my own unique perspective on the world, and it is that perspective that gives Mama Does It All its unique flavor.

Mama Does It All: www.mamadoesitall.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MamaDoesItAll
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/YankyTexan
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/118288870457919713037/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/yankytexan/

The Easy Way to Make Pretty Cupcakes

2012-01-21T14:42:00.000-05:00

By Dennis Weaver

Last week, our sweet daughter Katie got married. I never realized that a marriage and reception could be so much work. It was worth it.

Debbie, my other daughter, and I made cream filled cupcakes for the reception—dozens upon dozens of them. Now before Debbie and I sound like heroes, let me point out that pretty cupcakes can be quick and easy. Here’s how we did it:

• We made the cupcakes with box cake mixes—easy cupcakes.
• We filled them with Bavarian cream or chocolate Bavarian cream. It only takes about a minute to fill a dozen cupcakes—with no prep or cleanup—using premade fillings.
• We used buttercream frosting mixes to make the frosting.
• We applied the frosting with pastry bags.

The quickest way to frost cupcakes is with a pastry bag. We used giant 22" pastry bags so that we could make big batches of buttercream frosting and put it all in the bag at one time. We frosted dozens of cupcakes without stopping to make a new batch and refill the bags.

Now, I’m going to try to explain how to do this but it’s easier to see. So I’ve asked Julie to show us in a video. Once you see it, it’s easy.

[Email subscribers, please click on the title of this post to view the video online.]

You can find the wonderful products you need to fill and decorate your cupcakes at The Prepared Pantry website. Just click on the banner below!

Dennis Weaver is the author of the popular 250-page ebook How to Bake. You can get your free copy of this culinary-school type book, as well as another free e-book about cookies on the Prepared Pantry website.

Winners for the Week of January 15, 2012

2012-01-21T13:31:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to this week’s lucky winners! Be sure to check the right sidebar for the opportunity to win more great prizes!

WHO LOVES ME? PERSONALIZED HARDCOVER BOOK FROM I SEE ME!

Congratulations to the winner: cassandra!

TOAST TO 2012 GIVEAWAY HOP: LOVABLE LABELS FRIENDSHIP PACK

Congratulations to the winner: Lisa Smith!

PERRICONE SUPER SKIN CARE PRODUCT

Congratulations to the winner: aliasr2 (Debra G.)!

A MILE IN HIS SHOES (DVD)

Congratulations to the winner: Nicole C.!

Super Saturday Giveaway Linky (January 21, 2012)

2012-01-20T23:01:00.008-05:00

The weekend's finally here! Celebrate by entering giveaways for the chance to win great prizes! My current giveaways are listed on the right sidebar. Feel free to submit your giveaways in the linky below, and be sure to hop around to enter some, too! Share the love by tweeting this list and posting it on Facebook!

Celebrate the Chinese New Year and Welcome the Year of the Dragon with P.F. Chang’s!

2012-01-20T16:36:00.002-05:00

On January 23rd, we enter the Year of the Dragon with the beginning of the Chinese New Year, symbolized by prosperity, peace, happiness and longevity. The celebration begins on the evening of January 22nd, when loved ones get together for a New Year’s feast. Gifts are often given in red envelopes because the color red is a symbol of good luck in China. Since the Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays on the Chinese calendar, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and P.F. Chang’s Home Menu are celebrating in a big way!

If you’d like to celebrate the Chinese New Year with P.F. Chang’s, be sure to head over to a P.F. Chang’s China Bistro for some delicious Chinese food! When you dine with them between January 23 through February 6, 2012, you’ll be handed a lucky red envelope to be opened by a manager or a server on a future visit! Each envelope will contain a 10-50% discount off your next meal or a free appetizer or dessert. While you’re there, be sure to sample their new Dragon Punch. And when you visit P.F. Chang’s Facebook page beginning Monday, January 23rd at 12pm EST, you’ll also receive a “virtual” red envelope that may reveal a prize from P.F. Chang's. Enter daily!

You can also celebrate the Chinese New Year courtesy of P.F. Chang’s at home. Pick up some delicious packages of P.F. Chang’s Home Menu noodle entrees at your local grocery store and heat them up. Enjoy a variety of entrees, including Pepper Steak with Chow Fun Noodles, Grilled Chicken Teriyaki with Lo Mein Noodles, Garlic Chicken with Dan Dan Noodles, and Firecracker Shrimp with Yakisoba Noodles. Serve them up with this recipe for Dragon Punch that you can make yourself!

Dragon Punch (courtesy of P.F. Chang’s)

SKYY Infusions Dragon Fruit Vodka 1.5 oz

Sriracha Sauce 0.25 tsp

Strawberry Puree 1 oz

Hand-squeezed Lemon Juice 0.5 oz

Simple Syrup 1 oz

Tsingtao Lager 3 oz.

Shake, strain and top with Tsingtao

And be sure to clean your house thoroughly to sweep away any ill fortune so that good fortune can enter. Decorate your windows and doors in red, and hang up festive red paper lanterns!

I’m excited to be joining P.F. Chang’s in welcoming the Year of the Dragon. I hope you’ll join them, too, by visiting a P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and/or picking up some yummy P.F. Chang’s Home Menu noodle entrees. Be sure to follow P.F. Chang’s on Facebook and Twitter, too!

An ABC Award, My Acceptance Speech, and Awesome Bloggers!

2012-01-20T10:52:00.000-05:00

Are you a follower of Pamela Zimmer at Stories of a Mom? You definitely need to check out her insightful and awesome blog! I’m a new fan, but after reading through her posts, I knew I had to become a subscriber. Pamela and I have a lot in common because not only are we both raising boys, but she is also a published writer. You can find her story in the book, Get Your Woman On! Embracing Beauty, Grace & The Power of Women. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that she had awarded me an Awesome Blog Content (ABC) Award!

I’m told that as part of my “acceptance speech” I need to tell you seven things that you might not know about me. Wow, that’s tough! But here’s what I managed to come up with…

1. I’m an introvert. A party invitation fills me with dread! I love it when my calendar shows no social obligations for the day so I can relax at home without the need to make conversation. I am truly a recluse!

2. I love to travel. This may seem like a contradiction to #1 above, but even though I’m not a “people person,” I love to learn and explore new places. I’d accept a ticket to just about anyplace as long as it’s safe. My retirement dream is to explore the world!

3. I want to be a student again. I’ve always regretted not getting my master’s degree after I finished my bachelor’s. I’m actually jealous of my two sons who are now in college! So, I’m thinking about heading back to class to get that advanced degree.

4. I collect squashed pennies. Everywhere I go, I look for those machines that allow you to insert a penny, which gets flattened and imprinted with a scene from the place I’m visiting (Disney, Kennedy Space Center, etc.). Why do I collect them? I have no idea! Probably because they’re the cheapest souvenir in the often over-priced gift shop. (They’re usually 51 cents apiece!)

5. I like (nonpoisonous) snakes. I wouldn’t own one because I think they deserve to stay in the wild, but when I have an opportunity to hold a snake, I volunteer. They feel soft and silky to the touch. When I was a little girl, I actually brought home a garter snake I found that had been slightly injured. My mother was not amused.

6. I love to be warm. Being cold makes me miserable. I moved to Florida 25 years ago, and I love it here. Of course, there are downsides (like any place), but I don’t miss scraping ice off my car, putting on 12 layers of clothes, driving in blizzards, etc. And wool makes me itch!

7. I’m a picky eater. I’m basically a meat, potatoes, and chocolate gal. I wish I liked salads and vegetables, but I just don’t. I firmly believe that we’re programmed with different taste buds. To my husband, all chocolate tastes bitter. To me, it’s sweet! He loves veggies, but I don’t think they taste the same way for me. It’s a curse because I have a hard time choosing recipes that don’t have ingredients I dislike.

And now to pass this award on to other bloggers who also provide Awesome Blog Content! These ladies always make me smile, and I never miss a day of checking out their great blogs.

Frugal Plus – Jill was the first person I thought of when it came time to hand out this award. She is the most supportive blogger I know! It doesn’t matter what favor I ask of her; Jill never says “no.” I love that she’s so non-competitive and does whatever she can to help me and other bloggers succeed.

Three Times the Giggles – Like me, Helen is a mom of multiples (she has triplet boys, plus a baby girl). I wish my blog was more like hers – filled with amusing stories about her family and her gorgeous photography. Her recent blog about insecurity really a touched a cord with me, too.

Mom Spotted – Jenne and I are both moms of boys, and I was especially moved by her recent post about gender disappointment because I could really relate to her feelings when I was pregnant with my boys.

Blessed Beyond Words – I started following Angie back when her blog was known as 5 Vinez Monkeys. With the addition of baby #6, she’s truly blessed! I hope you’ll check out her wonderful parenting wisdom, product reviews, and great personality!

Just Another New Blog – Dina’s blog is another that I’ve been following for a long time. She always has great content and giveaways. I think she needs to change her blog’s name to “An Awesome Blog”!

Of course, there are many more blogs that I love and highly recommend, but the ladies above are truly worth following! Thanks again to Pamela from Stories of a Mom for this prestigious award!

Impress Your Loved One on Valentine’s Day with Isabelle Grace Jewelry!

2012-01-19T11:19:00.001-05:00

It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is less than a month away. Before you know it, it will be here, and you’ll realize that you forgot to get a token of your affection for those you love. I have a suggestion: Head over to Isabelle Grace Jewelry today for some beautiful handcrafted pieces! I love that you can personalize many of their items, such as those pictured below:

Aren’t they beautiful? They also have a great collection of non-personalized pieces, like those shown here:

I had the opportunity to review the adorable Ruby Heart Necklace shown at the upper left of the photo above. Here’s a close-up:

This cute little heart is flanked by two ruby-colored beads, and is available in Vermeil (gold) or Sterling Silver. Choose from a 16- or 18-inch chain. At just $42, this makes a perfect gift for your valentine!

Find out why stars like Katherine Heigl, Alison Sweeney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and other wear Isabelle Grace Jewelry! Visit www.IsabelleGraceJewelry.com today to get started on your Valentine’s Day shopping!

Help Skoolbo Build a Library in Central Thailand

2012-01-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

Skoolbo, a developer of state-of-the-art children’s e-Learning games, is celebrating their launch by building a library for children in Central Thailand! The Wat Sao Thong school in the Suphanburi province in central Thailand receives little funding from the government and is forced to rely on donations from the community. There are no resources for children to learn English, the unofficial second language of the country, putting them at a severe disadvantage in future education and employment opportunities.

Skoolbo will donate one brick for every “like” on their Facebook page. The library will need a total of 9,384 bricks by early February to be completed before wet season in Thailand.

Skoolbo has partnered with the Dragonfly Community Foundation to manage the building of the library. And Rotary International is donating 20,000 English storybooks to this and similar projects.

For more information on Skoolbo and the Thai library project, visit www.Skoolbo.com. And be sure to like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SkoolboFun to help build a library for Thai children!

Gorton’s Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway: Enter to Win Free Product Coupons and a Grand Prize of a $1,000 Wardrobe Makeover!

2012-01-19T09:39:00.000-05:00

I just opened our freezer, and there was a bright yellow box of Gorton’s seafood sitting on the shelf! That’s not surprising because we buy a lot of Gorton’s products. They’re one of the few things that everyone in our family enjoys. In addition to being excited about Gorton’s seafood, I’m also thrilled to hear that they’re running a new promotion called the Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway! I’m sure that many of you have high hopes for slimming down or getting into better shape this year, and Gorton’s wants to help you rebuild your wardrobe when you succeed. So, the grand prize winner of the Gorton’s Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway will receive a $1,000 wardrobe makeover! Wow, the thought of all those new clothes certainly inspires me to get healthier! But even if you don’t win the grand prize, Gorton’s is also giving away 1,000 first prizes of a coupon for a free Gorton’s grilled product. Yummy!

Gorton’s grilled seafood is flame-grilled and expertly seasoned, with plenty of omega-3s without the fat or calories! Serve Gorton’s grilled seafood with rice or a salad to help you “grill your way to gorgeous” this year! CLICK HERE for Gorton’s delicious grilled recipes, such as Gorton’s Signature Grilled Tilapia Soup or their Grilled Shrimp Bruschetta. They all look SO good!

The Gorton’s Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway is going on now through February 9, 2012, so you’ll want to enter right away. Head on over to Gorton’s Facebook page for a chance to win a free product coupon or even a $1,000 wardrobe makeover!

GIVEAWAY

And Gorton’s is spreading the celebration beyond their Facebook page. They’re also letting me share a terrific giveaway with you, too! Three (3) lucky US residents will each receive two (2) Gorton’s free product coupons! To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Third Thursday Thoughts: Getting Organized

2012-01-19T07:25:00.010-05:00

Welcome to another edition of Third Thursday Thoughts, brought to you by the wonderful people at Hearts at Home! Every third Thursday of the month, we’ll be sharing our thoughts on the topic of the month. This month’s topic: What are your tips and hints for things that you do around the home that make life easier?

This is a really tough one for me because if you looked up the opposite of Martha Stewart, you’d probably see my name! So, you won’t be seeing me in any magazines or TV shows about getting your home more organized. However, here are a few things I try to do to make this domestically challenged mom’s life a little easier…

Pick up something every time you enter a room. I hate major cleaning events, so I find it easier if I do things in smaller increments. Whenever I enter a room, I check to see if there are a few things I can pick up and put away. Toys, mail, paperwork, books, clothes and more tend to accumulate. To keep from being buried under the clutter, I whittle away at it as I go along. In this way, I’m doing something productive but not feeling overwhelmed by the task.

Keep a to-do list. I’m even more stressed when I’m worried that I’ll forget to do something. Therefore, I keep a running list of things I need to do, like making phone calls, paying bills, taking the kids to sports practices, and more. Knowing that I don’t have to keep all of that information in my brain is a big stress-reliever!

Cut yourself some slack. My parents’ house is absolutely perfect. They put out fresh towels every day, iron their jeans, make sure their sheets are wrinkle-free and their floors are crumb-free. You’ll never find a smudge on their windows (except when my kids are visiting). I used to make myself miserable every time they came to visit by trying to get my house as close to their high standards as possible. I finally decided that it was okay not to be like them. Yes, I still do a little extra tidying when they’re coming, but I’ve crossed “perfection” off my list.

Learn to say “no.” I’ve learned to be more discriminating about the events I sign up for. I no longer feel that I have to volunteer for every single school event or attend every party I’m invited to. If my schedule’s looking full or I’m getting stressed-out, I let go of the guilt about turning things down and saving my sanity.

Communicate your needs. I’m fortunate because my husband is a great cook and a huge help around the house. We split the laundry (he washes; I put it away), running the kids around, and many other things. He’s very handy around the house, which definitely makes my life easier! If you feel as if you’re doing more than your fair share around the house, sit down with your hubby and have a calm heart-to-heart. See if you can work out a schedule that suits both of you. But if you expect him to help out, let him do it his way. Criticism is the easiest way to get him to stop helping! Praise his efforts and work on building a partnership together.

So, what about you? Do you have some great tips for getting more organized or making things easier around your house? I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to visit the other blogs participating in Third Thursday Thoughts for inspiration! [Email subscribers, please click on the title of this post to view the linky online.]

DISCLOSURE: All Hearts at Home bloggers will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a book. No financial compensation has been provided.

Backyard Discovery: Double the Prize, Double the Fun Sweepstakes!

2012-01-18T12:44:00.000-05:00

Backyard Discovery announces their Spring 2012 Sweepstakes: Double the Prize, Double the Fun Sweepstakes on Facebook! Each winner will receive a Patriot II All Cedar Swingset and an Oasis Raised Bed Garden.

The Patriot II has a raised clubhouse, sun porch, rock wall, 10-foot slide, two belt swings and a two-person glider. The Oasis Garden is a self-contained garden for any backyard and lets you grow your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

One entry per person, but you can share the news with your Facebook friends or Tweet about the sweepstakes to earn extra entries each day. Blog about the contest and earn 5 extra entries into the sweepstakes!

For more information, visit:

https://www.swingsetsonline.com/backyard-ideas/backyard-blog/playsets/January%202012/Double_the_Prize_Double_the_Fun_Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes runs from January 18 until March 16, 2012.

Do You Love Movies? Enter the 6-Month Blockbuster Gift Subscription Giveaway!

2012-01-17T22:00:00.012-05:00

A group of bloggers has come together to bring you this awesome giveaway! One winner will be selected to win a 6-Month Subscription to Blockbuster with unlimited through-the-mail and in-store exchanges. Only 1 DVD out at a time.

Enter using the super easy Rafflecopter form below. For the first entry, be sure to say that SUSAN HEIM ON PARENTING referred you. Then, just "like" all our Facebook pages using the Rafflecopter form below for a total of 26 entries. You can also earn up to an additional 6 entries per day by coming back and clicking on the daily vote links and tweeting about the giveaway. This giveaway will begin on January 17th at 10:00 PM EST and run through 11:59 PM on February 1st, and is only valid for U.S. residents 18 years and older. Please note this giveaway is in no way associated with Blockbuster or Facebook.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fearless Young Adult Book Tour and Kindle Giveaway

2012-01-17T17:06:00.002-05:00

Fearless by Tawdra Kandle

Tasmyn Vaughn didn't expect much when her dad’s job moved them to a small town in Florida; it was just another new school. But there is more to King than meets the eye, and soon Tasmyn’s ability to hear other’s thoughts is the least of her worries. Entangled in a web of first love, quirky and secretive townsfolk, magic and blood rituals, she discovers the town’s secrets aren’t just bizarre, they’re deadly.

Buy it HERE

What People are Saying about Fearless

"Tawdra's debut novel enthralled me from the start. She captures the struggles and fears of the high school journey perfectly- with a paranormal twist. Tasmyn and Michael will have you adding them to your "favorite couples" list! I was sad to see this book end, and look forward to reading more by Tawdra soon!" Sarah M. Ross Young Adult Writer

"Fearless is a fantastic read. It is appropriate for both young adult and older readers with its charming storyline of a young lady learning to use her supernatural gift for the greater good. The characters are relatable, something that every reader can appreciate. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series takes Tasmyn, Michael and their friends." Marcie Bridges, reviewer

"Fearless is a great read for young and old alike. It perfectly
intertwines the magic of first love with the twists and turns of a
thrilling plot that pulls the reader in. When I finished the final
chapter, I could not wait until my next "trip" to King to visit with Tasmyn and Michael!" --Devyn Prado, Reviewer Taking Time for Mommy

Not ONLY is Author Tawdra T. Kandle having a Giveaway for a KINDLE but everyone that signs up for her newsletter will get her 2nd book BREATHLESS as soon as it comes out in March & 25 entries for the Kindle Giveway!

Now for the Kindle Giveaway!! Fill out the form below.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: Joyce Harrell!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HeroHuggers: Fun and Fashionable Belts for Kids! (PROMO CODE + WORLDWIDE GIVEAWAY)

2012-01-17T13:13:00.002-05:00

I was always skinny as a child (wish I had that problem now!), and I remember my mom sewing (sometimes painful) “darts” in my waistbands to make them smaller. I’m not the seamstress that my mom was, so my slim boys have to rely on belts to keep up pants that are too big in the waist. The usual brown and black leather belts from the department store don’t really look great with my boys’ casual clothes, so I was thrilled to find out about HeroHuggers! Their belts for kids come in all kinds of fun designs, with three different sizes and two different closures (Velcro and D-ring). Check out the fun design that I received for my boys, “Dino Bonz”! Here’s what the pattern looks like up close:

And here’s Caleb modeling his new belt:

Not only did the belt make my boys happy, but I was thrilled that it only cost $14.99! (Solid colors are just $9.99.) At that price, I can get several HeroHuggers belts so my boys have a nice selection. Check out some of the other fantastic designs they have in kids belts:

As you can see, there are belts for kids that appeal to both boys and girls. The Velcro option is great for little potty-trainers. And they ship worldwide! If your little one’s pants keep falling down or you just want to make your child’s wardrobe more fashionable, I hope you’ll visit HeroHuggers and pick up some colorful belts at an unbeatable price!

PROMO CODE: Use SOCIETY10 at checkout when you order from www.herohuggers.com and receive 10% off your order -- even on sale prices!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a gift code for a HeroHuggers belt of their choice, including free shipping! To enter, just fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open worldwide and ends on January 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: pduthoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received one or more products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Playing with Fire: Kindle Fire Giveaway ($199 value)! US/CAN

2012-01-17T11:00:00.008-05:00

I’m thrilled to be joining a group of bloggers to give away a Kindle Fire tablet to one very lucky person! The Kindle Fire, valued at $199, is WiFi-enabled, and gives you access to thousands of apps, as well as millions of books, magazines, movies, TV shows, songs and more. Super fast web browsing is powered by Amazon Silk, and there’s even cloud storage for all of your Amazon content. I’m going to be very jealous of the person who wins this amazing prize! We’re even offering a second place prize of $20 PayPal cash to another lucky winner. I bet you can use that! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway runs from January 17-31, 2012, and is open to residents of the United States and Canada. (Canadian residents will receive an Amazon gift card equal to the value of an Amazon Kindle.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learn More About Your Vision with Educational Tools from Zeiss!

2012-01-17T10:43:00.001-05:00

I’ve worn eyeglasses since I was a teenager, so I know how important it is to be educated about vision problems, eye exams, lenses, and more. At Zeiss, they also believe that everyone should have this type of information. In fact, they provide some excellent educational tools on their site to help eyeglass wearers better understand eye exams, vision correction needs, and lenses. Their articles include:

1. Facts to know about vision and lenses
2. Tips for selecting an eye doctor
3. Questions to ask at your next eye appointment
4. Facts to know about age-related vision changes

I really learned a lot from these articles. For example, I found out that difficulty in seeing objects up close is a normal part of aging and is called presbyopia. I also found out that there are 5 kinds of lenses I should discuss with my eye doctor for presbyopia: reading, single vision, bifocal, trifocal, and progressive.

Carl Zeiss Vision has plenty of experience in the field of eyecare -- Carl Zeiss founded his first optical workshop in 1846! Since then, astronauts used Zeiss lenses to photograph the first moon landing, and Google Earth cameras use Zeiss lenses! Zeiss lenses are also used in microscopes and movie cameras to film movies such as one of my favorites, The King’s Speech.

If you have questions about your vision or are in the market for eyeglasses, I hope you’ll join the 200 million people around the world who wear eyeglass lenses from Carl Zeiss Vision. Be sure to check out the Zeiss educational tools on their site as a starting point for learning more about your eyes and your vision.

Add Fun to Playtime with B Kids Toys!

2012-01-15T15:09:00.000-05:00

I am pretty sure that when I was a kid, toys just weren’t as cool as they are now. I am sure I had tons of fun regardless as I didn’t know any different, but kids today -- babies included -- are spoiled with what is out there. And all the features that come with these new toys are amazing! When we had Sadie, I was drawn to the basic toys ... the ones that have been around forever and that I had when I was a kid. But then I was introduced to so many others, and I just wanted them all (for her, not me)! Lucky for me, I had the chance to do it all again three years later with my niece, and even in that time frame it became even more fun to buy and look for toys.

I was excited to have the opportunity to review two toys from B kids with one of the little girls I look after, who was ten months at the time. She has twin siblings who have oodles of toys, so I wasn’t sure if she was going to pay attention to the two new toys I brought into her world. I brought them out one morning while sissy and brother were at preschool, and she loved them both. The Soft Peek-A-Boo Blocks caught her eye at first. The bright colors and chewable blocks had her playing right away. She is a late teether, so I am sure they felt nice on her sensitive gums. She also loved the Stack’n Link Pal just as much. She loved pulling them along the floor all linked together and enjoyed stacking them on the stick just as much.

These two toys from B kids were a huge hit and were also enjoyed by the twins when they arrived home. I passed them on to my friend who was expecting a baby so that he, too, could enjoy them just as much when the time comes. The blocks are perfect to bring along in the diaper bag for entertainment when you’re out and about. Check them out at www.bkidsfun.com. You can also visit them on Facebook and Twitter.

In the Spotlight: Nicole from Some Call It Natural

2012-01-15T12:30:00.000-05:00

Today marks the beginning of a new series on Susan Heim on Parenting called “In the Spotlight”! Each Sunday I’ll be posting an interview with a blogger so you can get to know her or him better. Nicole from Some Call It Natural graciously agreed to be the very first blogger to be put “In the Spotlight”! If you’d like to be included in this feature, please email me at smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com with your name, blog name, and URL. Put “In the Spotlight” in the subject line. Now, here’s Nicole from Some Call It Natural!

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment ever!
Honestly, I don't really know. I can't think of a specific time. In general, I get embarrassed when I put my foot in my mouth. It's so hard when you realize you have said something that you can't take back and then you spend the next few moments trying to dig yourself out, but it's too late!

If you could have done anything else in life besides what you’re doing now, what would it have been?
I really think I would have enjoyed acting.

Who is your celebrity crush and why?
If my husband is reading this, then my answer is "What do you mean celebrity crush? No one is as handsome as my husband!" And while that is true, I don't mind watching movies with Bradley Cooper or Matthew McConaughey.

Tell us something unique about yourself that people may not know.
Well, if I told you, then people would know it, right? That kind of defeats the purpose. :)

Do you have any tattoos? If so, what are they and do they have special significance?
No tattoos ... I can't wrap my head around putting ink on my body that I can't ever take off. I don't care if others do. It's just not for me.

If you won a billion dollars, what would you do with it?
A billion dollars ... that's a hard one. A million would have been an easier question. With a million, I would buy a very nice home, buy an office and have two new cars. And go on a couple of vacations. I would also give some money to a few family members. I know that doesn't sound like a lot of stuff for a million dollars, but my dream home isn't cheap. :) With a billion dollars, I would do all those things AND I would also give money to every family member I have. Aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. And friends too! Not sure how much for each person ... I would have to do some math to figure that out. Then, I would give to all the organizations I want to support. I have quite a few charities that I would love to give money to, as well as churches. However, before I did all of that, I would make sure to hire a financial advisor/accountant and he/she would help me determine how to invest some of the money so that I would never have to worry about money ever again. There have been studies done that show that a certain (high) percentage of people who win the lottery, one year later, are in the same financial situation they were in prior to winning. I don't want to be a part of that statistic.

About me: I am a stay-at-home mom of 3 sweeties. We are a home schooling family. We are “natural” by most people’s definitions. We don’t vaccinate; there are no drugs in our house (unless you count coffee and chocolate); our son is intact; I had all 3 kids at home; the only doctors I see are chiropractors and dentists; I bring my own bags to stores (not just grocery stores); our meals are from scratch for the most part; and, anything that is packaged that comes in the house must pass the ingredient list inspection. In general, we just try to do everything as natural as possible when it comes to health and parenting. All of this is why I chose the name of my blog to be “Some Call It Natural” ... because by a lot of people's interpretations, these things would be considered “natural.” However, for my family and some friends, this is just “normal.” On my blog, you will find anything from family happenings, home school adventures, giveaways, and information on how to live more naturally. Please stop by and say “Hi!.”

Some Call It Natural: www.somecallitnatural.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/somecallitnatural
Twitter: www.twitter.com/callitnatural

Do You Have Problems with Your In-Laws? A&E Is Now Casting Couples Who Need Help with an In-Law!

2012-01-14T18:35:00.000-05:00

In-laws: most people have them ... and sometimes, they can be a whole lot more than a couple bargained for. A&E Network shines a light on married couples dealing with in-laws as they try to make peace with the help of an unconventional, no-nonsense relationship expert in the new original real-life series, "Monster In-Laws."

“A ground-breaking new series that explores the complex relationships between married couples and their in-laws.”

Are you struggling to maintain a relationship with an out-of-control in-law?

Is a cultural or background divide challenging your relationship?

Does the statement, “When mom/dad says no, ask grandma/grandpa” ring true in your family?

Does your mother or father-in-law still baby your husband/wife, challenge your parenting style or openly disrespect you?

If you’re desperate to repair your relationship with an in-law before it’s too late, A&E wants to hear from you! Families who appear on the show will have the opportunity to work with a professional relationship expert who will help them to identify their issues and repair their relationships. Families who appear on the show will receive a generous financial honorarium as a “thank you” for their time and commitment to the show. There is also a finder's fee for anyone who nominates a family who makes the show.

To apply, please send an email with your name, contact information, a brief description of your current in-law situation and a family photo to:

inlawcasting@gmail.com

Winners for the Week of January 8, 2012

2012-01-14T09:06:00.009-05:00

Only one contest ended this week thanks to the busy-ness of the holidays, but we’re back in business now with lots of new giveaways for the new year! I hope you’ll keep an eye on my right sidebar for the chance to win some great prizes!

SOCK ONS TO KEEP ON BABY SOCKS

Congratulations to the winner: Emillie Rose!

Super Saturday Giveaway Linky (January 14, 2012)

2012-01-13T23:01:00.007-05:00

I’ve got some terrific giveaways going on right now! I hope you’ll check them out in the right sidebar, as well as the awesome giveaways listed in the linky below. If you’re hosting a giveaway, please post it and be sure to promote this linky on your social media sites. I hope everyone has a fun weekend!

Bobiam Artistic Streetwear: Kid-Designed Fashion for the Whole Family! ($30 Gift Card Giveaway)

2012-01-13T10:53:00.001-05:00

I love companies that “give back,” and Bobiam Artistic Streetwear does just that. Their clothing art is created exclusively by children, and every child artist gets a dollar for each shirt sold in his or her design. An additional dollar of every online sale goes to a charitable organization committed to children’s art. At a time when many art programs are being cut in schools, I’m thrilled that Bobiam is doing their part in encouraging children in artistic pursuits! And the streetwear sold by Bobiam is very cool! I love this tee that they sent me for review:

It has a child’s drawing of an alien on it, and it says, “Bobiam is an alien from planet Mars. His eye inside his eye can shoot laser beams. His feet are automatic & can drive him anywhere. His hands are meant to slice. Bobiam is a famous war hero on planet Mars.” I can just imagine my 8-year-old boys creating something like that! And the shirt is super-soft and comfortable. I love the “inside-out” style with seams on the outside. It’s very fashionable and flattering! And the shirts seem to run true-to-size. I ordered a Medium, my usual size, and it fits perfectly! Check out some of the other great kid-designed fashions from Bobiam Artistic Streetwear:

They have hoodies, v-necks, golf shirts, thermals, and many other styles. These are all high-quality products that are designed to last. I hope you’ll help support children’s artistic dreams by ordering some stylish apparel from Bobiam! You can also connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY

Bobiam Artistic Streetwear is generously offering a $30 gift card toward a Bobiam item of the winner’s choice! This giveaway is open to entrants aged 18+ who reside in the continental United States. To enter, just fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: Valerie Taylor Mabrey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chinese New Year Giveaway Hop: Enter to Win “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World” (4-Disc Combo Pack; $40 RV)! #CNYHOP

2012-01-13T00:01:00.019-05:00

Welcome to the Chinese New Year Giveaway Hop, brought to you by How Was Your Day? 2012 is the Year of the Dragon! The dragon is a sacred symbol in Chinese astrology. A dragon is symbolic of power and superiority, rather than a threatening symbol. People born under the sign of the dragon are special, considered widely to be strong and wise.

There are more than 50 blogs participating, each with a minimum $25 prize package! We also have a Grand Prize: the beautiful Chinoiserie Carlotta clutch purse (pictured above) from Dulce Mio. (Retail value: $35) You can earn entries for the Grand Prize by entering the giveaways hosted on each blog. You'll definitely want to see what everyone has to offer, so check out the linky after entering my giveaway below!

GIVEAWAY

For the Chinese New Year Giveaway Hop, I am giving away a special edition of the movie, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World. This special 4-disc combo pack contains a:

• Blu-Ray 3D disc (HD version of the film in 3D; plays in Blu-ray 3D players*)
• Blu-Ray disc (HD version of the film with Bonus features)
• DVD (Standard definition version of the film with Bonus features)
• Digital copy (Watch it anytime, anywhere on your computer and portable device; works with iTunes and Windows Media Player)

[*To watch the 3D version of this movie, you need: full HD 3D TV, compatible 3D glasses, full Blu-ray 3D player, and a high-speed HDMI cable.]

The action-packed franchise is back … with the next generation of Spy Kids! Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all: married to a famous spy-hunting television reporter (Joel McHale), with a new baby and intelligent twin step kids, Rebecca and Cecil. When maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) disrupts her domestic bliss -- threatening to take over the planet -- Marissa comes out of retirement as a top secret agent. With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action! With a little help from some familiar Spy Kids friends, Carmen (Alexa Vega), Juni (Daryl Sabara), and their faithful dog Argonaut (Ricky Gervais) and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world!

My boys and I saw this movie in the theater and loved it! We were awed by all the gadgets and fun spy gear, and the movie was packed full of action from start to finish. This movie is rated PG. More info can be found at www.spykidsmovie.net. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below! None of the entries are mandatory. The more you do, the more entries you get. Good luck!

Rafflecopter form:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now hop around to the other participating blogs for a chance to win more amazing prizes!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this movie, which I am donating for this giveaway.

It’s a Grab A Scab Giveaway!

2012-01-12T09:52:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I posted a review for Grab A Scab fabric patches, and I just received word that I can now offer a giveaway, too! In case you missed my review, Grab A Scabs are fabric sticker patches used to cover up holes in your child’s clothing. There’s no sewing required; just stick them on! Grab A Scabs are really tough and durable. They’re permanent and won’t tear, fray or fall off, even when they’re sent through the washing machine. And your kids will love the fun and unique designs! Here are a few that I didn’t show yesterday:

If your kids are rough on their clothes like my boys are, you’ll want to keep a supply of Grab A Scabs on hand. They’re great for patching those knees and elbows that always seem to split so quickly. You can even use them to decorate a plain T-shirt! I hope you’ll check them out today at www.grabascab.com.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a $25 gift pack of Grab A Scab fabric patches! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents and ends on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST. Just enter through the easy Rafflecopter form below.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: Sylvia!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Repair Your Kids’ Torn Clothes with Fun and Collectible Grab A Scab Patches! (GIVEAWAY)

2012-01-11T11:44:00.001-05:00

I’ve got eight-year-old twins, and they’re very rough on their clothes. I’m constantly throwing away clothes (or turning them into rags) because they’ve got tears and holes in them. I recently got rid of several pairs of jeans with huge holes because I didn’t know about a product called Grab A Scab! These fabric sticker patches are a HUGE improvement over the old iron-ons we had as a kid. You don’t have to sew them on (hurray!), but they’re still permanent once you stick them on your children’s clothes. Send them through the washing machine, and they won’t tear, fray or fall off. You can even personalize them with permanent ink that won’t wash away. Kids will love the fun designs, like these:

As you can see, they have designs that appeal to both boys and girls. CLICK HERE to see the full selection. Grab A Scabs are great to keep on hand, so you’ll want to order more than one at a time. When you order 2 or more, you receive 10% off your order. Get 6 or more for a 15% discount, and 20% off when you purchase 10 or more!

In addition to the original Grab A Scabs, they also carry smaller button Scabs in fun designs, Scabs that warn of a food allergy, reflective Scabs for safety on outerwear and backpacks, and even custom Scabs that you can order for your school, sports team, or other organization! CLICK HERE to find out how Grab A Scabs can be used in your next fundraising campaign.

I love the idea of Grab A Scabs, and now I’m almost excited about my twins’ next wardrobe disaster so I can repair it with a fun Grab A Scab! This ingenious product will save you money in repair and replacement clothing costs for your active children. Visit www.grabascab.com to learn more. Join Grab A Scab on Facebook and Twitter, too.

GIVEAWAY! To enter my giveaway for a chance to win a $25 gift pack of Grab A Scab fabric patches, CLICK HERE. (Open to US/Canadian residents. Ends 1/26/12.)

Life Is Great! Revealing the 7 Secrets to a More Joyful You!

2012-01-11T09:24:00.000-05:00

Guest post by Alison Bailin Batz

Each New Year, there is a renewed sense of hope in all of our lives. We resolve to make changes and reevaluate the true priorities in our lives.

Ever think of making life itself a priority?

Rabbi Yitz Wyne does. So much so, he has just launched a book on the topic.

In his book, which is titled Life Is GREAT! Revealing the 7 Secrets to a More Joyful You, he focuses on expanding the quality and quantity of meaning, value, passion and joy in ALL of our life experiences.

Honed from more than 20 years in the rabbinate, as a counselor and advisor to hundreds of couples, singles, parents and even children, Rabbi Wyne -- a father of six -- infuses Life Is GREAT! with the kind of real-life relationship and personal challenges that each of us can relate to. His proven successful tips at the end of each chapter will help even the most skeptical of pundits cultivate more joy in his/her daily life.

Life Is Great! Revealing the 7 Secrets to a More Joyful You was written for the happy and the soon-to-be happier with the firm belief that everyone benefits from living a more joyful life.

Rabbi Wyne believes that “happiness is what you feel when you appreciate that life is good. It is not a selfish or trivial pursuit -- it is a very important issue.”

“Happier people make the world a better place. They treat themselves and others better. This book will teach each person how to become happier and will empower him or her to make the lives of others better as well,” said Rabbi Wyne.

Just a sampling of powerful messages readers have already taken from the book:

• Happiness is powerful … and that comes from appreciating that life is good. It doesn’t come from what we possess.
• Joy and happiness fuel all aspects of greatness.
• Clarity is one of the most important aspects of our lives. Clarity brings about joy. Clarity demands that we are honest with ourselves.
• Realizing what you are willing to die for is realizing what you are willing to live for. And if you are willing to die and live for it, it is worth enjoying.
• Your ability to life joyfully is not dependent on anyone else. No one can make you happy or make you sad.
• Living with happiness and joy gives us the energy and focus to do what we need to do and makes us more giving human beings.
• There are wonderful things around us all the time; choose to see them.
• Be generous with your happiness -- show it through time and treasures.

To read a selection of excerpts from the book, please click here.

For more information or to order a copy of the book, please click here.

Guest blogger Alison Bailin Batz, the daughter of an English teacher, is an avid reader and a freelance writer in Phoenix who has been published in So Scottsdale Magazine, Arizona Vines & Wines Magazine, Scottsdale Health Magazine, Arizona Business Magazine, Go Gilbert Magazine, 202 Magazine and many more. She is on twitter at www.twitter.com/abailin.

Taber Is Beautiful: A Children’s Book That Builds Self-Esteem (GIVEAWAY)

2012-01-10T09:45:00.024-05:00

Today, I’m pleased to present an exclusive interview with Samantha DeGrasse, author of the lovely children’s book, Taber Is Beautiful. Following the interview is a terrific opportunity to win an autographed copy of her book, along with a plush horse and bookmark!

What is Taber Is Beautiful about?
Taber is the story of a horse who struggles with confidence and self-esteem because of a mole on her nose. She is bullied and teased because she doesn’t look like everyone else. It is a wonderful story of a courageous horse that learns a lesson in how to stand up to her friends and accept herself for whom and how she is.

How did you get the idea to write this book?
This book is years in the making. When I first wrote the book, I certainly did not have it in mind for a horse to be the character; it was anything but that. But once the horse became an established character, it somehow worked. Horses are known for their strength, and as a little girl I was anything but that. I struggled with insecurities and features on my body I did not like. As I got older and started writing children’s books, I knew I was not the only one. Self-esteem, confidence, and bullying are topics that children went through twenty years ago, are going through now, and will continue for years to come.

What message are you hoping to send to children with Taber’s story?
I was in New York for a book signing, and I had an adult who pulled me aside and thanked me for writing the book. She too had a mole on her nose and was contemplating drastic measures to get it removed. She never felt normal and always insecure. It was when she read my book that she felt as if a weight were lifted off her shoulders, and she was able to accept how she looked. It is moments like that why I believe in my book and its message, and want my book in everyone’s hands from 8 months to 80 years old.

Do you have plans for any future projects with Taber?
I am in the process of creating a Taber series. In each book, readers are invited to Taber’s world as she experiences different life lessons. The next book is titled Taber Learns Another Lesson. Be on the lookout for this release early next year.

How can we purchase Taber Is Beautiful?
Copies of the book are available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. They are in local bookstores depending on the state, such as Nashville, Atlanta and New York. If you have any questions on book signings and appearances or would like to invite me to your city, please contact me on my web site at www.samanthadegrasse.com and by e-mail at samantha.degrasse@gmail.com.

GIVEAWAY

Author Samantha DeGrasse has generously offered an autographed copy of Taber Is Beautiful, a 4-inch plush horse, and a bookmark to one lucky reader! To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: exotic1!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Toast to 2012 Giveaway Hop: Enter to Win a Lovable Labels Friendship Pack, Awesome Gift Cards, and More Great Prizes! #ToastTo2012

2012-01-10T00:01:00.037-05:00

Welcome to the Toast to 2012 Giveaway Hop! Every blogger in this amazing event will be offering a prize valued at a minimum of $25. In addition, you can enter to win the Toast to 2012 GRAND PRIZE! Make sure to ENTER TO WIN 1 of 5 $100 PayPal or Visa Gift Cards!!!

Toast to 2012 is hosted by Sweep Tight and Just Married with Coupons and the Grand Prize is sponsored by Likeographers.com.

Likeographers.com is a website where users from all over the world can enter awesome giveaways where they can win items such as gift cards and makeup by simply signing up and uploading a candid photo. Likeographers.com is dedicated to providing a place where users can upload a picture of their likes, share them with the world and win awesome prizes.

The Toast to 2012 Giveaway Hop will begin at 12:01 AM EST on January 10th and end on January 17th at 11:59 PM EST. Again, here are the three ways you can enter to win:

1. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win the awesome Lovable Labels Friendship Pack (details below)!

2. Visit the linky at the bottom of this post to find more great giveaways hosted by the blogs participating in the Toast to 2012 Giveaway Hop.

3. Click HERE to enter the Grand Prize giveaway for 1 of 5 $100 PayPal or Visa Gift Cards!

GIVEAWAY FROM LOVABLE LABELS

If you’ve got kids, then Lovable Labels are a “must-have” for labeling all of your children’s stuff, from sports equipment and clothing to school supplies, backpacks and lunch bags! They have just about any kind of label you could possibly imagine to help ensure that your children’s belongings make their way back to you. Plus, they’re colorful, fun, and of excellent quality!

For this giveaway, Lovable Labels has generously supplied us with a “Friendship Pack” for one lucky winner! Thanks, Lovable Labels! The Friendship Pack is jam-packed with 120 labels (30 Sticker Labels, 80 Slimline Labels and 10 mini Fun Stickies), and as a bonus they are including a free Friendship Sampler Pack that includes 40 Slimline Labels for your child’s friend! The Friendship Pack is valued at $25!

To enter, simply follow the directions in the Rafflecopter form below.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: Lisa Smith!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now “hop” on over to the other blogs participating in the Toast to 2012 Giveaway Hop for the chance to win more amazing prizes!

Sign-Ups Are Open for the Playing with Fire Kindle Giveaway Event!

2012-01-09T20:47:00.000-05:00

Bloggers, are you looking to gain followers on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email subscriptions and more? Want to host a big giveaway on your blog? Giveaway events are an awesome way to boost your followers, as well as offer a stellar prize to your readers! Don’t have a ton to spend? This event is affordable at only $5 for two links! You can even purchase two additional links for $3 each.

Giveaway Details

Dates: January 17-31, 2012

Cost: $5. This gets you two links. You can purchase up to two more links at $3/each.

Grand Prize: One lucky entrant will win a Kindle Fire ($199 value!), complete with Wi-Fi, apps, and more! Sweet!

Sign Up!
To join this event, fill out this form (http://svy.mk/wit4Ae). Once you do, you will receive an email with a link to the Facebook group where you can receive updates about the event, along with other important information.

Payment Details: Make payment via PayPal to ashley@freckleberryfinds.com as a GIFT. In the notes section, include your blog name so we can see who has paid.

Want to get in to the event for free? The blogger who refers the most blogs will have their entry fee refunded! True story!

Here’s how you can promote this event:

Tweet and Facebook: “Playing with Fire Kindle giveaway event sign-ups are open! $5 buy-in! Make sure you say **YOUR BLOG** sent you! http://bit.ly/xKtOwi”

Sign-ups will close January 15. Once you fill out the form and submit payment, you'll receive an email with important information. I hope you'll join me! Don't forget to say SUSAN HEIM ON PARENTING referred you!

Rafflecopter Launch Party Giveaway: Win an iPad 2 and a Kindle Fire! (US/CAN)

2012-01-09T00:01:00.007-05:00

To celebrate the new year, Rafflecopter is going to give away a 16GB Apple iPad 2 and several Kindle Fires! The giveaway starts Monday 1/9 at 12:01 a.m. and lasts for a month. To enter, simply tell them who referred you to this giveaway! (Please put “Susan Heim on Parenting”!) You can receive additional entries by tweeting about this giveaway, following Rafflecopter on twitter, and giving them feedback. In addition, they’re doing something a little special to make things more fun:

Suggest a Mascot Name -- You’ve seen the Rafflecopter smiley-face dude hanging around the web. The poor guy needs a name, and Rafflecopter wants to leave it up to you to decide what his (or her?) name should be. For an additional entry, suggest a name! After the giveaway is over, they’ll go through the list of names and pick out their favorite suggestions (be creative!) and bring it to a vote on Facebook. If your name is chosen, you’ll win a Kindle Fire and be immortalized in Rafflecopter history :) Now on to the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Discover the Life of a Sea Turtle in "A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures"!

2012-01-08T20:34:00.000-05:00

We live in south Florida, so the fragile lives of sea turtles are a big part of our education. When we go to the beach, we often see parts of the beach cordoned off to protect fragile seat turtle nests. And my children and I are frequent visitors to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation center. We’ve watched them release baby turtles back into the ocean, and we’ve gone to the ocean at midnight to watch a mama turtle dig out a nest in the sand and lay her eggs. We’ve also seen plenty of turtles at Gumbo Limbo that have been injured by boat propellers or weakened by disease. So, we took a special interest when we heard about the new animated movie, A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy's Adventures.

Featuring the voice talents of Melanie Griffith, Kathy Griffin, Tim Curry, Anthony Anderson, and Stacy Keach, A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures shows Sammy’s amazing fifty-year journey through the life of a sea turtle. Born on the beach in Baja, California, newborn Sammy joins his fellow hatchlings in a dash for the water to avoid getting gobbled up by a crab or seagull. Throughout his life, Sammy gains a best friend, Ray, and seeks out Shelly, his first love. Along the way, he encounters both man-made and natural obstacles, just like a real sea turtle.

A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures not only educates the whole family about the life of a sea turtle, but is also highly entertaining, with plenty of adventure and even a rousing soundtrack with music by artists like The Mamas & The Papas and Michael Jackson. My boys greatly enjoyed this movie. It’s an excellent choice for your next Family Movie Night! You can purchase A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures on DVD or download a copy from iTunes at http://tinyurl.com/SammytheTurtle.

Clean Water for Elirose: Teaching Children to Help Others

2012-01-07T17:12:00.001-05:00

Most children in the United States have plenty to drink. Juice, soda, milk, fresh water and more are available at their fingertips. They don’t realize that children in other countries often don’t have good things to drink like they do. In Clean Water for Elirose, by Ariah Fine (with illustrations by Don Robb), we learn that Elirose never gets to drink juice or soda. Her water is dirty and has to be hauled from a great distance! So, four American children decide to help Elirose’s village get a well so they can have access to clean water right where they live. Through various fundraising activities, they are able to save enough money to build a well in Elirose’s village!

The children in the story learn, “When we all work together to share, we make the world a better place for all of us kids.” In reading this book, children discover that even the little people in the world, like themselves, can make a big difference! They also see the value of sacrifice in the book when the children give up expensive milkshakes and ask others for donations so they can raise money to help someone else. At the end of the book are discussion questions for your family or classroom to encourage kids to think about others. Additional activities and ideas are also suggested, both in the back of the book and at www.cleanwaterforelirose.com.

You can see an online version of Clean Water for Elirose at http://cleanwaterforelirose.ariahfine.com/. When you order a copy for a minimum of $3.00 (with free shipping), all the profits go to support clean water projects! Order today at http://cleanwaterforelirose.com/order/. And be sure to order with your children so they can see how to take the first step in getting clean water to children around the world.

Winners for the Week of January 1, 2012

2012-01-07T08:34:00.011-05:00

It was a great start to the new year for the following lucky winners. Be sure to continue checking my right sidebar for more great prizes to win!

$100 AMAZON TWITTER BLAST

Congratulations to the winners: kate w., Brooke F., Jody S., Evileyes I., Crystal’s P., Shelly O., Lacy, and Renate G.!

R.W. KNUDSEN FAMILY CELEBRATORY JUICES

Congratulations to the winner: latanya!

Super Saturday Giveaway Linky (January 7, 2012)

2012-01-06T23:01:00.005-05:00

Hurray! It’s the first linky of the new year! I have some really amazing giveaway events coming up very soon, so I hope you’ll keep your eyes on my right sidebar and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! Check out the great giveaways in the linky below, and if you’re hosting one on your site, be sure to include it so we can all enter!

New Feature: In the Spotlight!

2012-01-06T19:57:00.001-05:00

I’m excited to announce a new feature on Susan Heim on Parenting called “In the Spotlight”! Each Sunday, I’ll feature a blogger interview so you can get to know some of the wonderful people in the blogging world. However, fair warning to bloggers, the questions you’ll be asked to answer won’t be the typical boring ones like “When did you start your blog?” Instead, you’ll receive a selection of really fun or creative questions to answer like “Which actor should play you in a movie of your life and why?” or “If you could create the perfect planet, what would be on it?” In other words, I want every interview to be unique and really show your personality! Of course, we’ll also include a description of your blog, your blog button, and a link so new readers can visit and get to know you better.

If you’re a blogger and willing to be put “In the Spotlight,” please send your name, blog name and URL to me at smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com. Put “In the Spotlight” in the subject line. Each week, I’ll randomly select a blogger to be featured. (Only family-friendly bloggers, please. I reserve the right to refuse any bloggers or answers that aren’t appropriate for this blog.) I think we’re all going to have a lot of fun getting to know the awesome people in cyberspace!

Improve Your Home’s Appearance with a Gorgeous Address Plaque!

2012-01-06T13:54:00.001-05:00

It can get expensive to improve the exterior appearance of your home, but even little touches that don’t cost a lot can make a big difference. One way to add a touch of class to homes is by adding residential address plaques. At JustAddressPlaques.com, they have a huge variety of personalized address plaques. Check out some of the beautiful designs below:

You can also purchase custom address plaques for the lawn!

I love this idea to hang your address plaque on a decorative post!

I can’t get over how beautiful the designs are at JustAddressPlaques.com. Quit buying those stick-on letters and numbers from the hardware store. Add some style and beauty to your home with a personalized address plaque. Be sure to sign up for the JustAddressPlaques.com mailing list to receive daily updates for the Deal of the Day!

Krona Cookware Giveaway from The Prepared Pantry!

2012-01-06T11:33:00.001-05:00

In the month of January, The Prepared Pantry is giving away the Krona Cookware set shown above to one lucky winner! The Krona line of cookware is made with the finest quality stainless steel with superior cladding technology. The tri-ply encapsulated cladding ensures superb heat conductivity for rapid, even cooking. Its unique construction sandwiches a layer of aluminum between two layers of stainless steel. The giveaway includes a Krona skillet, pot, and double boiler, and usually sells for $227! CLICK HERE to enter to win this excellent quality cookware.

New on DVD: A Mile in His Shoes, Starring Dean Cain! (GIVEAWAY)

2012-01-06T10:58:00.001-05:00

Back in September, I told you about an inspirational movie that aired on GMC called A Mile in His Shoes. It’s based on the true story of Mickey Tussler, a teenager with a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome who becomes a star pitcher for a minor league baseball team! It features an all-star cast of Dean Cain, Luke Schroder (son of actor Ricky Schroder), and country music singer George Canyon. I really enjoyed A Mile in His Shoes because it’s more than just another baseball story. It’s also a great lead-in to discussions with your children about disabilities, loss, bullying, family, and much more. Mickey’s story shows that we’re all capable of greatness and worthy of love. (You can read my full review HERE.) In just a few days, A Mile in His Shoes will be out on DVD! To celebrate, I have the opportunity for one lucky person to win a copy!

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive a copy of the new DVD, A Mile in His Shoes! To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner: Nicole C.!

a Rafflecopter giveaway