I know I say this every year, but I certainly hope that the coming year is better than the one we are leaving behind! May the coming year be incredible for you and your family, too!
31 December 2011
Happy New Year!
I know I say this every year, but I certainly hope that the coming year is better than the one we are leaving behind! May the coming year be incredible for you and your family, too!
Well, It's Not Exactly Snow...
But it sure feels like a winter wonderland with all the frost outside!
(Believe me, I can live without the snow! lol)
(Believe me, I can live without the snow! lol)
Review: Tyler's Coffee
If you suffer from acid reflux, many food and drinks you once loved, you can no longer enjoy. If coffee is one of those, then you might want to give Tyler's Coffee a try.
Tyler's Coffee uses a “Z-Roasting” process that optimizes the time the coffee beans are cooked and the result is high levels of caffeine and free of acid. The “Z-Roasting” system is computerized to optimize roasting time to assure that Tyler’s Coffee is acid free with maximum flavor. Tyler's Coffee uses hand-picked Arabica beans that are shipped from South America to their roasting factory in Arizona.
I was sent a packet of the Regular variety to try out. Since it was a small packet meant to brew about 10-12 ounces, I decided to make it with a French Press coffee maker. Tyler's Coffee suggests that you brew with purified water to give a cleaner taste, as simple tap water can cause an unpleasant chemical taste.
I'll be honest: I wasn't running out to the store to buy distilled water for one small pot of coffee. (I'm nuts, but not that nuts!) I simply used my PUR filtered water to make the coffee.
Upon opening the foil package, I was greeted with a nice smell of the Arabica beans. I always make fun of those commercials where they are sniffing the open package of coffee LOL - but really, some of the open packages you can barely smell the coffee, and Tyler's Coffee you could definitely smell the beans!
It was easy enough to make the coffee, and tasted alright. I didn't notice any chemical taste, so I guess the PUR filtered water was more than enough! The one thing I noticed was that the coffee tasted best that hotter it was - I walked away from my cup for a few minutes, and it had cooled down - the cooled coffee was bland and I tossed the last bit out. I don't think after tasting it cooled that this coffee would work at all as an iced coffee, but that could just be my opinion. While coffee rarely is a trigger for my acid issues, I didn't have any problems drinking this.
A week's supply of Tyler's Coffee costs $26.00, while a month's costs $60.00 with free shipping. One “Perk Pack” as the week's supply is known, will make approximately 18 cups of coffee. Personally, I think this is on the high side myself, but if you are suffering from acid reflux and are desperate for that coffee taste without the pain, then it could be worth it for you. $26 just 18 cups of coffee is out of my personal household budget.
I received a sample of the product mentioned above in order to try it out and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Tyler's Coffee uses a “Z-Roasting” process that optimizes the time the coffee beans are cooked and the result is high levels of caffeine and free of acid. The “Z-Roasting” system is computerized to optimize roasting time to assure that Tyler’s Coffee is acid free with maximum flavor. Tyler's Coffee uses hand-picked Arabica beans that are shipped from South America to their roasting factory in Arizona.
I was sent a packet of the Regular variety to try out. Since it was a small packet meant to brew about 10-12 ounces, I decided to make it with a French Press coffee maker. Tyler's Coffee suggests that you brew with purified water to give a cleaner taste, as simple tap water can cause an unpleasant chemical taste.
I'll be honest: I wasn't running out to the store to buy distilled water for one small pot of coffee. (I'm nuts, but not that nuts!) I simply used my PUR filtered water to make the coffee.
Upon opening the foil package, I was greeted with a nice smell of the Arabica beans. I always make fun of those commercials where they are sniffing the open package of coffee LOL - but really, some of the open packages you can barely smell the coffee, and Tyler's Coffee you could definitely smell the beans!
It was easy enough to make the coffee, and tasted alright. I didn't notice any chemical taste, so I guess the PUR filtered water was more than enough! The one thing I noticed was that the coffee tasted best that hotter it was - I walked away from my cup for a few minutes, and it had cooled down - the cooled coffee was bland and I tossed the last bit out. I don't think after tasting it cooled that this coffee would work at all as an iced coffee, but that could just be my opinion. While coffee rarely is a trigger for my acid issues, I didn't have any problems drinking this.
A week's supply of Tyler's Coffee costs $26.00, while a month's costs $60.00 with free shipping. One “Perk Pack” as the week's supply is known, will make approximately 18 cups of coffee. Personally, I think this is on the high side myself, but if you are suffering from acid reflux and are desperate for that coffee taste without the pain, then it could be worth it for you. $26 just 18 cups of coffee is out of my personal household budget.
I received a sample of the product mentioned above in order to try it out and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
30 December 2011
Storing Candles
Over the holidays, many of us love to use candles in our decorations - either at the table or on the fireplace mantelpiece. Retailers know this too, and so there are always plenty of candle clearances this time of year! Sometimes you can score candles for pennies on the dollar - but you need to store them properly, or come when it's time to use them, you can end up with a warped, melted mess.
First of all, candles always need to be stored lying flat, especially if they are a taper candle. A long flat box is best to keep them stored in. (I reused one of the Hickory Farms gift boxes for mine - it is long, but not too deep, so it was perfect to store taper candles in!) Clear boxes are tempting since you can see what is in them, but you want to keep your candles out of the light as light damages them. Just be sure to label your box so you can easily find your candles, especially if you are planning to use them in case of power outage. (Safety rules apply here)
Don't layer too many candles on top of each other. If the candles you are purchasing are scented, try to keep them in their original wrapping to keep the scent in. If you no longer have the wrapping, simply wrap the candle in a layer of plastic wrap. Use leftover tissue paper around candles to keep them from bumping into each other and chipping. For candles in glass containers, wrap with leftover bubble wrap.
Don't store candles long term in a fridge or freezer. For a few hours it can help them burn longer, yes, but long term will cause the candles to crack, especially with taper candles, which could become a fire hazard if a candle is used with an unseen small crack!
Do keep the candles stored in the coolest part of your home, preferably a dark closet. The attic or garage can be tempting, but the summer heat can cause them to warp or melt completely.
First of all, candles always need to be stored lying flat, especially if they are a taper candle. A long flat box is best to keep them stored in. (I reused one of the Hickory Farms gift boxes for mine - it is long, but not too deep, so it was perfect to store taper candles in!) Clear boxes are tempting since you can see what is in them, but you want to keep your candles out of the light as light damages them. Just be sure to label your box so you can easily find your candles, especially if you are planning to use them in case of power outage. (Safety rules apply here)
Don't layer too many candles on top of each other. If the candles you are purchasing are scented, try to keep them in their original wrapping to keep the scent in. If you no longer have the wrapping, simply wrap the candle in a layer of plastic wrap. Use leftover tissue paper around candles to keep them from bumping into each other and chipping. For candles in glass containers, wrap with leftover bubble wrap.
Don't store candles long term in a fridge or freezer. For a few hours it can help them burn longer, yes, but long term will cause the candles to crack, especially with taper candles, which could become a fire hazard if a candle is used with an unseen small crack!
Do keep the candles stored in the coolest part of your home, preferably a dark closet. The attic or garage can be tempting, but the summer heat can cause them to warp or melt completely.
DVD Review: Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off
My family and I recently received a copy of the newest animated Nickelodeon DVD release, Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off, to review.
Break out your cold weather gear (well, if you haven't already!), because winter is coming to Bikini Bottom! Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off contains seven episodes from season eight. In the title episode, Frozen Face-Off, a big worm sled race to the South Pole is happening in Bikini Bottom. The grand prize is one million clams! Will Spongebob's team win?
It also includes the episodes "Accidents Will Happen", "The Other Patty", "Drive Thru", "The Hot Shot", "A Friendly Game", and "Sentimental Sponge", where Spongebob can't bring himself to throw anything away when he realizes everything has a memory attached to it. (Yes, hoarding has come to Bikini Bottom! lol)
The DVD includes several special features, including two episodes from Fanboy & Chum Chum: "The Last Strawberry Fun Finger" and "Power Out", as well as two episodes from T.U.F.F. Puppy: "Snappy Campers" and "Lucky Duck". If you're unfamiliar with either show, both appeal to about the same age range as Spongebob does, with the same off-the-wall sense of humor. Maybe a little more off the wall in Fanboy & Chum Chum, but if you don't object to Spongebob, I don't think you'll find F&CC any worse. (That show has actually become my husband's guilty pleasure, lol)
Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off will be available on DVD this coming Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012. Not rated, but best for the ages 5-7 and up crowd, it has a total running time of 88 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $16.99, but Amazon has it available for $12.99 as of this posting. (Netflix users: this title is not currently available, but you can watch many older episodes via instant streaming)
I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Break out your cold weather gear (well, if you haven't already!), because winter is coming to Bikini Bottom! Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off contains seven episodes from season eight. In the title episode, Frozen Face-Off, a big worm sled race to the South Pole is happening in Bikini Bottom. The grand prize is one million clams! Will Spongebob's team win?
It also includes the episodes "Accidents Will Happen", "The Other Patty", "Drive Thru", "The Hot Shot", "A Friendly Game", and "Sentimental Sponge", where Spongebob can't bring himself to throw anything away when he realizes everything has a memory attached to it. (Yes, hoarding has come to Bikini Bottom! lol)
The DVD includes several special features, including two episodes from Fanboy & Chum Chum: "The Last Strawberry Fun Finger" and "Power Out", as well as two episodes from T.U.F.F. Puppy: "Snappy Campers" and "Lucky Duck". If you're unfamiliar with either show, both appeal to about the same age range as Spongebob does, with the same off-the-wall sense of humor. Maybe a little more off the wall in Fanboy & Chum Chum, but if you don't object to Spongebob, I don't think you'll find F&CC any worse. (That show has actually become my husband's guilty pleasure, lol)
Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Frozen Face-Off will be available on DVD this coming Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012. Not rated, but best for the ages 5-7 and up crowd, it has a total running time of 88 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $16.99, but Amazon has it available for $12.99 as of this posting. (Netflix users: this title is not currently available, but you can watch many older episodes via instant streaming)
I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Review: Private Selections Frozen Pizza
As a BzzAgent, I recently had the opportunity to try some of the new Private Selection foods sold at the Kroger company of stores, including Fred Meyer and QFC here in the Northwest. One of the products we got to taste at home was the Private Selection Pepperoni Pizza, which retailed for $5.99 in our local Fred Meyer.
Frozen pizza definitely is a convenience food - just toss in the oven and bake. Usually it's done faster than delivery can arrive, and it gives moms a break from cooking.
...except this Mom still had to cook, because the pizza was so small, it wasn't enough. One pizza was enough for four small slices - which is fine for me, and the kiddo, but a hungry husband could eat the entire thing and still be starving. The thin crust was flaky, and while baking it on the oven rack itself would have made the crust even crispier, I don't put food directly onto racks that have been cleaned with oven cleaner (ick!). This led to the toppings not quite melting all the way.
I'd call this a complete disappointment. For $5.99, I can make an incredible pizza from scratch myself with tons of toppings - not just a dozen slices of pepperoni. Even on sale, I don't think I'd bother. Sorry, Private Selection Frozen Pizza - you might be great for other homes, but not in ours.
If you're interested in giving it a try, the Private Selection Frozen Pizzas also come in BBQ Chicken, Margherita, and Roasted Vegetable varieties. You'll find them in the freezer case with the other brands of frozen pizza.
I received free product coupons as a BzzAgent in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts with others.
Frozen pizza definitely is a convenience food - just toss in the oven and bake. Usually it's done faster than delivery can arrive, and it gives moms a break from cooking.
...except this Mom still had to cook, because the pizza was so small, it wasn't enough. One pizza was enough for four small slices - which is fine for me, and the kiddo, but a hungry husband could eat the entire thing and still be starving. The thin crust was flaky, and while baking it on the oven rack itself would have made the crust even crispier, I don't put food directly onto racks that have been cleaned with oven cleaner (ick!). This led to the toppings not quite melting all the way.
I'd call this a complete disappointment. For $5.99, I can make an incredible pizza from scratch myself with tons of toppings - not just a dozen slices of pepperoni. Even on sale, I don't think I'd bother. Sorry, Private Selection Frozen Pizza - you might be great for other homes, but not in ours.
If you're interested in giving it a try, the Private Selection Frozen Pizzas also come in BBQ Chicken, Margherita, and Roasted Vegetable varieties. You'll find them in the freezer case with the other brands of frozen pizza.
I received free product coupons as a BzzAgent in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts with others.
Friday's Featured Etsy: Robin Hood Couture
Welcome to my Friday's Featured post, in which I showcase Etsy stores and small businesses from folks like you and me. Recession, smession! ;)
Our stop on our this week's journey through Etsy land is a store called Robin Hood Couture.
Robin Hood Couture is a Canadian based Etsy store that creates Victorian Jewelry and Steampunk iPhone Blackberry Cases. A mix of eclectic accessories for girls and guys, she happily combines shipping - all additional items purchased from the store ship for no extra charge!
Look at this lovely Red Rose Necklace - Alice in Wonderland:
One of my personal favorites is this gorgeous Blue Goldstone Locket - Night Sky:
If you have a guy in your life who also loves steampunk, this iPhone 4 4S Case - Steampunk Ship Wheel would be a neat yet practical Valentine's Day gift!
Stop by Robin Hood Couture today and have a look around! Support handmade!
Our stop on our this week's journey through Etsy land is a store called Robin Hood Couture.
Robin Hood Couture is a Canadian based Etsy store that creates Victorian Jewelry and Steampunk iPhone Blackberry Cases. A mix of eclectic accessories for girls and guys, she happily combines shipping - all additional items purchased from the store ship for no extra charge!
Look at this lovely Red Rose Necklace - Alice in Wonderland:
One of my personal favorites is this gorgeous Blue Goldstone Locket - Night Sky:
If you have a guy in your life who also loves steampunk, this iPhone 4 4S Case - Steampunk Ship Wheel would be a neat yet practical Valentine's Day gift!
Stop by Robin Hood Couture today and have a look around! Support handmade!
29 December 2011
Contest: Challenge Butter's Real Heritage Recipe Contest
I love being in my kitchen, and I love knowing that the food I am making is enjoyed by my family. I don't have many recipes that have been handed down in my family - well, my mother is known for her marzipan, my grandmother for her apple cake. In my husband's family, his Tia (Aunt) who passed away a few months back was known for her divine tortillas. (You know the song "Nothing Compares 2 U" - his whole family practically sings that when it came to her tortillas. LOL)
Sometimes I sit back and wonder what recipe I'll be known for down the road. As long as it's because the food was good - and not bad! LOL - I'll be thrilled. I didn't spend much time in the kitchen as a child, so I have been trying to make sure my daughter will know her way around the kitchen. Just before the holidays, we went on a baking spree. One of the easiest recipes she was able to help me with was the Peanut Butter Dog Cookies for the Corgis:
We made yummy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies:
And the last batch of cookies that I ended up messing up was my Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies. I was rushing to get the baking done before dinner, and kapow - I didn't clean my cookies sheets in between batches and ended up with flat cookies. Boooo. At least they still tasted good. LOL Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) Challenge butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups Chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup dried cherries
Preheat oven to 375. Mix the flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Next, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Follow by adding the eggs, one at a time, and beating well after each one. Carefully beat in flour mixture. Finally, stir in chocolate chips, nuts, and cherries. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until they look golden brown. Remove from the sheets, and allow to cool on a baking wire rack.
I'd show a picture here normally, but I'm not kidding when I say they came out looking awful! Trust me though, they taste really good!
If you have a wonderful recipe that's been handed down through the generations, or maybe you've tweaked a newer recipe that everyone asks you to make over and over again, you have to enter Challenge Butter's Real Heritage Recipe Contest.
Simply share the recipe, and the story behind the recipe. Do you have a wonderful dessert your mami learned to make from her mami? A special side dish that your great-great-aunt created back in the 1800's? Or maybe a special loaf of bread that every one adores? As long as one of the ingredients is Challenge butter, you could win $500 worth of Good Cook products and $2500 CASH! 12 finalists will score $250 worth of Good Cook products too!
The contest runs through January 3rd, so hurry on over and enter now!
I received free product and Good Cook kitchenware in exchange for sharing this information.
Sometimes I sit back and wonder what recipe I'll be known for down the road. As long as it's because the food was good - and not bad! LOL - I'll be thrilled. I didn't spend much time in the kitchen as a child, so I have been trying to make sure my daughter will know her way around the kitchen. Just before the holidays, we went on a baking spree. One of the easiest recipes she was able to help me with was the Peanut Butter Dog Cookies for the Corgis:
We made yummy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies:
And the last batch of cookies that I ended up messing up was my Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies. I was rushing to get the baking done before dinner, and kapow - I didn't clean my cookies sheets in between batches and ended up with flat cookies. Boooo. At least they still tasted good. LOL Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) Challenge butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups Chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup dried cherries
Preheat oven to 375. Mix the flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Next, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Follow by adding the eggs, one at a time, and beating well after each one. Carefully beat in flour mixture. Finally, stir in chocolate chips, nuts, and cherries. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until they look golden brown. Remove from the sheets, and allow to cool on a baking wire rack.
I'd show a picture here normally, but I'm not kidding when I say they came out looking awful! Trust me though, they taste really good!
If you have a wonderful recipe that's been handed down through the generations, or maybe you've tweaked a newer recipe that everyone asks you to make over and over again, you have to enter Challenge Butter's Real Heritage Recipe Contest.
Simply share the recipe, and the story behind the recipe. Do you have a wonderful dessert your mami learned to make from her mami? A special side dish that your great-great-aunt created back in the 1800's? Or maybe a special loaf of bread that every one adores? As long as one of the ingredients is Challenge butter, you could win $500 worth of Good Cook products and $2500 CASH! 12 finalists will score $250 worth of Good Cook products too!
The contest runs through January 3rd, so hurry on over and enter now!
I received free product and Good Cook kitchenware in exchange for sharing this information.
Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here's a yummy chocolate chip cookie with an emphasis on the chocolate!
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt - and then set aside for a few minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Next, you'll want to slowly add the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended. Follow this by mixing in the chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. (I repeat UNGREASED cookie sheets. If you are doing multiple batches of cookies, wait for the sheets to cool and then wash them quickly between baking batches. When that butter starts to melt as it's baking, it greases the sheets - even if your cookie sheet looks alright, it's best to go ahead and clean them between batches. I know, it's an extra step and a pain, but I ruined the next batch because I was trying to hurry and get them in the oven!)
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
I need an oat based double chocolate recipe - do you have one you use? Please share if you do!
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt - and then set aside for a few minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Next, you'll want to slowly add the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended. Follow this by mixing in the chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. (I repeat UNGREASED cookie sheets. If you are doing multiple batches of cookies, wait for the sheets to cool and then wash them quickly between baking batches. When that butter starts to melt as it's baking, it greases the sheets - even if your cookie sheet looks alright, it's best to go ahead and clean them between batches. I know, it's an extra step and a pain, but I ruined the next batch because I was trying to hurry and get them in the oven!)
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
I need an oat based double chocolate recipe - do you have one you use? Please share if you do!
Dear Kirk,
I know what car you drive, down to the model and year.
I even know when your last oil change was and where you have it done.
I know that you have a fondness for online gaming. You like to purchase in-game items for those games, too.
I know your political choices, down to who you voted in the last election.
You'd think we were best friends, but our paths have never crossed.
You see Kirk doesn't bother to double check his email address when he gives it out, and always gives MINE. I'm guessing he uses something like an auto former filler, and never double checked that the address he entered was correct.
Let this be a lesson in privacy and online safety for all: when you're entering your information online, from making a purchase to signing up for an email list to entering a contest - be very sure that your information is correct. Not everyone is as nice as me and simply hits the delete button and unsubscribe - others can take that information and do very bad things. :(
I even know when your last oil change was and where you have it done.
I know that you have a fondness for online gaming. You like to purchase in-game items for those games, too.
I know your political choices, down to who you voted in the last election.
You'd think we were best friends, but our paths have never crossed.
You see Kirk doesn't bother to double check his email address when he gives it out, and always gives MINE. I'm guessing he uses something like an auto former filler, and never double checked that the address he entered was correct.
Let this be a lesson in privacy and online safety for all: when you're entering your information online, from making a purchase to signing up for an email list to entering a contest - be very sure that your information is correct. Not everyone is as nice as me and simply hits the delete button and unsubscribe - others can take that information and do very bad things. :(
EdenFantasys Review: Coquette Fully Boned Corset
Please note that while the following post doesn't contain anything controversial - well, I hope not, anyways - the site the post links to may be considered risque to some, and is not intended for those under the age of 18.
As I have mentioned on here before, I have a corset addiction. I started wearing them back when I was 12 (I know, scandalous to some of you!), and I was so comfortable wearing them, that I wore them almost every day. Yes, even to school! In recent years, I've gotten out of wearing one on a daily basis, and I can tell the difference in my back - I slouch more! I don't feel as put together either when I leave the house not wearing them - I feel LAZY. It's not just about feeling sexy for me.
EdenFantasys has several really nice corsets, including one I added to my collection a few weeks ago: the Fully boned lace and satin corset, which is made by Coquette.
Some corsets are what I just call "tourist corsets" - it sounds funny, I know, but some corsets really aren't made to be worn more than a few minutes in the bedroom, and those are the "tourist corsets". Don't get me wrong, they can be fun - but I like the real deal. I loved this corset, because the corset fits right without being too uncomfortable. The lace over the fabric is pretty, and it comes with removable garters - so if you hate to wear thigh highs, you can skip this part of the lingerie. It laces up the back, and has hook and eye closures in the front. Now if you're looking for a hardcore corset - the ones that really cinch in your waist - this isn't it. The plastic boning is sturdy, but not suck it so your waist drops three inches kind of sturdy. It is very pretty though, and if you are daring enough, you can almost get away with wearing it as an outer garment with the right shrug or jacket.
All in all, I was pretty pleased with my purchase. The great part is that it comes in sizes small on up to 3X/4X. The sizing does run pretty true to size from my experience, and since it doesn't have cups, you can get away with a bigger bust (although, if you run a DD or bigger, you may want to go up a size. I am a C cup, and this worked with my bust just fine)
Right now is a great time to take a peek at all of the sexy lingerie EdenFantasys carries, because they have free shipping on orders of $25 or more! There are some pretty pieces under $20, too - go take a peek! Don't forget that you can choose a free gift with your order as well! (Psst - Valentine's Day is about six weeks away!)
This is a sponsored post for EdenFantasys, an online retailer of sex toys - I received a gift card in exchange for this post.
As I have mentioned on here before, I have a corset addiction. I started wearing them back when I was 12 (I know, scandalous to some of you!), and I was so comfortable wearing them, that I wore them almost every day. Yes, even to school! In recent years, I've gotten out of wearing one on a daily basis, and I can tell the difference in my back - I slouch more! I don't feel as put together either when I leave the house not wearing them - I feel LAZY. It's not just about feeling sexy for me.
EdenFantasys has several really nice corsets, including one I added to my collection a few weeks ago: the Fully boned lace and satin corset, which is made by Coquette.
Some corsets are what I just call "tourist corsets" - it sounds funny, I know, but some corsets really aren't made to be worn more than a few minutes in the bedroom, and those are the "tourist corsets". Don't get me wrong, they can be fun - but I like the real deal. I loved this corset, because the corset fits right without being too uncomfortable. The lace over the fabric is pretty, and it comes with removable garters - so if you hate to wear thigh highs, you can skip this part of the lingerie. It laces up the back, and has hook and eye closures in the front. Now if you're looking for a hardcore corset - the ones that really cinch in your waist - this isn't it. The plastic boning is sturdy, but not suck it so your waist drops three inches kind of sturdy. It is very pretty though, and if you are daring enough, you can almost get away with wearing it as an outer garment with the right shrug or jacket.
All in all, I was pretty pleased with my purchase. The great part is that it comes in sizes small on up to 3X/4X. The sizing does run pretty true to size from my experience, and since it doesn't have cups, you can get away with a bigger bust (although, if you run a DD or bigger, you may want to go up a size. I am a C cup, and this worked with my bust just fine)
Right now is a great time to take a peek at all of the sexy lingerie EdenFantasys carries, because they have free shipping on orders of $25 or more! There are some pretty pieces under $20, too - go take a peek! Don't forget that you can choose a free gift with your order as well! (Psst - Valentine's Day is about six weeks away!)
This is a sponsored post for EdenFantasys, an online retailer of sex toys - I received a gift card in exchange for this post.
27 December 2011
Fireplace Safety Tips
I've seen one too many heartbreaking stories about fires and fireplaces recently, and I just want to remind folks to be very, very careful. Nothing beats the warmth of a fireplace, and it's great to fall back on when the power is out, but it can be dangerous.
First of all, you need to make sure your fireplace is cleaned on a regular basis, especially if you use it frequently. You can purchase wood creosote logs to clean up the build up in the chimney at most hardware stores to help with this.
Make sure all flammable items are as far away from the fireplace or wood stove area as possible. Open the damper fully - if you try to burn with it closed, you'll end up with a bunch of smoke in your home and possible carbon monoxide poisoning!
Use dry hardwoods to burn. Oak, Maple, etc, are great woods that will burn long and warm if it's properly seasoned. Pine is a wood that you shouldn't burn unless it's an emergency (IE - the end of the world!) as it can add creosote build up very quickly. If you rarely use your fireplace, or mostly save it for emergency purposes, there are a host of manufactured logs you can find at your local hardware store, such as Duraflame logs, that are easy to store and easy to light.
To start the fire, use dry crumpled newspaper with thin pieces of wood as kindling. A bit of dryer lint can help start a slow fire, too, but be careful that you don't burn items you really shouldn't. Don't ever burn plastic or magazine pages.
NEVER leave a fire unattended! As tempting as it might be to leave a fire burning while you go to bed, this is incredibly dangerous.
To dispose of the ashes, use a metal shovel and move the ashes into a metal bucket. Ashes can still have hot coals in them for several days, so keep this bucket away from your home, and away from items that could catch on fire easily. A metal trash can with a lid is a good way to keep the ashes from flying away. Dump a pail of water on top of the ashes to stop any embers from from catching.
Later on, you can work these cold ashes into any flower or vegetable beds you have in your yard - the wood ash is a great fertilizer for the soil!
First of all, you need to make sure your fireplace is cleaned on a regular basis, especially if you use it frequently. You can purchase wood creosote logs to clean up the build up in the chimney at most hardware stores to help with this.
Make sure all flammable items are as far away from the fireplace or wood stove area as possible. Open the damper fully - if you try to burn with it closed, you'll end up with a bunch of smoke in your home and possible carbon monoxide poisoning!
Use dry hardwoods to burn. Oak, Maple, etc, are great woods that will burn long and warm if it's properly seasoned. Pine is a wood that you shouldn't burn unless it's an emergency (IE - the end of the world!) as it can add creosote build up very quickly. If you rarely use your fireplace, or mostly save it for emergency purposes, there are a host of manufactured logs you can find at your local hardware store, such as Duraflame logs, that are easy to store and easy to light.
To start the fire, use dry crumpled newspaper with thin pieces of wood as kindling. A bit of dryer lint can help start a slow fire, too, but be careful that you don't burn items you really shouldn't. Don't ever burn plastic or magazine pages.
NEVER leave a fire unattended! As tempting as it might be to leave a fire burning while you go to bed, this is incredibly dangerous.
To dispose of the ashes, use a metal shovel and move the ashes into a metal bucket. Ashes can still have hot coals in them for several days, so keep this bucket away from your home, and away from items that could catch on fire easily. A metal trash can with a lid is a good way to keep the ashes from flying away. Dump a pail of water on top of the ashes to stop any embers from from catching.
Later on, you can work these cold ashes into any flower or vegetable beds you have in your yard - the wood ash is a great fertilizer for the soil!
Recipe: Peanut Butter Dog Cookies
If you are looking for an easy to make dog treat that won't break the bank, or take up an entire afternoon, this is it. It's simple, with only four ingredients, and you can have it mixed and ready to cut into shapes within five minutes. Plus, it gives kids entertainment if you let them loose with the cookie cutters. It's a win-win situation! ;)
You'll need:
2 cups of flour (really, whole wheat is great, but if you only have regular white, dogs don't mind)
1 cup oats (not the instant oatmeal, but the steel cut or similar)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cup hot water
Mix the flour and oats together in a medium mixing bowl. Spoon in the peanut butter, followed by the hot water, and mix well.
After your ingredients are mixed well, check to see that it doesn't look overly sticky - if it does, add another tablespoon of flour in. You want to be able to kneed the dough so you can flatten it out with your rolling pin.
Now you can chill that dough for a few minutes while you preheat the oven to 350, and pull out all your cookie cutters. Depending on your dogs waistline, you might want to pull out the smallest ones you have. (You can purchase tiny little dog bone shaped ones at most cake supply stores!) You'll see in my photo I made some star shaped and bunny shaped.
Roll out the dough, remembering that the thinner the cookie is, the faster it bakes. Try to get all of your cookies about the same width. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes. If your doggies love extra crunchy, you can bake them for 40 minutes. Pop the light on in your oven from time to time to make sure they aren't burning.
Transfer the cookies off the sheet and let cool at least an hour before serving. If you have a tin - like one of those empty popcorn tins we all seem to get around the holidays! - you can store them in there for a good week or so. If you have smaller dogs and this makes a ton of cookies for you, you can also freeze these cookies in between sheets of wax paper and slip them into a freezer safe bag - this will keep them good for up to a month. Our Corgis inhale these so this is less than a week's worth for us. lol
You'll need:
2 cups of flour (really, whole wheat is great, but if you only have regular white, dogs don't mind)
1 cup oats (not the instant oatmeal, but the steel cut or similar)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cup hot water
Mix the flour and oats together in a medium mixing bowl. Spoon in the peanut butter, followed by the hot water, and mix well.
After your ingredients are mixed well, check to see that it doesn't look overly sticky - if it does, add another tablespoon of flour in. You want to be able to kneed the dough so you can flatten it out with your rolling pin.
Now you can chill that dough for a few minutes while you preheat the oven to 350, and pull out all your cookie cutters. Depending on your dogs waistline, you might want to pull out the smallest ones you have. (You can purchase tiny little dog bone shaped ones at most cake supply stores!) You'll see in my photo I made some star shaped and bunny shaped.
Roll out the dough, remembering that the thinner the cookie is, the faster it bakes. Try to get all of your cookies about the same width. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes. If your doggies love extra crunchy, you can bake them for 40 minutes. Pop the light on in your oven from time to time to make sure they aren't burning.
Transfer the cookies off the sheet and let cool at least an hour before serving. If you have a tin - like one of those empty popcorn tins we all seem to get around the holidays! - you can store them in there for a good week or so. If you have smaller dogs and this makes a ton of cookies for you, you can also freeze these cookies in between sheets of wax paper and slip them into a freezer safe bag - this will keep them good for up to a month. Our Corgis inhale these so this is less than a week's worth for us. lol
Book Review: The Big Book Of American Trivia By J. Stephen Lang
I recently received a copy of the new book New Commemorative 200th Anniversary Edition The Star Spangled Banner: The Big Book Of American Trivia: Over 3,000 Questions & Answers by J. Stephen Lang to review.
The Big Book Of American Trivia: Over 3,000 Questions & Answers contains over 3,000 questions with the answers, from topics about American History, to politics, to landmarks, to even entertainment and music. If it pertains in some way to America or an American, you just might find out something about it in here. They range from the slightly easy:
To a little more historical in:
If you're not into history per say, and feel this book would be absolutely boring, this book seems to have much more pop culture trivia questions that you would think at first glace. There are questions from everything on auto racing to Vegas to state history to Grammy winners to even the bible. It's truly a hodge podge of eclectic information. I honestly thought it would be more history about the country - states, presidents, laws, and less about authors and actors, but I guess this way it attracts readers it might not have, instead of just us history geeks.
The one thing I wish is that the questions and answers had been presented differently. It's a little confusing at moments, because the questions are on one side of the page, with the answers on the back. That works for the games, because there are usually only 4-5 questions on a card - but in the book, there can be as many as 25 questions on the same page. When you're looking for the answer to question #17, you can get overwhelmed with all of the other answers. I think it would have been better to have one question followed by an answer, but hey, that's just my opinion.
If you're looking for an edge in trivia games, pick up a copy of The Big Book Of American Trivia: Over 3,000 Questions & Answers. You'll learn a lot from it. It makes a great gift for any American history buff, too.
New Commemorative 200th Anniversary Edition The Star Spangled Banner: The Big Book Of American Trivia: Over 3,000 Questions & Answers by J. Stephen Lang is a paperback games/trivia book published by Tyndale that will be available on December 30th, 2011. It is 368 pages long. The suggested cover price is $14.99, but Amazon has it available for $9.98 as of this posting.
I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
The Big Book Of American Trivia: Over 3,000 Questions & Answers contains over 3,000 questions with the answers, from topics about American History, to politics, to landmarks, to even entertainment and music. If it pertains in some way to America or an American, you just might find out something about it in here. They range from the slightly easy:
What popular children's book (also a movie) was originally titled The Emerald City? ~The Wizard Of Oz
To a little more historical in:
What general and World War I hero requested to be buried n Arlington Cemetery with only an enlisted man's marker? ~John J.Pershing
If you're not into history per say, and feel this book would be absolutely boring, this book seems to have much more pop culture trivia questions that you would think at first glace. There are questions from everything on auto racing to Vegas to state history to Grammy winners to even the bible. It's truly a hodge podge of eclectic information. I honestly thought it would be more history about the country - states, presidents, laws, and less about authors and actors, but I guess this way it attracts readers it might not have, instead of just us history geeks.
The one thing I wish is that the questions and answers had been presented differently. It's a little confusing at moments, because the questions are on one side of the page, with the answers on the back. That works for the games, because there are usually only 4-5 questions on a card - but in the book, there can be as many as 25 questions on the same page. When you're looking for the answer to question #17, you can get overwhelmed with all of the other answers. I think it would have been better to have one question followed by an answer, but hey, that's just my opinion.
If you're looking for an edge in trivia games, pick up a copy of The Big Book Of American Trivia: Over 3,000 Questions & Answers. You'll learn a lot from it. It makes a great gift for any American history buff, too.
New Commemorative 200th Anniversary Edition The Star Spangled Banner: The Big Book Of American Trivia: Over 3,000 Questions & Answers by J. Stephen Lang is a paperback games/trivia book published by Tyndale that will be available on December 30th, 2011. It is 368 pages long. The suggested cover price is $14.99, but Amazon has it available for $9.98 as of this posting.
I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
Random Thoughts Tuesday - I Need New Boots
Can you believe 2011 is almost over? I know I say this every year, but gosh I hope 2012 is a better year. (I feel like I am rolling dice trying to get some lucky numbers. lol) You know this mami is seriously frustrated when I contemplate moving into my in-laws yard.
I really hope my sink gets fixed soon. This would be a lot easier in the Summer, where I could use my leftover water to douse my yard and plants. Alas, the yard is so saturated from the rain, I'm just flushing my dirty water... and that seems like such a waste.
I read this article over on Dogster and giggled at first - Captain is known for getting leftovers, he's even managed to UNZIP a reusable bag and get the takeout container open, that little booger - and then I felt bad because that dog was so sick. And then I got mad, because I felt like the post was trying to say it was because he ate fatty human food. Um, I think the aluminum foil didn't exactly help the situation. I'm thinking the carne asada super burrito actually had some serious spice, and that was the problem, not the meat, but hey, I could be wrong.
I tell ya what though, I feel a lot better feeding my dogs home cooked food than I do mechanically separated insides from China packaged dog food. ;)
I need to go shoe shopping. Well, hiking boot shopping. I think the last pair I purchased that was on clearance at REI was on clearance for a reason. :( The bottom sole looks OK, but I am getting wear patterns on all of my hiking socks and for the first time, my left heel aches when walking. I expect pain from 4" heels, not hiking boots! The problem is I am normally uber picky when it comes to buying hiking boots.... I bought these on clearance and the 75% off called my name. I should have ignored it. lol Sometimes, you get what you pay for!
Ugh, I am so tired of this rain. I wish we could send it to those of you who need it!
I wonder if it's safe to go shopping yet. When we poked our heads out last week, it was scary. We're running out of dairy, and there's a few other things I could really use stocking up on. I've got to bake more bread - it lasts maybe 24 hours around here.
DH's job gave him a turkey as a gift. LOL Good thing I only bought 2 this year, or I would have had to fire up the second deep freezer - and I would have felt stupid running it for just a turkey. lol
We do need to do something about the fridge situation. I lost some green peppers again. *grumbling* I swear, every time I open the door I hear it laugh at me. It likes to torture me! If we run electric in the new house, I'm buying an industrial fridge. I don't need the freezer part - the deep freezer takes care of that for me. The only thing I keep in the fridge's freezer is ice, and when I menu plan, I add the meat for the week in there so I don't have to go in and out of the deep freezer.
26 December 2011
DVD Review: Dora The Explorer: Dora Loves Boots
My family and I recently received a copy of the newest Nickelodeon DVD release, Dora The Explorer: Dora Loves Boots, to review.
No, not the shoe style - her best friend, the purple monkey! Dora Loves Boots contains four episodes, including three brand new to DVD! In "Boots' First Bike", the Delivery Duck flies in with a postcard of a shiny yellow two wheeler bike for Boots, and he's super excited to get his very first bike! It's ready to be picked up, and this episode is full of "firsts" as you'll see Baby Blue Bird take her first flight, and Lil' Piggy sail on her pirate ship too. In "Bouncy Boots", Boots gets his favorite boots back from the Shoe Shop - but they don't feel like his boots. When he puts them on, he starts to bounce! Uh oh, these aren't his! It's bounce time for adventures on the way back to the Shoe Shop.
In "¡Vacaciones!", Dora and Boots are going camping with Diego and Little Jaguar. They meet up with lots of other friends, too, and help Isa water her veggie garden before she leaves on vacation as well. Uh oh, Swiper has swiped their snacks! Can Diego and Baby Jaguar help rescue their snacks back? And in "The Big Red Chicken's Magic Wand" (LOL at this title!), The Big Red Chicken is doing magic tricks and turns Boots into a chicken too! In the chaos, the wand is broken! They'll have to do a bunch of things to enter the Wand Shop, including a math game to get the Giant Dice to disappear.
While there are no special features on the DVD itself, inside the box is a certificate for a free "call" from Dora. It's good through August 2012. We're saving this as a surprise. ;)
Dora The Explorer: Dora Loves Boots will be released this coming Tuesday, December 27th, 2011. Full screen format, it is not rated, but geared towards the preschool crowd. The total running time is 95 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $16.99, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $13.99 as of this posting. (Netflix users: this title is not currently available, but be sure to add it to your DVD queue to be notified when it is)
I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
No, not the shoe style - her best friend, the purple monkey! Dora Loves Boots contains four episodes, including three brand new to DVD! In "Boots' First Bike", the Delivery Duck flies in with a postcard of a shiny yellow two wheeler bike for Boots, and he's super excited to get his very first bike! It's ready to be picked up, and this episode is full of "firsts" as you'll see Baby Blue Bird take her first flight, and Lil' Piggy sail on her pirate ship too. In "Bouncy Boots", Boots gets his favorite boots back from the Shoe Shop - but they don't feel like his boots. When he puts them on, he starts to bounce! Uh oh, these aren't his! It's bounce time for adventures on the way back to the Shoe Shop.
In "¡Vacaciones!", Dora and Boots are going camping with Diego and Little Jaguar. They meet up with lots of other friends, too, and help Isa water her veggie garden before she leaves on vacation as well. Uh oh, Swiper has swiped their snacks! Can Diego and Baby Jaguar help rescue their snacks back? And in "The Big Red Chicken's Magic Wand" (LOL at this title!), The Big Red Chicken is doing magic tricks and turns Boots into a chicken too! In the chaos, the wand is broken! They'll have to do a bunch of things to enter the Wand Shop, including a math game to get the Giant Dice to disappear.
While there are no special features on the DVD itself, inside the box is a certificate for a free "call" from Dora. It's good through August 2012. We're saving this as a surprise. ;)
Dora The Explorer: Dora Loves Boots will be released this coming Tuesday, December 27th, 2011. Full screen format, it is not rated, but geared towards the preschool crowd. The total running time is 95 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $16.99, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $13.99 as of this posting. (Netflix users: this title is not currently available, but be sure to add it to your DVD queue to be notified when it is)
I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Review: Philips AmbientLED Bulb
During the winter months here in Washington, the lights are on more than they are off. It's just dreary and blah during Winter. I don't think I'll ever get used to it! You never realize how much you need sunlight until you barely see it.
CFL's can save money - well, for some folks - but the light they give off isn't always the brightest. Incandescent light bulbs give off better light, but they use a lot more energy. Either or, you've got a good side and a bad side!
Philips must know what it's like to live in Washington state, because they recently created the world's first LED replacement for a 60 watt incandescent bulb - and the first to earn an Energy Star qualification. Meet the Philips AmbientLED 12.5 watt light bulb:
It looks a little funny at first - but so do those CFL bulbs, right? Like the CFL's, it uses a LOT less energy than old school light bulbs. The Philips AmbientLED bulb lasts 25 times longer and uses 80% less energy than the 60W incandescent it was designed to replace!
I was given a Philips AmbientLED bulb to try out in our home and see what I thought. I immediately decided to put it in our dreariest room - our bedroom. The lighting situation in there is less than ideal - it's rather depressing. I figured if there was a room I'd see a difference in immediately, this would be it.
(Please excuse the dust, I thought it was clean. Geesh. lol) Holy moly mack-a-toly, I was SHOCKED when we put that bulb in the difference in the lighting - it was BRIGHT. It was WARM. It was INCREDIBLE. I can't even begin to tell you the difference in writing, but it was AMAZING. One light bulb was brighter than the three we had in the room before!
I had my socks knocked off by a lightbulb. LOL!!! Seriously, the room we had avoided because it was the one that felt most like a dungeon has become the room we're happiest to be in. Instead of lingering in the living room in the evenings, we head into the bedroom to read and relax.
The only downside I can see is that the Philips AmbientLED bulb is only sold at Home Depot currently, and it does retail for $24.97. Yes, for one bulb. Here's the thing - these bulbs are meant to last 25 years. They don't go KABOOM like the old school bulbs do, and these Philips AmbientLED bulbs have a six year warranty on them. Have you ever seen a light bulb with a warranty on it? Yeah, me either. You don't see them with that EnergyStar qualification either.
If you crave light in your home, I recommend picking up one of the Philips AmbientLED bulbs for yourself and giving it a try in your home. You'll probably find yourself wanting to replace every single light bulb, too.
I received a sample of this product in order to try it out in my own home and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
CFL's can save money - well, for some folks - but the light they give off isn't always the brightest. Incandescent light bulbs give off better light, but they use a lot more energy. Either or, you've got a good side and a bad side!
Philips must know what it's like to live in Washington state, because they recently created the world's first LED replacement for a 60 watt incandescent bulb - and the first to earn an Energy Star qualification. Meet the Philips AmbientLED 12.5 watt light bulb:
It looks a little funny at first - but so do those CFL bulbs, right? Like the CFL's, it uses a LOT less energy than old school light bulbs. The Philips AmbientLED bulb lasts 25 times longer and uses 80% less energy than the 60W incandescent it was designed to replace!
I was given a Philips AmbientLED bulb to try out in our home and see what I thought. I immediately decided to put it in our dreariest room - our bedroom. The lighting situation in there is less than ideal - it's rather depressing. I figured if there was a room I'd see a difference in immediately, this would be it.
(Please excuse the dust, I thought it was clean. Geesh. lol) Holy moly mack-a-toly, I was SHOCKED when we put that bulb in the difference in the lighting - it was BRIGHT. It was WARM. It was INCREDIBLE. I can't even begin to tell you the difference in writing, but it was AMAZING. One light bulb was brighter than the three we had in the room before!
I had my socks knocked off by a lightbulb. LOL!!! Seriously, the room we had avoided because it was the one that felt most like a dungeon has become the room we're happiest to be in. Instead of lingering in the living room in the evenings, we head into the bedroom to read and relax.
The only downside I can see is that the Philips AmbientLED bulb is only sold at Home Depot currently, and it does retail for $24.97. Yes, for one bulb. Here's the thing - these bulbs are meant to last 25 years. They don't go KABOOM like the old school bulbs do, and these Philips AmbientLED bulbs have a six year warranty on them. Have you ever seen a light bulb with a warranty on it? Yeah, me either. You don't see them with that EnergyStar qualification either.
If you crave light in your home, I recommend picking up one of the Philips AmbientLED bulbs for yourself and giving it a try in your home. You'll probably find yourself wanting to replace every single light bulb, too.
I received a sample of this product in order to try it out in my own home and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Menu Planning Monday - 12/26 - 1/1
Wow, it's the last week of the year! The year has gone by fast - and I have to admit, I'm a little thankful for that. I still don't have a sink that's working right - apparently we seem to keep making it worse, go figure - so I was trying to come up with ideas that don't use a ton of extra dishes. Hello, slow cooker. ;)
Our turkey came out DIVINE by the way! Rather than OD on turkey this week, I simply processed all the leftovers using the food processor and portioned it out into freezer bags for down the road. This way I can just grab a bag of precooked chicken, rather than needing to make chicken for dishes like tacos, etc.
Monday: BBQ Chicken Cornbread Pizza
Tuesday: Barbecue Chicken II
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Meatball Sandwiches, Italian green beans
Thursday: Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken Filling, tortillas
Friday: fish sandwiches, veggie side dish
Saturday: Semi Homemade Slow Cooker Mac N Cheese
Sunday: slow cooker roast chicken, rice side dish, roasted potatoes
Check out Organizing Junkie for other great Menu Plans!
24 December 2011
To All...
No matter what your beliefs are, I hope that today and tomorrow are wonderful days for you, that you are surrounded by those you love, and may the coming year bring wonderful things your way. Feliz Noche Buena y Feliz Navidad!
23 December 2011
Review & Recipes: Carapelli Olive Oils
One of my staples in my kitchen is olive oil. It's a healthy way for me to cook, and I've even been known it use it on my hair! I use it to make everything from marinades to cooking veggies to salad dressing - and now I can add mashed potatoes to that list.
Carapelli makes premium extra virgin olive oils imported from Italy. Their Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made with the first cold pressing of the olives. It has a deep green color, an intense flavor, and it's perfect for flavoring entrees or side dishes. I was sent some samples so I could try it out in my kitchen, as well as some new recipes to try out. One of the recipes was so easy to make - and so yummy - I wanted to share it with you now so you can try it out for your holiday dinner!
Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes:
Serving Size: 12
10 8-ounce potatoes, (about 5 pounds) peeled and cut in half
3/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
1/2 cup Tuscan Herb paste*
1/2 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup heavy cream, warmed
*Here's the recipe for the Tuscan Herb Paste:
(Yield: 2 1/4 cups)
3/4 cup Carapelli Extra Light in Taste Olive Oil
1 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon fresh basil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
1/2 packed cup fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
2 tablespoons fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Blend herbs and crushed red pepper with light olive oil using a blender or food processor, then stir in extra virgin olive oil.
I ended up using dried herbs instead of fresh, because I only had fresh Italian parsley on hand at the moment. I also used Yukon Gold potatoes, since that's what I had on hand - but you can probably use any type of potatoes if you'd like. Now to get back to the mashed potatoes recipe, boil the potatoes in salted water. When cooked tender, mash potatoes. Mix salt and pepper with Tuscan Herb Paste, olive oil and warm heavy cream. Fold into potatoes, and serve.
And because the stock photo makes my photo look awful, I'm showing theirs instead of mine:
Thank goodness mine tasted as good as their photo looked. LOL The Tuscan Herb Paste sounds like it's a lot of work to make at first glance, but really all you are doing is tossing a bunch of ingredients into the blender or food processor. It takes seconds. My next try will be using it on our turkey on Christmas day! (You'll notice the Tuscan Paste recipe makes more than the potatoes uses - even though you're not supposed to store olive oil in the fridge, I put the remainder of the paste in ours) I'll take some photos (hopefully it looks better than my potatoes LOL) and I'll let you know how it turned out. I think I have a new go-to paste for chicken too - I like the idea of it with some chicken and pasta!
Right now if you visit the Carapelli website, you can find a coupon to save you $1.00 off your next purchase of Carapelli olive oil, 17 ounce or larger.
I received samples of the product mentioned above, and recipes to try out in my own home. All opinions are my own.
Carapelli makes premium extra virgin olive oils imported from Italy. Their Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made with the first cold pressing of the olives. It has a deep green color, an intense flavor, and it's perfect for flavoring entrees or side dishes. I was sent some samples so I could try it out in my kitchen, as well as some new recipes to try out. One of the recipes was so easy to make - and so yummy - I wanted to share it with you now so you can try it out for your holiday dinner!
Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes:
Serving Size: 12
10 8-ounce potatoes, (about 5 pounds) peeled and cut in half
3/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
1/2 cup Tuscan Herb paste*
1/2 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup heavy cream, warmed
*Here's the recipe for the Tuscan Herb Paste:
(Yield: 2 1/4 cups)
3/4 cup Carapelli Extra Light in Taste Olive Oil
1 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon fresh basil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
1/2 packed cup fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
2 tablespoons fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Blend herbs and crushed red pepper with light olive oil using a blender or food processor, then stir in extra virgin olive oil.
I ended up using dried herbs instead of fresh, because I only had fresh Italian parsley on hand at the moment. I also used Yukon Gold potatoes, since that's what I had on hand - but you can probably use any type of potatoes if you'd like. Now to get back to the mashed potatoes recipe, boil the potatoes in salted water. When cooked tender, mash potatoes. Mix salt and pepper with Tuscan Herb Paste, olive oil and warm heavy cream. Fold into potatoes, and serve.
And because the stock photo makes my photo look awful, I'm showing theirs instead of mine:
Thank goodness mine tasted as good as their photo looked. LOL The Tuscan Herb Paste sounds like it's a lot of work to make at first glance, but really all you are doing is tossing a bunch of ingredients into the blender or food processor. It takes seconds. My next try will be using it on our turkey on Christmas day! (You'll notice the Tuscan Paste recipe makes more than the potatoes uses - even though you're not supposed to store olive oil in the fridge, I put the remainder of the paste in ours) I'll take some photos (hopefully it looks better than my potatoes LOL) and I'll let you know how it turned out. I think I have a new go-to paste for chicken too - I like the idea of it with some chicken and pasta!
Right now if you visit the Carapelli website, you can find a coupon to save you $1.00 off your next purchase of Carapelli olive oil, 17 ounce or larger.
I received samples of the product mentioned above, and recipes to try out in my own home. All opinions are my own.
Review & Giveaway: Shout Free
Mom Central recently asked if I wanted to be a part of the new Shout Ambassador blog tour.
I feel like I am always doing laundry. It seems to be the most time consuming chore I have. It's not that I mind, really - it's just that I am floored at the amount of laundry our family of three seems to come up with! I went from doing about two loads every two weeks, if that, before I was married - to 7 to 10 loads a week these days! If I ignore it for more than a day, I loose sight of my laundry bin in the bathroom!
You would think that my daughter would be the worst stain offender in our home, but it's actually my DH. My first job way back when was a thrift store, and because of that, I learned the stain and wear patterns kids would make on their clothes. I kept this information in the back of my head all those years, and have actually done a really good job at keeping the stains from even beginning to happen by carefully planning clothes vs activities vs food choices. It's not foolproof, of course - but let's say I've avoided 50% of stains we could have ended up with if she was as bad as her daddy. Now if only I could get that to work with DH.... LOL
When stains do happen, I try to catch it immediately, use a stain remover, and let it soak overnight. I take pride in our wardrobes and I don't like fabrics to look sloppy. I really do believe taking care of your fabrics with quality laundry detergent and following care directions on garment labels can make a difference in the lifespan of the garment. You might be rolling your eyes at me, but if a shirt lasts longer, you're saving money not having to replace it AND you're helping the environment.
Speaking of the environment, some of you know I've been trying as best as I can to switch our home over to green product choices. I have always liked Shout! products, so I was happy to hear they have come out with Shout Free. Shout Free has zero dyes, zero fragrance, and 99% natural ingredients. Like the other Shout! stain removers, it works in all water temperatures, and has that convenient trigger dispenser we all know and love.
It didn't take long after the package arrived with some Shout Free for us to try for stains to appear. I should have just sat there with the bottle in my hands, lol Actually it was my fault - I served up some Thousand Island dressing with the carrots at snack time and you can guess what happened to the little dipping container. (the dogs were more than happy to lick at whatever they could get to LOL!) Even though I was in the middle of preparing dinner, it took me seconds to take her shirt off, zip on some Shout Free! and get right back to chopping veggies. When I was done, I let the shirt soak in a bin for a few hours, then tossed it in the next load of laundry. I saw no difference between regular Shout and the Shout Free! in stain removal to my eyes - it worked just as well, and the stain was pretty much gone! I'm pretty pleased, and I'll continue to purchase it in the future.
Right now, Shout is offering downloadable coupons on their Facebook page for Shout Free and Color Catcher with Oxi! Head on over to print yours now.
Win it! Two lucky winners will each win a sample of Shout Free! To enter, tell us who is the worst stain offender in your family.
As always, you can receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Win Shout Free ends 12/31 http://bit.ly/rXg2uL @psychotichouse
That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends December 31st at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)
I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Shout and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
I feel like I am always doing laundry. It seems to be the most time consuming chore I have. It's not that I mind, really - it's just that I am floored at the amount of laundry our family of three seems to come up with! I went from doing about two loads every two weeks, if that, before I was married - to 7 to 10 loads a week these days! If I ignore it for more than a day, I loose sight of my laundry bin in the bathroom!
You would think that my daughter would be the worst stain offender in our home, but it's actually my DH. My first job way back when was a thrift store, and because of that, I learned the stain and wear patterns kids would make on their clothes. I kept this information in the back of my head all those years, and have actually done a really good job at keeping the stains from even beginning to happen by carefully planning clothes vs activities vs food choices. It's not foolproof, of course - but let's say I've avoided 50% of stains we could have ended up with if she was as bad as her daddy. Now if only I could get that to work with DH.... LOL
When stains do happen, I try to catch it immediately, use a stain remover, and let it soak overnight. I take pride in our wardrobes and I don't like fabrics to look sloppy. I really do believe taking care of your fabrics with quality laundry detergent and following care directions on garment labels can make a difference in the lifespan of the garment. You might be rolling your eyes at me, but if a shirt lasts longer, you're saving money not having to replace it AND you're helping the environment.
Speaking of the environment, some of you know I've been trying as best as I can to switch our home over to green product choices. I have always liked Shout! products, so I was happy to hear they have come out with Shout Free. Shout Free has zero dyes, zero fragrance, and 99% natural ingredients. Like the other Shout! stain removers, it works in all water temperatures, and has that convenient trigger dispenser we all know and love.
It didn't take long after the package arrived with some Shout Free for us to try for stains to appear. I should have just sat there with the bottle in my hands, lol Actually it was my fault - I served up some Thousand Island dressing with the carrots at snack time and you can guess what happened to the little dipping container. (the dogs were more than happy to lick at whatever they could get to LOL!) Even though I was in the middle of preparing dinner, it took me seconds to take her shirt off, zip on some Shout Free! and get right back to chopping veggies. When I was done, I let the shirt soak in a bin for a few hours, then tossed it in the next load of laundry. I saw no difference between regular Shout and the Shout Free! in stain removal to my eyes - it worked just as well, and the stain was pretty much gone! I'm pretty pleased, and I'll continue to purchase it in the future.
Right now, Shout is offering downloadable coupons on their Facebook page for Shout Free and Color Catcher with Oxi! Head on over to print yours now.
Win it! Two lucky winners will each win a sample of Shout Free! To enter, tell us who is the worst stain offender in your family.
As always, you can receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Win Shout Free ends 12/31 http://bit.ly/rXg2uL @psychotichouse
That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends December 31st at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)
I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Shout and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Friday's Featured Etsy: Not Just Cookies
Welcome to my Friday's Featured post, in which I showcase Etsy stores and small businesses from folks like you and me. Recession, smession! ;)
Our stop on our this week's journey through Etsy land is a store called not just cookies.
Notjustcookies makes homemade gourmet cookies from scratch, as well as homemade candy, truffles, pastries, muffins and more. All items are packed in a bakery box and tied with ribbon. She mails baking goods on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, so that you get them as fast and as fresh as possible.
Check out these fun looking Almond Tri-Color Cookies Pastries Italian Rainbow Venetian All Natural 1 pound:
These Baci di dama Almond Cookies Chocolate Filled Sandwiches Lady' kisses Shortbread 18 pieces No Eggs look yummy!
And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a fruit cake, right? LOL So here's a Homemade Dark Fruitcake Brandied All Natural Delicious 1 pound:
Stop by not just cookies today and have a look around! Support handmade!
This post is part of my Holiday Gift Guide 2011. To see more great gift ideas, just click it.
Our stop on our this week's journey through Etsy land is a store called not just cookies.
Notjustcookies makes homemade gourmet cookies from scratch, as well as homemade candy, truffles, pastries, muffins and more. All items are packed in a bakery box and tied with ribbon. She mails baking goods on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, so that you get them as fast and as fresh as possible.
Check out these fun looking Almond Tri-Color Cookies Pastries Italian Rainbow Venetian All Natural 1 pound:
These Baci di dama Almond Cookies Chocolate Filled Sandwiches Lady' kisses Shortbread 18 pieces No Eggs look yummy!
And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a fruit cake, right? LOL So here's a Homemade Dark Fruitcake Brandied All Natural Delicious 1 pound:
Stop by not just cookies today and have a look around! Support handmade!
This post is part of my Holiday Gift Guide 2011. To see more great gift ideas, just click it.
22 December 2011
Cabela's Gift Card Deal
If you have a guy in your life who adores Cabela's and still need a gift - or maybe you're just trying to stock up for the zombie apocalypse ;) - then you're going to want to take advantage of the SaveMore.com Cabela's gift card deal going on now through tomorrow! You can purchase a $25 gift card for just $15!
We are Cabela's addicts over here. Don't think it's just hunting and outdoors stuff - ladies, you can get some fun stuff for your kitchen!
I've been contemplating the Cabela's Pro 150 Slicer:
And even though my slow cooker still works fine, I've been wanting the Stainless Steel 8.5-Quart Slow Cooker. It's bigger than mine and I could make bigger batches of chili and stews If it wasn't sold out right now, I'd snag it thanks to this deal. :( Maybe they'll get it back in stock!
*The SaveMore.com link is a referral link. If you purchase through it, I'll receive a credit.
We are Cabela's addicts over here. Don't think it's just hunting and outdoors stuff - ladies, you can get some fun stuff for your kitchen!
I've been contemplating the Cabela's Pro 150 Slicer:
And even though my slow cooker still works fine, I've been wanting the Stainless Steel 8.5-Quart Slow Cooker. It's bigger than mine and I could make bigger batches of chili and stews If it wasn't sold out right now, I'd snag it thanks to this deal. :( Maybe they'll get it back in stock!
*The SaveMore.com link is a referral link. If you purchase through it, I'll receive a credit.
Thrifty Thursday - Keeping Eggs Fresh
This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I'm talking keeping eggs fresh.
There's a great deal on eggs one week, and you decide to buy several dozen. Keep the eggs stored in the clean paper carton, rather than taking them out. Don't be tempted to place the eggs inside the fridge door. I know many refrigerators have a special tray in the door for eggs, but I swear the idea was placed by someone who never bought eggs. Placing them in the door cuts their shelf life way down, because they are basically removed from the cold air every time the fridge door is opened! Instead, place the eggs on the shelf towards the bottom, where they will benefit from the cold air the longest. (If you have to store eggs in the door, just try to use them as quickly as possible.)
If you have a carton of eggs you remember buying a few weeks ago, but the date is garbled and you can't tell if it expired last week, or this week. There's an easy way to tell if the eggs are still fresh. Fill a decent sized bowl with cold water. If the eggs sink, they are still fresh. If they float, toss it out right away as it's too old to eat.
There's a great deal on eggs one week, and you decide to buy several dozen. Keep the eggs stored in the clean paper carton, rather than taking them out. Don't be tempted to place the eggs inside the fridge door. I know many refrigerators have a special tray in the door for eggs, but I swear the idea was placed by someone who never bought eggs. Placing them in the door cuts their shelf life way down, because they are basically removed from the cold air every time the fridge door is opened! Instead, place the eggs on the shelf towards the bottom, where they will benefit from the cold air the longest. (If you have to store eggs in the door, just try to use them as quickly as possible.)
If you have a carton of eggs you remember buying a few weeks ago, but the date is garbled and you can't tell if it expired last week, or this week. There's an easy way to tell if the eggs are still fresh. Fill a decent sized bowl with cold water. If the eggs sink, they are still fresh. If they float, toss it out right away as it's too old to eat.
Sponsored Post: GlassesUSA.com
I love my husband, but the man is a DISASTER. If it's not one thing - it's another. On more than one occasion he's come home with his glasses broken - many of the patients he comes in contact with have dementia and don't realize what they are doing when they strike out at him - so I quickly learned a game plan.
On top of the pair on his face, he has a pair of eyeglasses stashed in his locker at work. He also has a an extra pair stashed in his emergency bag in the car he could fall back on if needed. And here at home, I keep an extra pair stashed that are really an older prescription and is a little wobbly on one of the sides, but he could still use them if he really needed to. Yes, that's four pairs total! lol
Are you prepared in an emergency - do you have a spare pair of glasses just in case? If your home caught on fire and you didn't have time to grab your glasses off the night stand, do you have a spare pair stashed somewhere? If there was an earthquake or tornado, and the pair on your face ended up cracked from debris, you NEED that spare pair! You could be waiting as long as ten days to order glasses - and when there's clean up to be done, and work to get back to, it can be very uncomfortable while you wait. That's one of the reasons I have DH's glasses stashed all over the place - I figure in nearly every natural disaster scenario, he's covered too.
Thanks to the Internet, you don't have to spend a fortune on those back up glasses, either. There are lots of online eyeglasses sites that you can purchase from, with prices starting around $30.00 plus shipping. All you need is a recent prescription within the last two years - so simply phone your current eyeglass place, and ask for the prescription to be faxed to you. We haven't had much luck ordering glasses online ourselves (some of you might remember a review I did several years back that was a total disaster!), but I think if you have a simple prescription, you should have a much easier time than us.
Right now, GlassesUSA.com is having an early holiday sale, so it's a great time to take advantage and get that extra pair stashed away - or update your look right now with a new pair, and stash your old ones away! Take 30% off any pair of glasses and get FREE US shipping with the code Holiday2011. Basic single vision lenses are included and upgrades are available for an additional cost. You can also take 10% off any order of prescription glasses using code Blog10
This post is a sponsored post by the store mentioned in the article. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
On top of the pair on his face, he has a pair of eyeglasses stashed in his locker at work. He also has a an extra pair stashed in his emergency bag in the car he could fall back on if needed. And here at home, I keep an extra pair stashed that are really an older prescription and is a little wobbly on one of the sides, but he could still use them if he really needed to. Yes, that's four pairs total! lol
Are you prepared in an emergency - do you have a spare pair of glasses just in case? If your home caught on fire and you didn't have time to grab your glasses off the night stand, do you have a spare pair stashed somewhere? If there was an earthquake or tornado, and the pair on your face ended up cracked from debris, you NEED that spare pair! You could be waiting as long as ten days to order glasses - and when there's clean up to be done, and work to get back to, it can be very uncomfortable while you wait. That's one of the reasons I have DH's glasses stashed all over the place - I figure in nearly every natural disaster scenario, he's covered too.
Thanks to the Internet, you don't have to spend a fortune on those back up glasses, either. There are lots of online eyeglasses sites that you can purchase from, with prices starting around $30.00 plus shipping. All you need is a recent prescription within the last two years - so simply phone your current eyeglass place, and ask for the prescription to be faxed to you. We haven't had much luck ordering glasses online ourselves (some of you might remember a review I did several years back that was a total disaster!), but I think if you have a simple prescription, you should have a much easier time than us.
Right now, GlassesUSA.com is having an early holiday sale, so it's a great time to take advantage and get that extra pair stashed away - or update your look right now with a new pair, and stash your old ones away! Take 30% off any pair of glasses and get FREE US shipping with the code Holiday2011. Basic single vision lenses are included and upgrades are available for an additional cost. You can also take 10% off any order of prescription glasses using code Blog10
This post is a sponsored post by the store mentioned in the article. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
21 December 2011
Thanks To My Blog...
Ten kids received gifts through the giving trees.* We also donated a bag of groceries for holiday meals to our local food bank!
I couldn't have done it without YOU! Those of you who read my blog regularly and leave comments helped make it happen! THANK YOU!
*For those who don't know, each year I turn around and purchase gifts using gift cards such as the ones from Amazon to buy gifts.
Game Review: National Geographic Challenge! (Wii)
My family and I received National Geographic Challenge! for the Wii to review.
We take family gaming seriously here. lol We each have our own games that we love to play, but I am always on the hunt for family friendly games that we can play together.
National Geographic Challenge! allows players to explore our planet through its history and geography, providing a journey through the ages and an inside look at the extraordinary extent of mankind’s achievements. You can play in English, French, or Spanish, to help kids work on a foreign language! The game can also be played single player, or with up to four players. You can use your created Mii, or pick a premade character. You also get to choose an avatar for your character to be, each of which gives special powers - everything from an astronaut to a pink skull treasure hunter!
There are two major modes: quiz mode, which lets you choose between 40, 60, or 80 questions based on one of seven different regions of the world. You can choose from easy or hard on the subject questions. There are a variety of different questions, from puzzles to basic trivia. Some videos are also shown, and you have to answer questions based on the information shared in the video.
Explorer mode is a capture the castle kind of game. The world is broken into different random territories depending on the amount of players. Your goal is to "capture" all six pieces of a territory. Like the quiz mode, you can choose from easy to hard. You'll answer quizzes, play mini games, anagrams, and compete head to head to own each territory. Certain territories are worth more than others, and you can use your special ability to overtake a certain territory if you need to. Once you explore a whole region, that region will be locked down, and your opponents can no longer capture it. There are also hidden wildcards that can have an effect on the game - everything from gaining a turn to random opponents being included in your quiz to gain that territory you were trying to grab!
There are also the Puzzle Challenge and Classic Puzzles. For these, you need to place puzzle pieces into pictures. The puzzle games do require good handling of the remotes, as do the quiz questions - you need to click exactly on the answer. If you miss the small space - you could end up accidentally choosing the wrong answer!
The game also requires a good amount of reading skills, as well as the obvious world knowledge. While the game says it is rated E for Everyone, I'd have to say it's geared more towards the ages ten and up crowd. That's not to say that younger kids can't buddy up with an older player (this is what we do in this case - the winner gets our kiddo added to their team), but even on easy, the world questions can be tough. It also warns on the back of alcohol and tobacco references, but after playing the game several times, we didn't spot any of them. Do keep this in mind - it probably just has to do with questions asking about where tobacco fields are, etc,.
If you don't own a Wii, this game is also available for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. Although I can't comment on those versions of the game as I haven't played them, I believe you can also purchase extra downloaded quiz questions through their platforms.
All in all, we had fun with this game. At first glance it seems like it's just a kids game, but this is one of those games that adults can really have fun with without kids present. There have been other "party" style games that DH and I have rented or bought, and really ended up bored with one the first play - we were actually itching to play this one sans kiddo several nights in a row. lol If you are looking for a last minute gaming gift for a Wii owner, especially if they like trivia or traveling - National Geographic Challenge! is a great idea!
National Geographic Challenge! for the Wii retails for $19.99, and you can purchase it wherever Wii games are sold, including online via Amazon.com.
I received a copy of this game in order to play it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
We take family gaming seriously here. lol We each have our own games that we love to play, but I am always on the hunt for family friendly games that we can play together.
National Geographic Challenge! allows players to explore our planet through its history and geography, providing a journey through the ages and an inside look at the extraordinary extent of mankind’s achievements. You can play in English, French, or Spanish, to help kids work on a foreign language! The game can also be played single player, or with up to four players. You can use your created Mii, or pick a premade character. You also get to choose an avatar for your character to be, each of which gives special powers - everything from an astronaut to a pink skull treasure hunter!
There are two major modes: quiz mode, which lets you choose between 40, 60, or 80 questions based on one of seven different regions of the world. You can choose from easy or hard on the subject questions. There are a variety of different questions, from puzzles to basic trivia. Some videos are also shown, and you have to answer questions based on the information shared in the video.
Explorer mode is a capture the castle kind of game. The world is broken into different random territories depending on the amount of players. Your goal is to "capture" all six pieces of a territory. Like the quiz mode, you can choose from easy to hard. You'll answer quizzes, play mini games, anagrams, and compete head to head to own each territory. Certain territories are worth more than others, and you can use your special ability to overtake a certain territory if you need to. Once you explore a whole region, that region will be locked down, and your opponents can no longer capture it. There are also hidden wildcards that can have an effect on the game - everything from gaining a turn to random opponents being included in your quiz to gain that territory you were trying to grab!
There are also the Puzzle Challenge and Classic Puzzles. For these, you need to place puzzle pieces into pictures. The puzzle games do require good handling of the remotes, as do the quiz questions - you need to click exactly on the answer. If you miss the small space - you could end up accidentally choosing the wrong answer!
The game also requires a good amount of reading skills, as well as the obvious world knowledge. While the game says it is rated E for Everyone, I'd have to say it's geared more towards the ages ten and up crowd. That's not to say that younger kids can't buddy up with an older player (this is what we do in this case - the winner gets our kiddo added to their team), but even on easy, the world questions can be tough. It also warns on the back of alcohol and tobacco references, but after playing the game several times, we didn't spot any of them. Do keep this in mind - it probably just has to do with questions asking about where tobacco fields are, etc,.
If you don't own a Wii, this game is also available for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. Although I can't comment on those versions of the game as I haven't played them, I believe you can also purchase extra downloaded quiz questions through their platforms.
All in all, we had fun with this game. At first glance it seems like it's just a kids game, but this is one of those games that adults can really have fun with without kids present. There have been other "party" style games that DH and I have rented or bought, and really ended up bored with one the first play - we were actually itching to play this one sans kiddo several nights in a row. lol If you are looking for a last minute gaming gift for a Wii owner, especially if they like trivia or traveling - National Geographic Challenge! is a great idea!
National Geographic Challenge! for the Wii retails for $19.99, and you can purchase it wherever Wii games are sold, including online via Amazon.com.
I received a copy of this game in order to play it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Sponsored Post: Time For Life Insurance
DH is starting a new job - well, it's the same function really, just a new place to work. He really needed a change of scenery, and when he was offered to match his pay - there was no way we were going to refuse, especially because it was closer to home! It saves about 20 minutes driving every day! It hit me though when I was helping him fill out previous job information in his new hire packet that if anything happened to him, we would be in serious trouble. I haven't worked since shortly after we were married, and that was owning my own business - the way the economy is, I know I would end up in the hole trying to restart it up. The last time I filled out a job application I was 19! *cringe*
Suddenly, I understood why folks had life insurance. How would the two of us make it without daddy? Yes, we own our house free and clear, the same with our new truck - but I don't even know how to drive the truck! I've seen one help wanted sign around town for a retail job - that was it. So last night when I couldn't sleep, I rolled up my sleeves and tried to find out what to look for when asking about life insurance quotes. Here's what I found out:
First, there are two basic types of life insurance: term - which provides life insurance coverage for a specified period of time and whole life insurance - which combines a death benefit with a cash value component. As you can probably guess, term ends up being cheaper than whole life, but whole life can be beneficial because you don't have to renew it. Once you buy the policy, it's almost like an investment.
Normally I am a fan of the cheapest insurance policy that solves a basic need, but life insurance is a totally different ball game. Only you can decide which choice is right for your family, but because DH is the income earner in our family and pretty much always will be, I am leaning towards whole life for us. If you have no children, and both of you work, you might benefit more from a term policy.
The other thing to look out for and decide on is your coverage amount. Lots of numbers are thrown out there, and of course - the higher the amount of coverage, the more expensive the policy is. To get a general idea, look at how much income your family will need against how much you owe - remember just because a person has passed away, doesn't mean the creditors stay away. We do own our home and car, but we still have credit card debt that we're chipping away at. I have to seriously to take that into consideration, because I can't allow anything to happen to our credit rating. (Did you know that even many new employers check your credit these days? Geez!)
I'll admit I really hate the thought of another bill coming our way, but it's something we really should focus on as a married couple. I'm definitely going to be shopping around in search of a good premium price. Does your family have life insurance? Are you happy with the type you choose?
While this post is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Please do research before purchasing a policy of your own.
Suddenly, I understood why folks had life insurance. How would the two of us make it without daddy? Yes, we own our house free and clear, the same with our new truck - but I don't even know how to drive the truck! I've seen one help wanted sign around town for a retail job - that was it. So last night when I couldn't sleep, I rolled up my sleeves and tried to find out what to look for when asking about life insurance quotes. Here's what I found out:
First, there are two basic types of life insurance: term - which provides life insurance coverage for a specified period of time and whole life insurance - which combines a death benefit with a cash value component. As you can probably guess, term ends up being cheaper than whole life, but whole life can be beneficial because you don't have to renew it. Once you buy the policy, it's almost like an investment.
Normally I am a fan of the cheapest insurance policy that solves a basic need, but life insurance is a totally different ball game. Only you can decide which choice is right for your family, but because DH is the income earner in our family and pretty much always will be, I am leaning towards whole life for us. If you have no children, and both of you work, you might benefit more from a term policy.
The other thing to look out for and decide on is your coverage amount. Lots of numbers are thrown out there, and of course - the higher the amount of coverage, the more expensive the policy is. To get a general idea, look at how much income your family will need against how much you owe - remember just because a person has passed away, doesn't mean the creditors stay away. We do own our home and car, but we still have credit card debt that we're chipping away at. I have to seriously to take that into consideration, because I can't allow anything to happen to our credit rating. (Did you know that even many new employers check your credit these days? Geez!)
I'll admit I really hate the thought of another bill coming our way, but it's something we really should focus on as a married couple. I'm definitely going to be shopping around in search of a good premium price. Does your family have life insurance? Are you happy with the type you choose?
While this post is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Please do research before purchasing a policy of your own.
20 December 2011
Review: HandSan
This is the time of year where every where is so busy - public restrooms can be out of toilet paper, soap, and paper towels faster than the employees can check them.
Bio+Green Crystals has a new product - HandSan, an alcohol free organic hand cleaner! It comes in a convenient purse sized container, and it even kills things such as Ecoli and Salmonella. HandSan kills 99.99% of germs naturally - no need to worry about what chemicals are in the cleaner, and your hands won't dry out, either. Simply spray some on your hands, then rub until dry - no need for towels.
I received a bottle for my family to try out, and I immediately tossed it in my purse. It came in handy right away, because when we went to the mall (or rather tried to) we needed an emergency potty break on the way home where not only was the bathroom out of toilet paper (luckily, I keep a small travel size roll in my purse for us!) but there was no paper to dry hands either! I whipped the bottle of HandSan out and was able to wash our hands. A couple of sprays were more than enough to clean our hands, and there was no smell from the product. My hands didn't react to it, either, and they didn't dry out like alcohol based products would do. (I really hope for others using the bathroom after us that the store went ahead and refilled everything, because most folks aren't as prepared as me!)
I found HandSan to be a great little product from the Bio+Green family, and I will definitely restock my bottle when it's empty - I can see this really coming in handy for summer camping trips for us. If you need a good hand cleaning product for any emergency or hurricane preparedness kids, this HandSan organic hand cleanser is a great choice!
A two ounce bottle sells for $5.99 - which could seem a little high to some folks, but it is organic and a hand cleaner, not a hand sanitizer.
I received a sample of this product in order to try it out and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Bio+Green Crystals has a new product - HandSan, an alcohol free organic hand cleaner! It comes in a convenient purse sized container, and it even kills things such as Ecoli and Salmonella. HandSan kills 99.99% of germs naturally - no need to worry about what chemicals are in the cleaner, and your hands won't dry out, either. Simply spray some on your hands, then rub until dry - no need for towels.I received a bottle for my family to try out, and I immediately tossed it in my purse. It came in handy right away, because when we went to the mall (or rather tried to) we needed an emergency potty break on the way home where not only was the bathroom out of toilet paper (luckily, I keep a small travel size roll in my purse for us!) but there was no paper to dry hands either! I whipped the bottle of HandSan out and was able to wash our hands. A couple of sprays were more than enough to clean our hands, and there was no smell from the product. My hands didn't react to it, either, and they didn't dry out like alcohol based products would do. (I really hope for others using the bathroom after us that the store went ahead and refilled everything, because most folks aren't as prepared as me!)
I found HandSan to be a great little product from the Bio+Green family, and I will definitely restock my bottle when it's empty - I can see this really coming in handy for summer camping trips for us. If you need a good hand cleaning product for any emergency or hurricane preparedness kids, this HandSan organic hand cleanser is a great choice!
A two ounce bottle sells for $5.99 - which could seem a little high to some folks, but it is organic and a hand cleaner, not a hand sanitizer.
I received a sample of this product in order to try it out and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Random Thoughts Tuesday - Must Bake!
I have a giant to-do list that I think keeps growing by the second. Not enough time in the day to get it all done - so I am cheekily campaigning for a maid to DH. ;)
Cookies, cookies - I need to bake cookies!
So last week our sink had issues. We followed my daddy's advice first, then DH's daddy's advice next - and yep, we made a mess. Until DH's next day off, here I am doing dishes in a bucket in the bathtub. Happy Holidays to me, y'all. (Can you see why I'm behind on everything?) I keep trying to remind myself that at least I have running water...
Jingle bells + little girl shoes = buy earplugs. ;) When kids are so happy though, how can you take them away?
We attempted to brave the chaos at the mall yesterday. BIG mistake. BIG BIG BIG mistake. The parking lot was a nightmare. I saw rudeness and said forget it. All we wanted was to pop into World Market and pick up an ornament. :( I thought folks were struggling, but apparently it doesn't seem to matter - I saw folks with arms full of stuff. *shrugs* I don't get it, I really don't. I must be weird. What happened to a single homemade gift and maybe something special that was a heartfelt gift for someone? How is plastic junk that falls apart within a few months special?
It's funny because I was reading one of those holiday do's and don'ts articles, and it say don't buy household items like a vacuum or slow cooker for anyone. Um, I'd love those gifts! Practical, and it can make my life easier! Someone get me an industrial meat slicer! LOL ;)
I actually really covet one of those. Oh oh oh, and one of those potato slicers that attach to the wall that Cabela's sells. Totally not necessary on that one, but fun to play with ;)
I crave cheesecake.
Last night I was looking at real estate back home in Texas. I swear, home prices have gone down everywhere BUT Texas. lol You can tell there are companies that are doing well there, because properties priced below market are snapped up in a blink of an eye. Good for those folks - bad for us! I did see two properties in our price range that was decent acreage, but was one immediately nixed when I realized in the tiny picture what kind of brush I was looking at - all I heard in my head was DANGER! WILL ROBINSON! DANGER! lol One lightning strike or spark and it would go so fast we wouldn't have time to save anything. An acre or two would be easy enough to clear, but it was almost 15 acres of that stuff - and by the time you cleared it, you'd have nothing left on the land hardly. No wonder it was priced so low - I guess it could be a good deal for someone else.
I did get a kick out of one house that was listed on the same road DH's family lives on. Five acres, overpriced - and the real estate agent said you'll love the mature trees on the land. There was all of FOUR trees on that property. LOL!! Some of the things these agents say are so funny. I get what they are trying to do, but it's so easy to see right through them. (In this case, the house was on a flood plain)
Oh, and DH's present? Something new to kill zombies with. Double Tap. ;)
19 December 2011
Menu Planning Monday - 12/19 - 12/25
It's hard to believe it's Christmas this week! The year has gone fast, hasn't it? Happy Holidays to all!
Monday: homemade slow cooker chicken soup
Tuesday: Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Wednesday: sweet 'n sour chicken and rice
Thursday: Cheesy chicken sandwiches, tomato rice
Friday: BBQ Chicken Cornbread Pizza
Saturday: appetizers to snack on all day! (our tradition)
Sunday: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy
Check out Organizing Junkie for other great Menu Plans!
18 December 2011
More Giveaway Winners!
The winner of the Hershey's Holiday giveaway is:
Mama V said...
GFC follower: Mama V
The winner of the Country Crock Kids Cooking giveaway is:
Grampy said...
Just tweeted this post.
grampyandyou
Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife: Giveaway: Country Crock Makes Veggies Yummy http://www.confessionsofapsychotichousewife.com/2011/12/giveaway-country-crock-makes-veggies.html?spref=tw
The winner of the Subway Customer Appreciation giveaway is:
alovelydissenter said...
Meatball Marinara is my favorite sub so I'd have to go with it.
The winner of the Paul Anka CD giveaway is:
Anonymous said...
White Christmas.
Tim Moss
The winner of the Tropical Traditions Raw Honey giveaway is:
Anonymous said...
I'd like to try their coconut cream concentrate :)
I also like Tropical Traditions on Facebook.
-Monique
Congratulations everyone! Emails are being sent right now - remember you have 48 hours to get back to me!
Easy Tips To Winterize Your Home
Many of us are throwing away money on heating bills, and don't even realize it! Depending on the size of your home, and how well insulated your home is, you could easy be wasting $20 or more on heating costs each month. You'd pick that $20 off the ground if you saw it, right? I know I would! Here are a few easy ideas that won't take you more than a few minutes to accomplish.
Make sure the filter has been recently changed to your heating furnace. Some filters need to be changed once a month, others only once a season. Become familiar with your furnace and be sure to change that filter on time - this is a super easy fix that can save your quite a bit each year!
Insulate your water pipes and your water heater. This will help hold the heat in your house, and help your water heater not have to work so hard. Unless you have a water heater that is tank less and/or simply starts up when you need it, your water heater can be the most expensive thing in your house to run!
Weatherstrip your doors and windows. These little self stick strips can be found in the home improvement aisle at your favorite store, and if applied properly, should last all winter season. If you don't typically open the windows in your home, you can leave it on through the summer months to save on air conditioning costs, too.
Find those drafts and fix them up! If you are renting and need a solution that's not permanent, cut the sleeves off an old sweatshirt, use a rubber band to rope off one side, and fill with stuffing. (If you have no stuffing, use old rags) Then rope off the other end with another rubber band, and you've got a cheap and eco friendly draft dodger to use to stop cold air from coming in underneath doors and through windows.
And if you need to cut costs just a little bit but don't want to sacrifice your comfort, consider turning the heat by just a degree or two. It might seem like it won't make a difference - but it will!
Make sure the filter has been recently changed to your heating furnace. Some filters need to be changed once a month, others only once a season. Become familiar with your furnace and be sure to change that filter on time - this is a super easy fix that can save your quite a bit each year!
Insulate your water pipes and your water heater. This will help hold the heat in your house, and help your water heater not have to work so hard. Unless you have a water heater that is tank less and/or simply starts up when you need it, your water heater can be the most expensive thing in your house to run!
Weatherstrip your doors and windows. These little self stick strips can be found in the home improvement aisle at your favorite store, and if applied properly, should last all winter season. If you don't typically open the windows in your home, you can leave it on through the summer months to save on air conditioning costs, too.
Find those drafts and fix them up! If you are renting and need a solution that's not permanent, cut the sleeves off an old sweatshirt, use a rubber band to rope off one side, and fill with stuffing. (If you have no stuffing, use old rags) Then rope off the other end with another rubber band, and you've got a cheap and eco friendly draft dodger to use to stop cold air from coming in underneath doors and through windows.
And if you need to cut costs just a little bit but don't want to sacrifice your comfort, consider turning the heat by just a degree or two. It might seem like it won't make a difference - but it will!
17 December 2011
Book Review: Come A Little Closer By Dorothy Garlock
I recently received a copy of the new book Come A Little Closer by Dorothy Garlock to review.
Set just after WWII in 1946, Christina Tucker is a nurse who is putting her wartime skills to use by helping a doctor in Longstock, Wisconsin. She wants to reconnect with her country life. Dr. Samuel Barlow might be a country doctor, but there is always a call to be answered - upon picking up Christina at the railroad station, they head straight to work! Poor woman didn't even have time to freshen up after her journey!
Dr. Samuel Barlow has two nephews - Holden and Tyler Sutter, both who saw action in the war. Holden has come home shell shocked, Tyler came back back angry and cynical. Christina meets them at dinner - where she finally thinks she might get a decent welcome - and ends up taking dinner up to Holden. So much for a relaxing meal. ;) She decides to try to help Holden recover, but in doing so, ends up disturbing memories best left buried. She turns to Tyler, and ends up growing closer - but there's a terrible secret on the horizon. Among the trouble - including Christina's life in danger - will Christina and Tyler have a happy life together?
This was my first book from the author, although it follows two other books about the Tuckers - Stay a Little Longer and Keep a Little Secret, this book is easily read as a stand alone. I enjoyed the storyline, and Christina was a strong heroine that was likable. (spoiler alert) At first I thought she would end up following in love with someone else. (/end spoiler alert) I also didn't expect the danger Christina would be in towards the end of the book. There was a little more, ahem, play by play action than I care for, but it was easily skipped over for me. If you like romances set in this era, Come A Little Closer is definitely worth adding to your to-read or library list.
Come A Little Closer by Dorothy Garlock is a paperback historical romance book published by Hachette. It is 384 pages long. The suggested cover price is $14.99, but Amazon has it available for $10.19 as of right now. It is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.
I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
Set just after WWII in 1946, Christina Tucker is a nurse who is putting her wartime skills to use by helping a doctor in Longstock, Wisconsin. She wants to reconnect with her country life. Dr. Samuel Barlow might be a country doctor, but there is always a call to be answered - upon picking up Christina at the railroad station, they head straight to work! Poor woman didn't even have time to freshen up after her journey!
Dr. Samuel Barlow has two nephews - Holden and Tyler Sutter, both who saw action in the war. Holden has come home shell shocked, Tyler came back back angry and cynical. Christina meets them at dinner - where she finally thinks she might get a decent welcome - and ends up taking dinner up to Holden. So much for a relaxing meal. ;) She decides to try to help Holden recover, but in doing so, ends up disturbing memories best left buried. She turns to Tyler, and ends up growing closer - but there's a terrible secret on the horizon. Among the trouble - including Christina's life in danger - will Christina and Tyler have a happy life together?
This was my first book from the author, although it follows two other books about the Tuckers - Stay a Little Longer and Keep a Little Secret, this book is easily read as a stand alone. I enjoyed the storyline, and Christina was a strong heroine that was likable. (spoiler alert) At first I thought she would end up following in love with someone else. (/end spoiler alert) I also didn't expect the danger Christina would be in towards the end of the book. There was a little more, ahem, play by play action than I care for, but it was easily skipped over for me. If you like romances set in this era, Come A Little Closer is definitely worth adding to your to-read or library list.
Come A Little Closer by Dorothy Garlock is a paperback historical romance book published by Hachette. It is 384 pages long. The suggested cover price is $14.99, but Amazon has it available for $10.19 as of right now. It is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.
I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
16 December 2011
A Holiday Vote For Me?
The Tacoma News Tribune is having a holiday pet photo contest, and my DH entered the Corgis into it. There are 35 entries for folks to vote for. If you think Captain and the Grumpy Princess are worthy of a vote, I'd love it!
If the link isn't working, here is the link to his entry here.
You do have to log in with Facebook or register in order to vote, which I know is a hassle, but it does keep the contest a little more fair for the entrants.
Wish us luck! :)
If the link isn't working, here is the link to his entry here.
You do have to log in with Facebook or register in order to vote, which I know is a hassle, but it does keep the contest a little more fair for the entrants.
Wish us luck! :)
Giveaway: Hershey's For The Holidays!
The holidays aren't the holidays around here without chocolate! ;) I keep our candy dish (OK, so it's not very Christmas-y, as it's a skull... maybe I should dress it up with a red bow? lol) stocked with a familiar assortment of red, green, and silver Hershey's Kisses this time of year.
...I love those kisses because I can get a little taste of chocolate without a ton of calories. It helps offset all of the other holiday foods I am chowing down on! lol
Whether you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or a sweet treat to fill your candy dish, Hershey’s holiday collection has a variety of items sure to top every wish list this season. From Hershey's Kisses to Hershey’s Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate Bells to Hershey’s Miniatures Assortment, there's an assortment of chocolate and sweets to fill your candy dishes with, or stuff those stockings!
And if it's recipes or crafts you're on the hunt for in order to make last minute gifts, visit CelebratewithHersheys.com for quick and easy ideas! I'm going to try making the Chocolate Cherry Bars Recipe this weekend - it looks scrumptious! (and for once, I have all the ingredients on hand so I don't even need an emergency trip last an item at the gocery store! Yippee!)
The kiddo and I will also be making a couple of the HERSHEY'S Holiday Gift Jar Craft to go along side some of out other jar gifts. I fear Christmas is arriving quicker than I thought it would this year - I am way behind on my gift making! (eeek!!!)
I might have to break out some extra doses of caffeine and pull a few late nighters to get all my gifts finished up. If you are making homemade gifts or gift baskets this year, are you all finished, or are you running behind like me? Does chocolate motivate you to work a little faster? ;) It does? Awesome, because....
Win it! Thanks to Hershey's, one super de duper lucky reader is going to win an assortment of holiday sweets including Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme Santa, Hershey’s Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate Bells, Hershey’s Miniatures Assortment, Rolo Holiday Candies, and 1.45oz Hershey’s Kisses – Santa Hat.
To enter, tell us if you have all of your holiday shopping done or not!
As always, you can receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Win Hershey's Holiday Chocolate! http://bit.ly/sjuse5 ends 12/17 @psychotichouse
That's four (4) possible entries! I'm running this one short and sweet, in hopes the winner will be able to enjoy it for Christmas (I can't guarantee it though) Giveaway ends December 17th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)
I received an assortment of Hershey's products in exchange for writing this post. One winner will receive the prize stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.
...I love those kisses because I can get a little taste of chocolate without a ton of calories. It helps offset all of the other holiday foods I am chowing down on! lol
Whether you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or a sweet treat to fill your candy dish, Hershey’s holiday collection has a variety of items sure to top every wish list this season. From Hershey's Kisses to Hershey’s Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate Bells to Hershey’s Miniatures Assortment, there's an assortment of chocolate and sweets to fill your candy dishes with, or stuff those stockings!
And if it's recipes or crafts you're on the hunt for in order to make last minute gifts, visit CelebratewithHersheys.com for quick and easy ideas! I'm going to try making the Chocolate Cherry Bars Recipe this weekend - it looks scrumptious! (and for once, I have all the ingredients on hand so I don't even need an emergency trip last an item at the gocery store! Yippee!)
The kiddo and I will also be making a couple of the HERSHEY'S Holiday Gift Jar Craft to go along side some of out other jar gifts. I fear Christmas is arriving quicker than I thought it would this year - I am way behind on my gift making! (eeek!!!)
I might have to break out some extra doses of caffeine and pull a few late nighters to get all my gifts finished up. If you are making homemade gifts or gift baskets this year, are you all finished, or are you running behind like me? Does chocolate motivate you to work a little faster? ;) It does? Awesome, because....
Win it! Thanks to Hershey's, one super de duper lucky reader is going to win an assortment of holiday sweets including Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme Santa, Hershey’s Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate Bells, Hershey’s Miniatures Assortment, Rolo Holiday Candies, and 1.45oz Hershey’s Kisses – Santa Hat.
To enter, tell us if you have all of your holiday shopping done or not!
As always, you can receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Win Hershey's Holiday Chocolate! http://bit.ly/sjuse5 ends 12/17 @psychotichouse
That's four (4) possible entries! I'm running this one short and sweet, in hopes the winner will be able to enjoy it for Christmas (I can't guarantee it though) Giveaway ends December 17th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)
I received an assortment of Hershey's products in exchange for writing this post. One winner will receive the prize stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.
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