DVD Review: Leapfrog Scout & Friends Numberland

My family and I recently received a copy of the newest LeapFrog DVD release, Scout & Friends Numberland to review.


Scout, Violet, Eli, and Penny want to learn more about numbers, so Axle to magical car takes them to visit Numberland. The gang gets a new friend in Max, meet all of Numberland's residents, and get to be at a surprise birthday party!

This all new animated DVD uses silly songs to help teach preschool beginning math skills, such as number recognition, counting, and skip counting (you know, 1, 3, 5). I struggle with math skills due to numerical dyslexia, so I am all for anything that can help my daughter learn as much as possible so her mathematical skills are strong. Research has shown that understanding early math skills at the beginning of kindergarten is the strongest predictor of future academic success - so it's even more important to make sure your child has a good numerical foundation as soon as possible. Here is the trailer for the DVD:


Direct Link for the feedreaders

Included on the DVD are several special features, including sing-alongs, "Being A Puppy (The Scout Song)" music video, "Sing With Us! The Band", and some curriculum commentary for parents to help their children learn.

Here are a few tips Leapfrog sent on over that might help you teach mathematical skills to your child(ren):

Practice number recognition and verbal counting with your child by walking through your house or neighborhood, and pointing out the different numbers that you see. Ask your child to say the number names, and then practice counting out loud together. For example, if your child finds the number 5, practice saying “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”.

If your child can recognize numbers but struggles to put them in the correct order, you can play games that help them create their own number lines. Have your child write the numbers 1 – 10 on large pieces of paper, and then scramble the numbers so they’re out of order. Then ask your child to switch the numbers around so they are in the correct order from smallest to largest.

Invite young children to arrange objects of different sizes, such as stacking cups, in order from smallest to the largest. The ability to compare things based on a dimension, such as size, and arrange those things in order is a very important aspect of mathematical development.

Play games together! Several studies have revealed that children can increase their knowledge of several important early math skills by playing board games that contain a number line, like Chutes and Ladders.

Get active and move around! Try drawing a number line from 1 to 10 on the ground outside using sidewalk chalk, and then invite your child to hop on the numbers and say them aloud. You can even practice skip counting by asking your child to jump on the even numbers — 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 — to drive the concept home.

LeapFrog Scout & Friends Numberland is being released today, January 31st, 2012. The DVD is widescreen format. Geared for the ages 2 to 5 crowd, it is not rated, and has a total running time of 36 minutes. The suggested retail price is $14.99, but Amazon has it available for $11.99 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

Review & Giveaway: Gooseberry Patch Rush Hour Recipes

I recently received a copy of the newest cookbook from the Gooseberry Patch family, Rush-Hour Recipes, to review.


I am always on the lookout for Gooseberry Patch cook books when I am in resale shops. They always seem to have easy to follow along with recipes with ingredients I actually have on hand. I have about a dozen different ones now. Rush-Hour Recipes contains 230 recipes that are quick and easy to get to the dinner table - many can be to the table in under 30 minutes. They include 5 ingredient favorites, one dish dinners, slow cooker recipes, easy to make soups, side dishes, and super relevant for this time of year - potluck and party foods.

Upon glancing through the book, the variety definitely was there. As with all of the Gooseberry Patch cook books, the ingredients are most of which you should already have on hand, from Cream Of... cooking soups, to to basic meats like chicken breasts and beef cuts, to shredded cheese. Maybe that's my one gripe for me - the recipes are a little too easy, using more prepared foods than I normally use - items such as refrigerated biscuits, soup mix, canned beans (I use dry) but I'm probably not exactly the core audience this particular one is for. It's perfect for the mom who's driving her kids from practice to practice and only has a few minutes in the kitchen. (Actually, I would have loved this one a lot more when I was first starting to learn how to cook - the recipes were right up my early days' alley!)

I love that the cookbook has spiral rings so the pages stay open. I know this sounds silly to some folks, but it's annoying in the middle of a recipe when the book flips over a few pages. All of the pages also have little tips and tricks for use in the kitchen, from how to make certain seasoning mixes, to reminding you not to open the oven since it lets the heat escape.

The first recipe I tried was the Tried & True Meatloaf over on page 29, but since that came out a total disaster (LOL), I gave the Golden Parmesan Potatoes recipe over on page 149 a try. It uses:

1 15 oz cans whole white potatoes, drained
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 tablespoon seasoned salt

Pace potatoes in an ungreased 8"x8" pan. Drizzle butter over potatoes, sprinkle with remaining ingredients. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

I didn't have fresh parsley, so I went with the dried variety. I also skipped the seasoned salt just to try to make it a little healthier for my DH:


It was super quick to toss in the oven with my stuffed chicken breasts for dinner. I spent less than 5 minutes preparing it. (My only gripe is that we are so used to using fresh potatoes, we could tell the difference - but for time's sake, not having to peel the potatoes is great! lol)

If you'd like to purchase Rush-Hour Recipes, you pick up a copy via the Gooseberry Patch website. It's also available as an e-book for those with the Kindle and other e-readers. You can follow Gooseberry Patch on Facebook for heads up on new cookbooks. They also have a blog you can follow.

Win it! Would you like to win a copy of Rush-Hour Recipes? To enter, visit the Gooseberry Patch website and pick out another cook book you'd like to own.

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 Rush Hour Recipes! http://bit.ly/wAXDmp ends 2/18 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 18th 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 a copy of this book in order to share my thoughts on it. One winner will receive the prize stated above, thanks to the giveaway sponsor.

Random Thoughts Tuesday - I'll Skip That Vacation To Vegas...

Um, not really wanting to travel to Vegas anytime soon: Bacteria that Causes Legionnaire's Disease Found at Las Vegas Resort Eish.

...maybe that's the beginnings of becoming zombies... they'll stick it in the hotel pool! ;)


So I popped into Albertsons yesterday and bought three things. Two of the three rang up higher than the price on the shelf. I was NOT happy. *grumble grumble* Have I mentioned how much I prefer the restaurant supply store? Less stress! Cheaper prices! No plastic bags available! (LOL)

Speaking of plastic bags, I guess they are trying to ban them here in the Seattle area again. I really think they should just charge you for bags, like they do in Europe - but I know that won't happen. Course, I've been using cloth bags since before it was "cool" to use them - almost 20 years - so it doesn't affect me. I love that the number one whine about keeping those bags around is because they are folks' "free" trash bags. C'mon folks - really? I mean, really? You can't buy a package of those little bags at the dollar store?

Our kitty clan almost grew this past weekend, but the kitty absolutely hated the Corgis. :( He wouldn't stop hissing at them. Poor kitty, the rescue group had found him wandering around downtown in that awful snowy weather we had last week. It amazes me how cruel and stupid people can be - this kitty is lucky he didn't end up with frostbite, like another kitty we met the other day. That one ended up loosing his ears. :(

We are just so ready to get out of here, get our place built, and start "being the last forever home" critters need. Although, I will admit I had a bit of a panic attack at hearing another rescue - who does much the same thing as what we want to do, be a forever home for older and unadoptables - spends $20K a month between food, vet supplies, and the place's mortgage. Holy canoli! I know how quickly it adds up though, which is why when I find good deals on things like collars and bowls, I try to grab and share.

Prepping for apocalypse: Zombie survival course in Portland I think everyone should take this. ;)

Cooking In The Kitchen With Kids

When I was a little girl, the kitchen was my mother's domain, and I didn't really spend much time in it. Ten years ago, if you would have told me I'd be able to cook from scratch, I'd have laughed in your face. While I don't consider myself the world's greatest cook - far from it - I know I've come a long ways in the kitchen. I'm determined that my daughter grows up knowing how to cook when she leaves home, unlike me.

Our kitchen has become the "hub" of our home. When it's time to cook, we're all hanging in there - even the pets who are hoping for food to dropped. ;) I don't have the arguments other parents sometimes have at mealtime because my daughter is involved in the process. She "helps out" with menu planning, and I give her a choice between adding one dish or another. When it's time to create the meals, she's in the kitchen helping. She helps me "shop" our pantry and food storage, so she's learning ingredients to add to the dishes. By keeping certain ingredients on certain shelves, even though her reading skills are still extremely limited, she can help pick out those ingredients by herself.

She also has her own things to use in the kitchen, such as her own aprons, and smaller utensils. I get help with mixing ingredients in. By preparing a few things ahead of time at the beginning of the week - such as chopping vegetables, or cooking meat ahead - I am able to have my daughter more involved in the finished product and not worry that I can't watch her enough because I'm busy on the stove. One recommendation I have is to purchase a study kid size table that can be easily cleaned if necessary - this way, you don't have to worry about younger children falling off the counter or off a stool. She can mix and prepare things at her own height, and it gives her confidence.

You have to make cooking fun - if you are having fun, kids will have fun. If kids are having fun in the kitchen, they are more likely to be adventurous and eat healthy! Did you know that studies show that when you begin preparing your meal with rice, you end up with a meal that's better for you? The great part about rice is that it's economical and versatile to add to so many dishes!

Uncle Ben’s is encouraging families to get in the kitchen to cook and eat together to connect, one meal at a time. Not only can you gain quality time together, you can win something great in the new contest, Ben’s Beginners. If you have children between the ages 5 to 12, submit a 2 to 3 minute video of you cooking a rice-based dish with your children. You could win $20,000, a $50,000 grant towards a cafeteria makeover for your child’s school, and a chance to appear on the Rachael Ray show! How cool would that be? For more information, and to enter, check out Uncle Ben's over on Facebook.

We use rice here on a regular basis because we love eating it. I buy small containers of the specialty rices like Jasmine and Brown rice, and then I purchase our white rice in bulk in 25 pound bags. I use it to make everything from the Honey Chicken & Pineapple you'll see on this week's menu, to adding it to soups and stews, to yes, even our homemade dog food. I purchased a small rice cooker several years ago for under $20 that has made cooking rice so much easier. (I'm not fond of appliances and gadgets, but this one is almost as important to me as my slow cooker! lol I highly recommend investing in one if your budget allows it!) I can purchase fresh veggies and meat on sale, add in a bit of sauce, and we have an easy meal that our whole family enjoys.

To make eating rice even more fun for your kids, check out your local Asian grocery store. I found some adorable chopsticks at ours with Hello Kitty and Buzz Lightyear on them! It might take kids a few times to get the hang of using them, but once they do, I bet they'll super excited for when you make rice!

I hope my post inspires you to bring your family into this kitchen tonight and try making a new dish together. If you decide to enter Ben’s Beginners contest, good luck! Let us know in the comments!



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

Lots Of Giveaway Winners - Are You One?

The winner of the TinTin Chocolate Giveaway is:

Peace Love & Poop said...

I really like the Tintin Cocoa Collection!

The winner of the Tropical Traditions Dish Liquid Giveaway is:

Anonymous said...

I'd like to try the Coconut Peanut butter.

Desiree Dunbar

The winner of the Perricone MD Giveaway is:

Victoria R. said...

I took the skincare quiz - and I agree with my results! Perricone says I need to try their Advanced Face Firming Activator!

The winner of the Trop50 SpaWeek Giveaway #2 is

Jennifer said...

I'm trying to get more organized, and I'm slowly taking baby steps.

And the winners of the Shout! Color Catcher giveaway are:

Erica C. said...

I do 3 loads of laundry a week. It's the thing I dislike the most I think!

Aileen said...

I have to do at least four loads of laundry a week not including the extra ones done by some of my older children.

Congratulations everyone! I am sending out emails right now - remember, you have 48 hours to get back to me!

How To: Make Your Own Pancake Mixes

Convenience foods - most of us are all guilty of buying something under the tab, whether it's shredded cheese (guilty!), bagged salads, or canned soups.

One of the most overpriced convenience foods is pancake mix. Luckily, it also happens to be the simplest to mix up in your own kitchen. I know, I know - you don't want the extra time of mixing everything in the bowl first thing in the morning. So why not pull out a box of ziplocs and pre-make the pancake mix? If, like me, you're cutting back on waste, use mason jars to keep the mix in instead. (The glass jars are great for gift giving too!)


Homemade Buttermilk Pancake Mix


4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup dry buttermilk powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt


Combine all the ingredients in a glass bowl and whisk together to distribute evenly. Scoop into four one cup-ish portions for a regular batch of pancakes. Remember to write the mix name, and date created onto the bag or lid!

To make the pancakes, use one egg, with 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil and 2/3 cup of water. Whisk well. (If it seems a little dry, add in a teaspoon of water at a time until it's perfect) You can add anything from chocolate chips to fresh fruits. (I like to add chopped dried strawberries to ours lately!)

You can buy buttermilk powder in your grocery store over by the flour if you don't normally buy it. It's great for making buttermilk biscuits too, so don't think you're buying the package for just one meal.

DVD Review: A Child's Garden Of Poetry

My family and I recently received a copy of the new DVD from HBO Family, A Child's Garden of Poetry to review.


A Child's Garden of Poetry is an Emmy winner for Outstanding Children's Program. It features poems by authors like William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes, all set to lyrical animation. Poems are reading by actors and actresses like Claire Danes, Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, and many more. There are also archival readings of the poems by some of the authors themselves, and interviews with children who say what poetry means to them.

Now it might sound like it's a DVD that is hours and hours long, and rather boring to some children, but it's really not! It runs under a half an hour - almost like literary "fast food". The animations are colorful, most of the actors they choose to read the poems fit perfectly, and the interviews with kids tie it all together perfectly. It's a great way to introduce young children to some of the wonderful literary works of art. I suggest following this DVD up with reading a few other poems from some of the authors to broaden your child's knowledge even further. The DVD is also great for homeschooling families to use as a jumping stone for a poetry or literary course.

A Child's Garden of Poetry is available now wherever DVD's are sold. Not rated, it's safe for all ages. The total running time is 27 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $9.97, but Amazon has it available for $8.73 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

Menu Planning Monday 1/30 - 2/5

Uh oh... I have no menu planning motivation this week! I was also starting to think I had lost my kitchen mojo - I had a couple of kitchen disasters, including the meatloaf last week, but then I pulled out some great from scratch food storage recipes that came out divine, so maybe not all is lost. ;)


Monday: sage stuffing stuffed chicken breasts, alfredo noodles, salad

Tuesday: hot green bean salad, pork chops, garlic cheese biscuits

Wednesday: Slow cooker kickin' chili

Thursday: recipe of the week

Friday: Honey Chicken & Pineapple with rice

Saturday: Salsa Chicken Quesadillas

Sunday: Stone Soup (leftover soup! lol)

Check out Organizing Junkie for other great Menu Plans!

Today is National Chocolate Cake Day!

Talk about a yummy holiday right up MY alley! LOL We salute you, yummy chocolate cake! Since I didn't find out until about oh, five minutes ago, I don't have enough chocolate on hand to bake a cake and share (I used the last of my cocoa last night for brownies!), so I'll direct you to My Baking Addiction, and her fabulous blog posting with a recipe for Chocolate Cake & Espresso Buttercream. Here's a taste:


Photo courtesy of My Baking Addiction

You're drooling now, aren't you? I know I am! Yum!

Book Review: Queen Of America By Luis Alberto Urrea

I recently received a copy of the new book Queen of America: A Novel by Luis Alberto Urrea to review.


Queen of America: A Novel is the follow up to the author's book, The Hummingbird's Daughter. Set in the end of the 1800's, Teresita Urrea, who has become a beloved healer and the "Saint of Cabora," in her home country of Mexico tries to flee with her father to Arizona after the bloody Tomochic rebellion. Just wanting to live a normal life, she is once again claimed as the Spriritual Leader of the Mexican Revolution, and back to being worshipped by the people, Teresita must be careful as assassins could take her life. She ends up traveling through turn of the century America, meeting many people, all while longing for something else. Even though she is a saint - after all, she came back to life after being declared dead - could she love?

Although the book is fiction, Teresita Urrea was a real person, and a member of the author's family tree. To truly understand Queen of America, you really need to read The Hummingbird's Daughter first. A little knowledge of Mexican history around the time this book is taking place is helpful, but not necessary. There are a few words here and there that might be hard for some to understand, but you'll get the gist of it anyways. It's great book, and if you find my review interesting, I recommend you add it (well, both) to your library or want list.

Queen of America: A Novel by Luis Alberto Urrea is a hardcover historical fiction book published by Little, Brown and Company. It is 496 pages long. The suggested cover price is $25.99, but Amazon has it available for $15.26 as of this posting. 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.

Friday's Featured Etsy - Valentine's Day Is Coming!

Welcome to my Friday's Featured post, in which I showcase Etsy stores and small businesses from folks like you and me. Recession, smession! ;)

This week, I'm featuring great Valentine's Day gift ideas from a plethora of Etsy shops! Many are under $10, so you're getting some deals!

Need a Valentine's Day card for a teen or Twilight fan? Check out this Valentine's Day Card- Vampire TrueBlood Twilight Card FREE SHIPPING from Scrappingoodtimes:


Or a gift for a little girl in your life, check out this Valentine's Day Conversation candy hearts and pearls bracelet from bamfkat - bonus, proceeds are donated to animals!


There's the Hearts in a Bottle Valentine's Day glass vial necklace OOAK from Woodland Trinkets:


To decorate the bathroom a little, check out there Valentine's Day Heart Soap, Lavender hearts with flower buds, Vegan Cold Process Soap in Purple from Second Spring Soaps:


And to wear out there's the Pink Valentine's Day Heart Button Ring (Free Shipping) from Moonstone Beginning. It's a steal at just $2!:


Head on over to Etsy for your Valentine's Day gifts - support handmade!

Thrifty Thursday - Party Stock Up Time

This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I'm here to remind you that many of the prices you'll see on tailgating and party foods will probably be the best you'll see until Memorial Day. Foods like burger condiments, chips, soda, grilling meats can be purchased ahead - check the dates to be sure they don't expire too soon. If you use a bottle of ketchup every other month, you can easily purchase 2 or 3 now, saving yourself as much as a dollar a bottle.

If you drink alcohol, be on the lookout for rebates that will give you money back for purchasing items such as meats with the beer. (Be sure to save your receipt and remember to mail that rebate in!)


If you're looking to cut costs on your Big Game party, try hosting a potluck! Assign each person attending a category - have one person bring a drink, another a dip, someone else a condiment - and you'll cut down on costs while still being able to throw a fun party.

Blu-Ray Review: Real Steel

My family and I recently received a Blu-Ray combo set of the new movie Real Steel to review.


Set a few years ahead, Charlie Kenton is a washed up former boxer who wants to make a comeback. In the meantime, he makes a living as a robot-fight promoter and builds robots from scrap - ironic, since it's because of these robots that he lost his chance to be in the ring. Eventually, he ends up teaming up with his estranged son Max to build and train a championship robot boxer.

This CGI/live movie features the acting skills of Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Dakota Goyd as the young son. Dany Elfman, one of Hollywood's music geniuses, was in charge of the music. The line up is good, the graphics are killer, the storyline is different - and entertaining for young adults and adults like. That being said, I wouldn't agree with this movie being called a "family movie" as I have read in previews of this movie - at least not MY family. It does have it's share of violence - even if a lot of it is CGI - and it's share of bad language. However, both my DH and I enjoyed it as adults.

The movie is being released as a two disc set. The regular DVD contains the movie, as well as a few special features - some bloopers, several mini featurettes "Making of Metal Valley" and "Building the Bots", as well as some audio commentary with director Shawn Levy. The Blu-Ray disc contains the Blu-Ray version of the movie and the same special features on the DVD disc, as well as some extra deleted and extended scenes with introductions by director Shawn Levy, a featurette on boxer "Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman's Champ", "Countdown to The Fight: The Charlie Kenton Story" - which gives you kind of a background on the main character of the movie, and the super neat "Real Steel Second Screen: Ringside With Director Shawn Levy", which allows you to explore interactive content with your iPad or computer while you watch the movie.

I love these two disc sets that contain both the DVD and the Blu-Ray - if you don't already have a Blu-Ray player, you save money by not having to re-buy all your movies, plus you can play the regular DVD on computers and portable DVD players while traveling or just on the go.

Real Steel is available now wherever Blu-Rays and DVD's are sold. Rated PG-13, the total running time (not including special features) is 127 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $39.99, but Amazon has it available for $22.99 as of this posting. (Netflix users: this title will be available on DVD, so add it to your queue)

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

Giveaway: Celtic Woman - Believe

Celtic Woman, an all-female singing group featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt who perform classic Irish songs and Inspirational songs, just released their new CD yesterday, called Believe. They also released a companion live concert DVD! You may remember my review on Songs From The Heart, so I was happy to hear a new album has been released! Look for my review on Believe, coming soon!


The DVD was filmed at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA with a dazzling array of visual and musical effects including a 20 piece orchestra, 7 piece Celtic Woman Band, 16 piece Atlanta Bag Pipe Band; lush vocal harmonies from a 10 piece Aontas Choir, 30 member children’s choir and featuring a world champion Irish dancer formerly a lead performer in Riverdance all serving as the backdrop to the grace and beauty of Celtic Woman. You'll be able to view this special on PBS, if you haven't caught it yet. (By the way, this is about the time of year many PBS stations start their pledge drive - you may be able to score a copy of this DVD for free with your donation! Check your local station!)

Celtic Woman is also launching their US tour on February 3rd in Nashville, TN. Check out this list to find out when Celtic Woman is coming to your nearest town! I'm excited to know they will be coming to Seattle here in April at the Paramount Theater.

You can purchase the Believe DVD here and the Believe CD here via Amazon.

Win it! I am super excited that I'm getting to give away one signed copy of the Believe CD and one signed copy of the Believe DVD! To enter, either tell us your favorite Celtic Woman song, or if you're not very familiar with them, tell us what you think about Celtic music in general. Please leave in your comment whether you'd prefer the CD or the DVD.

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 Celtic Woman Believe CD/DVD http://bit.ly/xPs62U ends 2/4 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 4th 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!! :)

Two lucky winners will receive the prize(s) stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.

Giveaway: Kisseo eCards

Remember when we were little kids the fun Valentine's Day cards we used to give to all our friends at school? I know I sent Garfield ones one year, and I think Care Bears another. How about a little nostalgia - send Valentine's Day cards to all your friends this year via Facebook, thanks to Kisseo eCards!

Kisseo eCards has over 5,000 different e-cards to send for any occasion, from birthdays to thank you's to Congratulations! You can choose to send them via regular email, and now you can send them directly on Facebook using their handy app! They have a free basic option, which allows you to choose from a limited amount of cards, or a premium subscription that gives you full access to every card available!

I love e-cards because not only does it save me money on postage, it also helps the environment by cutting down on waste. Alas, gone are the days where cards were something special to keep for many years - folks just toss 'em right out. :(

Win it! Thanks to Kisseo eCards, one lucky reader is going to win a one year subscription to Kisseo eCards, a $24.95 value! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends February 4th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. This one is open Worldwide. Good luck everyone!! :)

I am not receiving anything for this post, but one winner will receive the prize stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.

Looking For Valentine's Day Gifts?

While I love handmade, I understand that it's not every one's cup of tea. If you're on the hunt for a special gift for Valentine's Day, here are a few gift ideas that popped up in my inbox.

Kris Nations is designed by sisters with a free-spirited sense of style - equal parts sophisticated and bohemian, with a little vintage inspiration thrown into the mix. Their jewelry is made from recycled metals here in the USA. They have some lovely dangly heart earrings and matching cuff priced under $100, and they have free shipping on orders over $100.



Alice Roche carries contemporary, silver and mixed metal jewelry inspired by the world of nature and architecture with a handmade quality. Many items are made from reclaimed metal, so it's a little more environmentally friendly. There is a pretty Limited Edition Open Heart Necklace available for $120 with free ground shipping on all orders.



I'm not receiving anything for this post - just sharing gift ideas!

Book Review: Unhallowed Ground By Mel Starr

I recently received a copy of the book Unhallowed Ground: The Fourth Chronicle Of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon by Mel Starr to review as part of a Kregel book blog tour.


Set back in the medieval ages in England, Unhallowed Ground is the fourth book following Hugh de Singleton, a surgeon and "detective"/bailiff. Thomas atte Bridge, a well known person in the community, who is also as hated as he is known, is found hanging in a tree near Cow-leys Corner. Eager to be rid of the man, the town is quick to call it a suicide, but de Singleton is not so sure after finding evidence to the contrary. The corrupt priest John Kellet had been in town at the same time, perhaps it was he. He sets off to find the elusive priest, only to discover the priest simply could not have done it. Now he must return home to discover which townsperson - a friend - may have killed atte Bridge before he and his wife Katie become the murderer's next target.

I was giddy with glee when this book arrived. My favorite time in history! Back then, a suicide was a sin, and those who took their own life could not be buried on hallowed ground. The area where atte Bridge was found was an area most would not wander after dark, as it was the area where the bodies who could not be buried on church ground were buried - hence, unhallowed ground. The author does well in writing the book from a historical point of view, making it easy to loose yourself in the story and not nitpick that things are "off". For those unfamiliar with medieval speak, there is a glossary in the beginning of the book with many words that are no longer common in today's tongue. It also has a little hand drawn map of the town.

As I stated earlier, this is the fourth book in the series, and while you don't need to read the first three, I recommend you do. The books all pick up one after another, and if you like one, you'll enjoy them all. The fifth book in the series should be out later this year! I highly recommend it if you are into historical mysteries. (I'm thinking this should be made into a movie or TV series with Sean Bean as de Singleton - anyone else think so?)

You can visit the author's website here for more on his books.

Unhallowed Ground: The Fourth Chronicle Of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon by Mel Starr is a paperback historical fiction book published by Monarch Books. It is 240 pages long. The suggested cover price is $14.99, but Amazon has it available for $8.88 as of this posting. It is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.

I received a copy of this book as part of a Kregel blog tour in order to share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.

A Question For Those With Dogs...

I stumbled onto this great post over on Dogster called Let’s Talk: Do You Use Retractable Leashes, or Do You Think They’re Completely Lame and Dangerous?.


The long and short of it is that the majority of people commenting think retractable leashes should be taken off the market.

I don't. While we don't use ours all the time - only when hiking state parks - I see the value in them for OWNERS who are properly trained. No, owners isn't a typo. The problem is that the retractable leashes can be a tool for lazy pet owners who don't bother to train their dogs properly. They don't pay attention to the dog, talk on the cell phone a mile a minute, and before they know it - oops, the dog has nearly yanked their arm off going after a squirrel or dashing into traffic. (Usually, it's the same kind of dog owner who doesn't pick up after their dog in public, too)

Granted, I have 30 pound Corgis, not 100 pound Labs. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable carrying a retractable leash that big.

What do you think? Yay or Nay? Do you use one?

Uh Oh...

I have one cranky DH. Apparently he missed out on getting the special package for the upcoming Behemoth concert on April 20th - there were only 15 available. Poor guy, there is even packages still available for San Antonio, but not here in Seattle.

Actually, I'm sulking a little too, because included was a pass to jump to the head of the line so I wouldn't have to stand in line. Not a huge deal, but this is Seattle where it rains all the time - me no want to be wet. lol

I Love Avocados!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Avocados from Mexico for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

As some of you know, we're trying to use more and more natural products around the home. One of the areas I have been having the hardest part with is my hair. I have hair with an attitude, lol. I tried several natural shampoos and conditioners, and unfortunately, my hair was dry, and impossible to detangle. So I wandered the internet, and found a few homemade hair treatments to try out to get my hair at least softer.

Avocados from Mexico, believe it or not, are not only yummy - they are one of the best natural conditioners you can try! To use, simply mash one avocado and a pinch of salt together, then mix with 1/2 cup of olive oil. (If you have super long hair, you might want to use two avocados!)

Apply the mixture to your wet hair, massaging it into the scalp and ends. Leave on for about 20 minutes, then rinse off. When you think about how much some of the deep conditioning treatments can cost at the salon, this is a bargain - and you can do it in your own home, no appointment necessary! This is great especially if you have an overripe avocado that you might have otherwise been tempted to toss in the trash - there's no need to waste.

Do you use avocados for anything besides the usual dip? If you do, I'd love to hear your recipes!

    

Right now, if you visit I love avocados on Facebook, you can download free ringtones, wallpapers & screensavers, as well as send virtual gifts to friends! I downloaded the Authentic Guacamole wallpaper.

Mine never looks that nice. lol Oh well, it's more about taste than the way it looks, right? ;)

By the way, you can connect with I LOVE Avocados! on Twitter @guacgrl and tweet your love of avocados by using the hashtag #iloveavocados.

Like, Share, Change The World

Country music star Trace Adkins gets an A+ in my book. He's teamed up with BC Powder, NASCAR legend Richard Petty, and Goody’s Powder for the “Like, Share, Change The World” campaign to help support the Wounded Warrior Project and the Victory Junction Camp for special kids. For those of you unfamiliar with Wounded Warrior Project, it provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life. It's a great cause.

Both Mr. Adkins and Mr. Petty are asking folks to visit their respective Facebook pages and offer ways that people can help change the world. For every person who visits the Facebook pages www.pickapowder.com and “likes” the videos, a donation will be made to these special charities.


Direct Link for the Feedreaders
What's in it for you? Well, once you like those videos, you can enter to win a trip to either a NASCAR race (if you like Mr. Petty) or a Trace Adkins concert. I don't do NASCAR (sorry!), so I'll pin my hopes on winning the trip for the concert.

Also, for a limited time, you will find Trace Adkins and Wounded Warrior Project on select boxes of BC, and Richard Petty and Victory Junction on select boxes of Goody’s. With each purchase of these specially-marked boxes of BC or Goody’s, made between now and April 1, 2012, fans of Petty and Adkins will have yet another way of giving back to the charities affiliated with each spokesperson and each brand.

I'm not receiving anything for this post - just trying to support a very important cause - our brave men and women who are sacrificing so much for our FREEDOM!

Random Tuesday Thoughts - Recycled Tires

Meatloaf last night was a DISASTER. It was so crumbly, it was more like hash. Geez. I even messed up the mashed potatoes! (and spilled flour all over the floor... I swear, the kitchen troll was out in full force yesterday.)

Last night we were looking at property back home and using Google Earth because neither of us could figure out where some of these places were for the life of us. So for kicks and giggles, I went to go look at the house I grew up in in. Weirdly, it's just aerial, but when you cross down to where DH lived, the whole town is street view. There really is no method to the madness, is there?

I did notice the house I want to buy if we even won the lottery have dropped the price another half a million AND added more photos and information. The drool is only getting worse. I'm almost tempted to start playing the lottery. (yeah, right lol) Someone's getting a deal though when they buy the place. (I feel bad for the seller, it's been on the market almost 3 years now)

I'm ready to do some serious Spring cleaning. I want my windows open, it just seems so stale in here. Sadly, even though it's been raining, there's still plenty of snow on the ground... so it's probably not going to happen any time soon.

We took the car in to have the power steering flushed (it was routine maintenance) and while we were waiting, someone called about having 80 tires to get rid of. 80! *swoons* That would practically build an entire outdoor wall for an earth ship house! (For those going what the... check this link out Isn't her home beautiful?)

*kicks the wall* Man, I want to get to this show on the road. I am itchin' to start digging into my own dirt. I want chickens and goats. More fruit trees. Most importantly, I want SUN. Geez. Sweet irony. I avoided the sun like the plague back home because it would make me blister, and here, all I want is that sun again - I don't care if I blister and burn. (I will about a half an hour later, I'm quite sure - oh, but it will be worth it! lol)

Wah! I just opened the last jar of my peanut butter stash. The last time I stocked up, it was $1 a jar. Somehow, I don't think I am going to get that lucky this time.

The dryer is calling...

Menu Planning Monday 1/23 - 1/29

Monday: meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy

Tuesday: Sweet 'N Sour chicken, rice

Wednesday: Texas BBQ Chicken, rice side dish, salad

Thursday: recipe of the week

Friday: pulled pork sandwiches, waffle fries

Saturday: chicken lasagna, garlic bread

Sunday: slow cooker roast, roasted potatoes & veggies

Check out Organizing Junkie for other great Menu Plans!

A Little Vintage Cheese Chatter

I don't go out thrifting as often these days - the prices scare me - but I was lucky to hit upon a $1 a bag of book sale at a smaller thrift store last week. I'm not going to say it was a goldmine of books as I mostly ended up with some mass market paperback books to take camping this Summer, but I did score this fun vintage Hickory Farms cookbook from 1970.


It's called Cheese Chatter: A Fine Cookbook by Hal Rothschild. The back still has the price tag of $1.49 from back then, which was rather expensive for a paperback cookbook! I love getting Hickory Farms every year for the holidays, so it's a little bit of nostalgia with some fun old recipes to have on my shelf. What I really loved about this one is that each recipe is filled with little stories and anecdotes. There's the background on how the recipe came about, or a memory about the author's family. The recipes aren't cold and sterile like many cookbooks these days, but rather the author sitting down at the table and sharing things with the reader - and you know how I love that. Everything is so impersonal these days. :( At any rate, I'm super pleased to have this one in my collection - especially with the emphasis on CHEEEESE. ;)

I think I was born in the wrong time.....

Giveaway: Little Caesars HOT-N-READY Pizza

Prices keep rising everywhere, from the little things we need to have like toothpaste to basic food items we can't really go without. Have you noticed the price increase on peanut butter alone? *faints* With the extra money going to your grocery bill, having a meal out can be hard to afford.


Little Caesars can help you have a night off from cooking and have a fun family meal together! For just $5, you can pick up a HOT-N-READY pepperoni, cheese, or sausage pizza at your local Little Caesars! Check the Store Locator to find your nearest Little Caesars location in your neighborhood.



Direct Link for the feedreaders

When we cross the bridge to Tacoma, our on-the-go meal of choice is always to pick up a Little Caesars HOT-N-READY pizza - for just $5 plus tax, we all could eat. If we went out to a fast food place, or for a sit-down meal, we'd spend quite a bit more. About six months ago, we had a brand new Little Caesars open up down the street right next to Fred Meyer. DH was super excited. I indulge him from time to time with a HOT-N-READY. ;) I was super tired from the lousy weather this week and wanted a break from cooking, so I told him that he could stop off on the way home today and pick up a Little Caesars HOT-N-READY pepperoni pizza:


I was thrilled not to have cook, and even though I love my homemade pizza, Little Caesars is still pretty good. And at $5, it can't be beat!


Plus, it's almost time for the Big Game! Are you getting excited? Little Caesars can help you prepare for the game on a budget! If you need a big order, call your local Little Caesars. Or simply stop by! From pizza to Crazy Bread to Caesar Wings to soda, Little Caesars has you covered. (Psst... check the website for printable coupons to make your celebration even cheaper!)

For news and promotions, be sure to follow Little Caesars on Twitter or "like" them on Facebook.

Win it! Thanks to Little Caesars, one lucky reader is going to win a $5 Little Caesars gift card! To enter, tell us which HOT-N-READY pizza you'd choose!

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 a Little Caesars GC http://bit.ly/wrhzTs ends 2/4 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 4th 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'm receiving a gift card for this post. One reader will also win a gift card, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.

Book Review: Hard Target By Howard Gordon

I recently received a copy of the new book Hard Target by Howard Gordon to review.


Dale Wilmot would have given his life for his country. His only son, Evan, had joined the military, and nearly given his own life as well - coming back from Afghanistan in pieces, missing limbs and scarred from his wounds. No father should have to see his son like this. Now, Dale is angry at the country that sent his son off to war. Gideon Davis, a former diplomat and presidential advisor, is settling in to a quiet life of being a college professor. He looks forward to being married in a few short weeks to Kate Murphy. His brother, Tillman, was set up as a "terrorist", and sent to prison. He's given a presidential pardon just in time - Gideon is approached by a white supremacist meth head who says he has evidence of an impending attack on US soil. At first, Gideon brushes it off, but when the informant is conveniently murdered, Gideon takes the information to his ex-girlfriend Nancy Clement, who happens to be an FBI agent. Together the three of them must stop the attack before it happens.

At first, I was a little confused why the book jacket had a bunch of praise for one of the author's other books, Gideon's War - usually it should be about the book you're reading, right? Well, Hard Target is the follow up to it. It was a fast paced page turner for me, although there were a few moments that confused me, it would make sense as the story continued. The author is a writer and producer for a lot of fast paced TV shows like 24 and Homeland, so if you like those shows, I think you'll enjoy this book. While you don't have to read Gideon's War to understand what is going on in Hard Target, I recommend that you do first, because you'll understand some of the characters a little better. (I like knowing my characters as well as I can!)

Hard Target by Howard Gordon is a hardcover thriller fiction book published by Touchstone. It is 288 pages long. The suggested cover price is $25.99, but Amazon has it available for $17.04 as of this posting. 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.

Review & Giveaway: Shout Color Catcher With Oxi

As part of Mom Central's Shout Ambassador blog tour, I recently had the chance to try out new Shout Color Catcher With Oxi.


I'm not one who can sit back and ignore the laundry basket all week, and then spend all day doing load after load. I'm OCD - it has to be done. The last thing I want to do is get caught with frozen pipes or a water main break and boom - we're almost out of clean towels and I'm stuck heading off to a laundromat. (The only one in town is super icky!)

I love the color red, and when we painted our kitchen that color, I started buying red towels and dishcloths whenever I could find a good deal on them. I love them, but I live in fear sometimes that I will miss one of those red towels, and DH will end up with a drawer full of pink undershirts! (I'll admit - it would be funny to see my metalhead DH's face if it happened though! LOL!) Thanks to Shout Color Catcher With Oxi, I don't have to worry so much about darker colors - or even red - being mixed in with light fabrics in my washer. I can just toss one of these little pouches with Oxi Powder in the wash before adding my detergent and fabric softener:


They are supposed to be dryer safe, but I pulled them out as I put the clothes in the dyer. (With my old dryer, anything added like that always ends up in my lint trap) I tell you what, it was nice to not have to worry about washing DH's black socks with his lighter colored clothes. I even tossed in my white socks with a load of dark clothes. I'm not sure I'd spend the money to use Shout Color Catcher With Oxi every load - but I like the idea of keeping a box on hand for when I want to make sure my laundry bin is totally empty (like when guests are visiting). If you don't like strong smells, be aware that the scent of what I assume is the Oxi is pretty strong when you open the box.

Don't forget, 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 box of Shout Color Catcher With Oxi! To enter, tell us how often you do laundry in your home.

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 Color Catcher ends 1/28 http://bit.ly/wpcTnY @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends January 28th 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.

Printable DiGiorno Pizza Coupon!

Click here to access a printable coupon to save $1.00 off 2 DiGiorno pizzas (print the coupon by going to any of the products under "Pick Your Winning Lineup") It will probably go fast - so hurry if you want to print!


While you are here, don't forget to check out my other printable coupons to see if there are other coupons available to help you save on your grocery bill!

Please note: I take the time out of my busy schedule to share coupons that have landed in my email, I am not affiliated with the companies. Some coupons may be only available for a limited amount of time or for a limited amount of prints. If you come across a coupon that is now dead, please let me know, either by leaving a comment or sending me an email so I can fix the post. Thanks!

Friday's Featured Etsy - Hot Tots Cool Kids2

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 Hot Tots Cool Kids2.

Hot Tots Cool Kids2 creates custom kids clothes at affordable prices! The owner has been sewing all of her life, but began making custom clothes when her granddaughters were born. If you have an idea for a custom outfit, be sure to contact her so you can work something out!

Check out this cute Ready to Ship Custom Boutique 2 Piece Girl Valentine Fabric Twirl 3 4 5 Pom Pom Skirt:


No one show this Custom Boutique Dora Explorer 2 Piece Nie Nie Set Girl 2 3 4 5 6 to my daughter, please. LOL


This Custom Boutique Black White Dot Stripe Twirl Elizabeth Sundress Halter Vacation Cruise 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 makes me long for Summer to arrive!


Stop by Hot Tots Cool Kids2 today and have a look around! Support handmade!

Snowmageddon 2012

It started out innocently on Monday...


And most of it was gone come early Tuesday. This was the snowstorm they were worried about? But it started back up later Tuesday....


And by Wednesday I wasn't laughing anymore!


It seems every two years we get whacked here with a decent snowstorm - so much for it supposedly not snowing here, right? I am going to need to order us a cord of wood for the rest of the winter - we've almost zipped through the last of our wood! I know those of you who live in areas where it snows a foot in a day (lol) are laughing at me!

Giveaway: Tropicana Trop50

I have a saying I remind myself over and over again when the going gets rough: Ninety degrees and tropical trees. Rough has been this last week - snow, power outage, and DH unable to drive into work. (Not good for my New Year's resolution of working down our debt, not good at all!) I'll do anything to remind me of my saying, from pulling out coconut smelling lotions to drinking a little fruity drinks. Tropicana Trop50 can help me with the last - they have a line of beverages with the goodness of fruit juice with 50 percent less sugar and calories, and no artificial sweeteners. This way, I'm getting my fruity goodness without drinking a ton of calories!


If you missed my last post, Tropicana is hosting the Trop50 True Resolutions contest to celebrate the real reasons behind New Year’s resolutions. All you have to do to enter is share your secret motivation, and you’ll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends! You can even submit incognito, if you don't want anyone on your Facebook to know. And whether you choose to submit a resolution or not, you can still enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card! Head on over the Trop50 True Resolutions page on Facebook to enter! The contest ends January 31st, so hurry to enter! Good luck!

Win it! The folks at Tropicana Trop50 ROCKS, because one lucky reader is going to win a $50 Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by SpaWeek again! To enter, tell us how you're doing on your New Year's resolution. Are you hanging in there? If you didn't make any resolutions, do you have a long term goal you'd like to accomplish?

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 a $50 SpaWeek GC! http://bit.ly/Ay2Pz4 ends 1/28 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends January 28th 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!! :)

Trop50 Winner!

The winner of the $50 Spa & Wellness gift card by SpaWeek thanks to Trop50 is:

Kristen said...

I want to eat more fruit for snacks.

Congratulations! I'm sending you an email right now - remember you have 48 hours to get back to me!

Why Being Prepared Is Important

What started out as a poor excuse of a "snow storm" ended up picking up yesterday. We ended up with about 7-8" of snow over here - I know, for those of you in some areas, that's nothing. But for us here in the Seattle area, that's more snow than we normally see all year! (In fact, I don't think we got more than a dusting of snow last year?)

Very early this morning turned to freezing rain, and you know what that means - heavy branches with snow end up breaking and there goes the power. Luckily, I keep an extra case of Duraflame logs on hand (I've tried almost all of the fast light logs, and those have given me the best results in our fireplace), we had plenty of extra water to drink as well as flush, flashlights ready to go, and the fun games ready to play. We also have alternate ways to cook having both a charcoal BBQ as well as a propane camping stove, so things go pretty much as normal here when we loose the power.

If you haven't taken the time to have the basics ready to go, take a moment this morning to double check those flashlights (and the batteries for smoke alarms if you didn't during the time change!). Check on your extra water, and come up with a plan of where to head if the weather is just too bad to stay at home. Remember, if you will be leaving in a vehicle, to keep an emergency kit in the car with items such as extra warm clothes, kitty litter for traction on slippery roads, and those awesome little heating pads you can find in the camping department of stores like Walmart, REI, etc.

Will The Poe Toaster Return?

For nearly 60 years, a shadowy figure had stopped by on the date of author Edgar Allan Poe's death on January 19th to leave three roses and a bottle of cognac on the grave. A fitting tribute to this great author, sí?

However, the last two years, no one has left a gift near the headstone, making many folks wonder if the tradition has been stopped. Was it a secret society? Descendants of Poe? A family totally obsessed with the man? Will we ever find out?

Mayhap we will, mayhap we won't. It's an intriguing tale nonetheless. I first read "The Raven" when I was six - no, that's not a typo. By the time I was eight, I had read all of the tales and poems written by him. I haven't visited Virginia yet in my life, so I haven't had the chance to visit the Edgar Allan Poe museum, but I look forward to it one day.

If you're a Poe fan too, which is your favorite piece of his work?