Cheeky Umbrells review and discount

If you are experiencing weather like I am here then you have been having rain. While Illinois will have a bit of snow we often receive more rain than snow. While winter rains will be extremely cold and ones you will not want to stay out in the summer rains are fun to play in. The cheeky umbrella company can help make the rain in your life a bit more fun as well.

Jen Zurowski founded the Cheeky Umbrella company after living in Vancouver, BC. As many know Vancouver is plagued with rain so Jen went on the search for an umbrella that would withstand the windy rains that she often saw. While searching for the perfect umbrella Jen came up with the plan to the perfect umbrella. The Cheeky Umbrella was designed so that the rains could be enjoyed.

Cheeky Umbrella's are attractive and host great sayings. Whether they are for you or your little one or perhaps a best friend. I am sure you will find one you love. We received an umbrella sample to review for this post and must say that the one we received is super cute and seems to be made along the lines of the top of the umbrellas.

Buy: you can purchase the Cheeky Umbrella at a store near you. by following this link
http://www.cheekyumbrella.com/umbrellastores.html but if you are like me you may not be able to find one near you as of yet you can order the great Cheeky Umbrella off their website at http://www.cheekyumbrella.com save 10% by using code ANNIES at the online site.

Giveaway for a Good NIghts sleep

While everyone knows that a good nights sleep does the body good. Everyone is not able to get that good night sleep. Either the bed is to hard, to soft or maybe a bit worn. That is why I love the giveaway currently located on the Mommy Mandy blog The giveaway is for a Sealy PosturePedic innerspring signature11 matress set in your choice of size and style.

Sams Club Gift Card Giveaway

Everyone could use a bit of money and when it is money to spend at one of my favorite stores even better. Sams Club is a great place to spend money as they have many different things from groceries to furniture to buy. The blog The Heart of Being Mom is hosting a great giveaway for a $75 gift card. This contest ends December 30, 2009

Three Kids n Us is also hosting giveaway for a $20 gift card. This giveaway ends December 22, 2009.

Yet another giveaway for a Sams Club Card I found today. The giveaway is being hosted by the blog Blessings Abound. This giveaway is for $25 gift card to Sams and ends January 2, 2009

2010 Insert Schedule ~ A Proverbs Wife

2010 Insert Schedule ~ A Proverbs Wife

My daughtere is always wondering what coupons may be coming out in the newspaper as well as if there will be coupons. If you are a coupon queen like she is then you should visit the above link from A Proverbs Wife. Happy New Year to you and happy couponing.

Ham and Vegie Soup recipe

If you are like me you will be serving ham and ham recipes for the next few days. Here is a new recipe that I found interesting and to find even more visit the myrecipes.com

Ham and Vegetable Soup

5 slices bacon
2 large leeks with 2 inches of green top, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 5 cups)
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 (16-ounce) package precut carrot chips or slices (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 pounds parsnips, cubed (about 4 cups)
10 cup vegetable broth
4 cups coarsely chopped cabbage
3 cups diced cooked ham
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Chopped fresh Italian parsley


Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp; crumble and set aside, reserving drippings (about 2 tablespoons) in pan. Add leeks and celery to pan with drippings; cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat 6 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and rosemary; cook 1 minute. Add carrot and next 5 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Discard ham bone. Ladle into individual soup bowls; sprinkle with reserved crumbled bacon and parsley. Garnish, if desired.

Shoes Giveaway

My lil princess all ready is a bit like her momma. Her mother used to have tons of shoes when she lived at home and you should see Princess shoe shelf as well. Yes she does wear them all. I have found another great chance to win her a pair of shoes. The blog Does Mommy Love It is hosting a giveaway where the winner will receive their favorite pair of Beibi shoes. This giveaway ends December 3o, 2009

If you are like the women in my family and one pair of shoes is not enough. There is another giveaway for See Kai Run Shoes currently going on. The blog Parent Reviewers is hosting a giveaway for a pair of shoes as well. This giveaway will end December 28 and while there check out the Mega Xtreme Christmas and New Years giveaway

Melissa and Doug Grocery Store giveaway

I simply think that the Melissa and Doug Grocery Store is the tops. I can imagine playing store when I was a kid but never had the actual store to play with. The blog Mogulbaby is hosting a giveaway where the winner will receive this super cute grocery store set up. The giveaway ends January 3, 2009

Aloha Friday

Aloha Friday a meme hosted on the blog Island Life is a fun meme meant for relaxation. It is a meme where bloggers get together and share an easy question. With Friday being the day of relaxation in Hawaii and it also being Christmas I though I would ask an easy question related to Christmas.

My Question today is: Did you attend a church service last night or read the bible story to your children?

We attended a church service and then came home and ate as a family.

Cheese Dip Recipe

Company has called and said they are stopping by for a visit. Now what are you going to do? This recipe is a quick dip that you can fix up and the ingredients are easy to keep on hand

Cheese Dip

1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 lb. ground beef, cooked, drained
4 green onions, sliced

MIX all ingredients except onions in microwaveable bowl. MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is melted, stirring after 3 min. Stir in onions. SERVE with RITZ Crackers and assorted cut-up fresh vegetables.

I have also made this with sausage instead of hamburger and served with tortilla chips

Happy Birthday Jesus

Santa Will Be Here Soon

One of my favorite songs and so appropriate for tonight. You may want to check out where and when Santa will be there go here

Vintage Bakeshop review

While you are probably either awaiting for a favorite dessert or making one yourself you know secretly that it will last just a short while and then be gone. Instead of giving that special person a snack or sweet as a gift next time think about giving them a lovely mix in a decorative box. That is exactly what the Vintage Bakeshop offers. How lovely of a gift that would make. When the craving of that special sweet or dessert comes up to be able to open the cabinet and thanks to a dear friend or a thoughtful note to be able to create a sweet delight of sorts.

What about using that same idea to help spread good news of a baby shower or a special wedding date. Whatever is important to you can be spread as well. From gifts of special makings to party favors the Vintage Bakeshop will be great for all occasions.

The Vintage Bakeshop was created from a generation of baking enthusiasts and a desire to master the perfect cupcake. Tawnya Zebrowski, the owner of the Vintage Bakeshop, states that her grandmother created elegant wedding cakes and became well known for them. From delicious homemade pies to hand decorated cookies Tawnya's family and friends would come together with delicious goodies. Some of her fond childhood memories took place in the family kitchen where she would watch her grandmother start with a bit of flour and create a masterpiece. Tawnya likes to think of her grand cupcake mixes as an extension of her grandmother. As if through the deliciousness somehow her grandmother lives on. The vintage Bakeshop creates the mixes using the best ingredients around and brings a bit of love in each of the small containers.

Buy: why not treat your family to the same sort of love that the Vintage Bakeshop can offer. If you have an upcoming wedding, party, baby shower, or holiday why not share the delicious goodness of Vintage Bakeshop goodies with family and friends.

A Couple of Lovely Christmas Poems: How to Keep Christmas All Year Long and Jesus Is The Reason

Here are a couple of great poems I found on the internet to me they are both precious as they tell the story of Christmas and how to keep that feeling all year long.

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.
By Joanna Fuchs


Jesus Is The Reason

In Bethlehem, God gave to us
The source of Christmas joy;
A star shown on a miracle:
The virgin birth of a boy.

He was born both God and man,
A Savior for us all,
The way to get to our heavenly home,
If we just heed His call.

So as we shop and spend and wrap
And enjoy the Christmas season,
Let's keep in mind the sacred truth:
Jesus is the reason.
By Joanna Fuchs

Brown Sugar Maple Glaze Ham

Will you be making ham for Christmas Eve or Christmas? Well here is a great glaze to put on your ham. The kids will feel mighty big if they are allowed to mix the glaze to be put on the main dish.


1 Cook's® brand Bone-in Spiral Sliced Ham, Butt or Shank Portion Ham, or Half Ham
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard

1.Prepare and heat ham according to package directions.
2.Meanwhile, combine brown sugar and mustard to make glaze.
3.Brush glaze on your Cook's brand ham 30 minutes before meat is done. Heat ham uncovered for final 30 minutes. Carve ham and serve.

A Christmas Story the movie

To me the Christmas Story will always be the one of baby Jesus being born in a stable as the angels sang. There is a movie titled A Christmas Story and it is one of my favorites as well. It is so fun to watch and remember the days of being young. This is a movie that I can watch with my children and all of us enjoy it. Here is a clip of that movie



What do you think?

Winner Flirty Apron

The winner of the flirty apron is....



Traci Fritz said...
I want the sassy black apron!

winner has been emailed

LeapFrog giveaway

I have always been a person who believed that learning through played made the lesson more memorable. Leapfrog I believe must share that same thought. They have created some very cool toys that children will learn and remember lessons from. The blog the Mommy Files is so cool because they are hosting a giveaway that LeapFrog is sponsoring. A winner will receive LeapFrog Zippity Learning System and a Princess and the Frog Zippity Game!!! I know a little girl and even a boy or two who would love to play with this. The giveaway ends January 6, 2010

Keurig Giveaway

My husband is a coffee drinker rather it be black, with flavor or without. I on the other hand do not drink black coffee and need a bit of sweetner or flavor to enjoy it. Well the Keurig Platinum seems to have a bit for everyone involved. The blog mommypr is hosting giveaway where a winner will receive Keurig Platinum with 12 K-Cups This giveaway ends January 4, 2010

Senate Approves Health Care Bill Reform

The health care debate is one that I have been hearing alot about lately. On the T.V., on the radio, in the papers and yes even from the mouths of those I am around. Whether for it or against it I believe that I have heard many different opinions. I believe that I am for it as I see my brothers go without doctors because they have no insurance. They both work but neither of their jobs offer insurance and they do not make enough to pay for insurance their selves. Yet at the same time I hear older friends at church worried about losing their choice. While congress debates and now the Senate has approved the Health Care Bill reform we all wonder what will be the out come

What do you think?

Outdoor Wednesday: A bit of snow and ice

This reminds me of the old Christmas I love snow and winter for like one day Christmas but with 40+ degree weather we are not going to see this. Unfortunately the bad thing is this picture is what happened in January so I guess we should keep our eyes open.

EcoStore review and giveaway

More than 15 years ago EcoStore NZ was founded by Melanie and Malcolm Rands. The couple were living in an eco village in New Zealand at the time. The couple with all the other families that were living in this village shared a commitment to organic growing and healthy living. Each household was responsible for their own waste water which is where the thought of safer cleaner products started. The store bought chemicals left the waste water with petroleum based synthetic residue. Malcolm became determined to protect the rural waterways of the eco village accepted the challenge to develop household cleaning products using plant based ingredients. The plants were biodegradable quickly and were safer to use than the other cleaning agents. Word spread and a company began to grow.

EcoStore now sells the same "No Nasty Chemical" cleaners on their website. The EcoStore USA loves to make a difference in their customers lives. Like the early cleaners the new products which are now more than 100 in number are all the most stringent environmental and sustainability standards. EcoStore stands by the guide line that any product that they sell is not only good for the user but also for the planet.


We were able to receive a couple of cleaning products from EcoStore and must say that they are powerful cleaners. I also love the fact that they are safer for my family. With little ones running around the house as well as a couple of my children with breathing problems I know I can use the cleaners without any bad results. Now while this is only my opinion the only way that you can gather one of your own is to try the EcoStore products out for yourself.

Buy: you can buy any of the EcoStore products which include baby, hair, bath, body, household and pet off their website located at http://www.ecostoreusa.com EcoStore has a great sale going on where they are offering 40% off of all of their products

Win: Good News!!! The EcoStore would like for one of Annie's Home readers to be able to try out an ecostore product for their self. They are offering a $25 gift card to the EcoStore.


To enter giveaway: visit the EcoStore website and let me know what you would use the $25 giftcard on if you were the lucky winner

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
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• read the review of cowgirl chocolates and leave a comment

The contest starts now and will run through January 13, 2009. Email must be in comment or on blog

$5 Dinner Cookbook giveaway

The blog $5 dinners is hosting giveaways for the cookbooks that contain the same sort of information you can find on her blog. These great books were shown on GMA as one of the top books for Christmas and now you can win one. Simply head over to the blog $5 Dinners and enter the giveaway. These giveaways started yesterday and there will be 10 days of giveaways

Pictures with Santa

This is a picture of my niece and nephews

shared at 5 minutes for mom

Kiss My Thistle review and giveaway

Kiss My Thistle

We have been busy making delicious goodies to share with all those that we love. One thing that we do not make well is shortbread partly because it is not a traditional recipe of ours because we normally always find a shortbread to buy. Let me tell you all the shortbread on the market are not all the same. Some have great taste while others are a bit lame. The shortbread that Kiss My Thistle creates is good and sweet an light. Not only me but my children loved it. Your opinion may differ but the first thing you will have to do is to order some of your own to find out. I even love the name Kiss My Thistle sounds like something my late mother in law would have said she was a lovely lady that loved to have fun in all aspects of life.

Julie Heveran has been eating, sharing and creating delicious shortbread for many years. Kiss My Thistle Scottish Shortbread has been a labor of love for her family for many generations. Julie's grandmother Kate McKechnie from Glasgow Scotland immigrated to the U.S. and brought the recipe with her. Julie learned to make the shortbread as a child and continues on.

Julie has fond memories of both her grandmother and grandfather and the Scottish recipes they would create. Julie brought back the memory of the shortbread when she would create it and give it as Christmas gifts. It always pleased those that received and they would ask for more. Julie became involved in Celtic events and even won first prize in the shortbread competition at the Highland Games. As the shortbread became popular she began to receive orders and requests. This quickly led her to develop the Kiss My Thistle where she would sell the delicious shortbread that was enjoyed by many.

Julie ships the shortbread wrapped and packed in one pound ribbon tied boxes. The shortbread will last around 4 to 6 weeks granted the bag is sealed. For a bit of luck from Glasgow after weight all the candy two more squares are added. Making approximately 35 squares to the pound.

Julie would love to offer one of Annie's Home readers a lb of Kiss My Thistle shortbread.

To enter: visit the Kiss My Thistle website and let me know something that I did not share with you.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• grab my button and let me know where you put it
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• tweet (1 entry per tweet) link in comment
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Contest starts now and runs through January 10, 2009 Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog

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Faith Hill Home for the Holidays

Faith Hill will be working with a few friends in the Home for the Holidays special. Adoption is a issue that I hold on my heart as well. I do not share often but the two youngest in our family were adopted when they were quite young. My grandparents were foster parents and adopted three boys as well. Adoption is an important issue but there are several thousand children that do not have families they can call their own.

Faith Hill host Home for the Holidays special that features children and individuals involved in foster care adoption. This is the second year that she is hosting such and event. Joining Faith in the special are Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Shakira and Carrie Underwood. Stores of adoptions will be shared and told by Jenna Elfman and Nia Vardalos The special will air on CBS

Peppermint Bark recipe

This is so easy to make and I have made it for the past 10 years I know and maybe longer than that. Here is what you have to do.

take 10 candy canes and beat into little pieces

melt 1 lb (package) of almond bark

Mix spread on cookie sheet and let cool

Random Acts of Kindness

This morning I saw a spotlight on ideas to share your Christmas spirit. With the rushing around, hustling and bustling of these last couple of days to Christmas take a deep breath and practice kindness. If you see clothing knocked off the rack in store take time and pick it up instead of running over it. Take your cart back to the front of the store or the stall instead of letting it roll away. Perhaps even smile and say thank you to those that are helping you. Little acts of kindness can help you out greatly

Merry Christmas

Pipe Cleaners and Beads Ornaments

You can do alot with pipe cleaner and beads. Which is the reason I keep them on hand. Making cool ornaments like these to making DNA strand for science report both can be done with pipe cleaners and beads. In those days that cabin fever set in drag out some pipe clean and beads and use your imagination and see what you can design.

Heart Healthy Cheesy Potato Recipe

Well we have been attempting to watch what we eat around here more often. I can remember being my kids age and I believe everything we ate was fried. Well those days are gone but the days of having good tasting food is not. There are several recipes over at the Heart Healthy Online website that will help you enjoy great food with health benefits as well.

Heart Healthy Cheese Potato Recipe

1 10 3/4-ounce can reduced-fat and reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup light dairy sour cream
1/3 cup finely chopped onion or 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 30- or 32-ounce package frozen shredded or diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes or crushed wheat cereal flakes

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a very large bowl, combine soup, cheese, milk, sour cream, onion, and pepper. Stir in potatoes. Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish. Cover and bake for 45 minutes; stir potatoes. Sprinkle with cornflakes. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving

Prince William sleeps on the street to help bring awareness

Can you imagine a prince sleeping in a cold alley? Well that is exactly what happened recently. Prince William, the son of the late Princess Diana, chose to sleep in an alley to bring awareness to the many homeless British teenagers. Prince William stated that one night could not even come to to compare to the teens that have to sleep on the streets night after night. Princess Diana had always exposed Prince William to the hardships in life and in 1996 actually took him to a shelter. Princess Diana was well known for her charitable work and Prince William is caring on this work as well.

What Do You Think?

Michelle Obama Christmas Spirit

First Lady Michelle Obama, along with her daughters Sasha and Malia and of course don't forget Bo the dog continued a tradition started by Bess Truman many years ago. The tradition of visiting young patients at Children's National Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon. During their visit they greeted patients, thanked hospital staff for their care and tired less work and read the story "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the many children, their parents and caregivers



I absolutely love Michelle Obama's caring spirit. She has been a very out going first lady being involved in many worthwhile causes. She reminds me of the presidential first ladies of the past. While Laura Bush had her ideas and goals as well she was mostly behind scenes. I love the way that Michelle seems to be outgoing fighting her own battles yet not over shining her husband or speaking politics. This to me is the way it should be.

What do you think?

American Express gift card giveaway

I am not sure about you but sometimes pay day does not stretch as far as it should. That is why I love to win gift cards on blogs. With the gift cards I can continue in one of my great habits, shopping. The blog Mom Start is hosting giveaway for $50 american Express card. This giveaway ends December 31, 2009.

Random Thought Tuesday

Here we find ourselves just a couple of days before Christmas. Oh wow where has all the time gone. Yes I am done and ready for college yet I have to say that the time went way too fast. Maybe it is because there are not young people in our house. Yes I do have Princess but we had our Christmas last weekend. It was great she is always so much fun.

We will go together to church Christmas Eve this is a tradition that we have had for the last several years. Our friends at church have allready suprised us with a delicious ham. Wow it was the biggest one I had seen this Christmas season. Is it not great to have wonderful friends? We will meet with friends and family and enjoy a night of being together at church. Many of our friends will be there and I think it is just wonderful as some of our friends have either just had babies or are expecting them. I believe Christmas is for the young ones and with them all is brighter.

Two days after Christmas we will head to the youth convention in Springfield IL. It will be so fun as there will be lots of young people gathering together to learn more about our Lord, each other and what they can do to help. This is our first year in attending this event. I have heard it is great though and hope my kids get something out of it.

As my children get older and school is 1/2 way through we look to the future and wonder where my children will be next year. Next year will find only 1 in highschool and the rest in college or beyond. My eldest son will stay where he is, my daughter will transfer colleges and I have 2 more that start college this year. The adventures we have to look forward to.

Well those are my random thoughts and what are yours? Share them at the UnMom blog and see what others are doing as well.

A giveaway to help you relax

The blog frugalrimama is hosting a giveaway that is meant to help you relax. I am sure That you have been as busy as I have during this Holiday season and when it is over you will want a chance to relax. HALLS is sponsoring the giveaway where the winner will recieve a little bit of relief from the Holiday stress along with a set of slippers a robe and a $100 AMEX gift card. Man sounds like a great deal to me. If you agree you will need to head over to this link http://www.frugalrimama.com/2009/12/halls-refresh-robe-slipper-set-and-100-amex-gift-card-giveaway.html/comment-page-1#comment-16949 by January 4th to enter the giveaway

Elks Shoe giveaway

Have you seen the super cute shoes that are located on the elk website? Elk shoes are unique soft sole leather shoes that are perfect for children newborn to four (4) years old. The blog Thanks Mail Carrier is hosting a giveaway for a pair of elk shoes. The giveaway ends January 7, 2009

Frito Lay giveaway

A party is not a party to me without the chips and dip. Oh I love the good stuff such as cookies and snacks but the chips and dips call it for me. Currently there is a frito lay "Party in a Pinch" giveaway on the Getting All My Ducks In a Row blog. The winner will receive a gift basket assortment of Frito-Lay products, decorative serving bowl and a guide to entertaining guests during the holidays (valued at approximately $40) Giveaway ends January 3, 2009

Giveaway where you can win shopping money

The blog Stretching a Buck is hosting a giveaway where the winner will receive a $25 gift card to T.J. Maxx This giveaway ends December 23, 2009. This would be great to have for after holiday shopping. If you plan to enter hurry though.

Kitchen Tip Tuesday: baking tip

Do you hate it when you have trouble getting the brownies or the fudge out of the pan? I must tell you that you all allready might know this tip but I personally found out about it. To lessent the sticking use wax paper to line pan before pouring mix in. This will allow the baked product to not stick to the pan. Like I said easy tip but still I think a great one.

Child To Cherish Grandmas Little Baker Suitcase Giveaway

Oh the holidays have been such a wondrous time. I have had tons of fun and much of the reason is because of Princess. While my kids are all enjoying Christmas and have wonderful spirit it is Princess who seems to bring it home. Everything is new to her and she is into everything. She loves the tree, the presents, the goodies and just about everything. The one thing she does not love is Santa himself. So with this being said you know I have been on the outlook for all sorts of great things for Princess and me to do together. I love the Grandmas Little Baker Suitcase that Child To Cherish offers on their website. Oh the fun that can be had when Princess and I are together.

I have created cookies with my own children many times in the past. I always wondered when individuals told me that it would be great with grandchildren how that could truly be. Well, let me tell you, it is such a wonderful adventure each time I am able to spend time with Princess. Perhaps that is because she lives away from me and I do not see her every day but then maybe it is also because she is my only grandchild and so special to me or maybe it is because I get to relive the memories that I had with my own children when they were that small. Whatever the reason I can tell you that baking in the kitchen with Princess is super fun. Do you have a grandmother in your life that feels the same way about her children? Perhaps you need to purchase the Child to Cherish Grandmas Little Baker Suitcase for them as well.



The Child To Cherish Grandmas Little Baker Suitcase includes a bakers apron, a rolling pin a spoon, a recipe booklet and 3 cookie cutters and a tin to keep them all in. In other words the Little Baker Suitcase has everything but the ingredients to make a great cookie baking session.
How fun and the tin allows you to keep all the supplies in an orderly fashion so that each time you get time to bake the set is easily found.
One of Annie's Home readers will win a Child to Cherish Grandmas Little Baker Suitcase of their own. I feel a bit jealous and nearly wish that I could enter my own giveaway. The chance to review or host giveaway was offered and because I love baking with Princess so much I wanted a reader to see the love and bond of grandma and child with a bond in the kitchen as well.

To win: You must visit Child TO Cherish and let me know another item you think is tops.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog (2 entries)
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Contest starts now and will run through January 5, 2009. Please have email in comment or on blog I can not let you know if you win if I cant reach you.

Tis the Season for Baking

I love to bake and have since I was a child. My mother let us in the kitchen and I let my children in the kitchen as well. Just last night we made Peanut Butter fudge and No Bake Cookies together me, my husband and all of my children that still live at home. We had a blast. I love the giveaway on the blog Rockin Mama where she is sponsoring a giveaway for a nine (9) piece set of UltraGOld bake ware from Wilton. This giveaway ends on January 5, 2009.

Sealy Posturepedic Bed giveaway

Oh my to take a long slumber in a super comfortable bed nearly seems like a dream. As parents of six (6) children we hold the responsibility of making our children dreams come true and often ours go aside. Let me tell you though if I was able to win a Sealy Posturepedic bed on the blog Mommy Mandy it would be a dream come true. If you share a dream like mine then you may want to head over to Mommy Mandy before the giveaway ends on January 20, 2009

The Sealy Posturepedic bed is designed to offer that good nights sleep and has been fashioned so that one rest comfortable. The bed has been designed to give relaxation to the bodys pressure points. After years of working as nurses aide I have learned about pressure points and how to make sure that individuals do not sleep on them. That is exactly what this bed will do for you, me and anyone who sleeps in one.

Winner: Pro Mom Tee

Winner of the Pro Mom Tee is:

The Penny-Pinching Mama said...
I like All-American Mom but if it's out of stock...then the Peace and Love Forever Mom tee.

Thanks for all to enter there was 600+ entries

Book Review: Secrets Girls Keep

I recently was able to review the book Secrets Girls Keep by Carrie Silver-Stock. This book brought back lots of memories. Being a girl is not easy, raising girls is even harder, and having this book to read was great. I was a typical teen age girl uneasy in my own skin. I have three (3) daughters and each of them just a bit different. The book Secrets Girls Keep helped me understand and remember the problems that I faced as a teen. The secrets girls keep are many and can be a variety of sorts. These secrets often help us, hurt us and may even haunt us through out the very years of high school. High School itself can be quite rough path of life.

Many of the secrets that girls keep are secrets about how they think they look. (are they cute, ugly, pretty is there a zit coming on or is it the wrong hair style?)
One secret my eldest daughter held was the way her boyfriend treated her. She did not tell me until after she was married to another man (a great man) that her first boyfriend had treated her terribly. I had no idea all though I did thing to myself many times that I wish somehow they would break up.

I can remember the first time that I made love with my boyfriend I felt ashamed and could not tell anyone. I married this man and we have been happy for 20+ years but in the early years this always bothered me. Because of that I always had an open conversation with my girls trying to emphasize no sex before marriage but always ready to talk about it at any time. This is because this is an area I do not want my daughter to regret her firs experience.


There are many areas that a girl may keep secrets in that is why I love the book Secrets Girls Keep by Carrie Silver-Stock. Carrie shares personal stories, struggles and secrets that other teen girls have shared with her. To me this means alot it means girls will know they are not alone. Carrie wants to show her readers how to deal with everyday stresses by being self-reliant, and to speak up so that it does not become a secret.


The book Secrets Girls Keep is a guide of sorts that will teach our young women to understand the dating game, how to make and keep friends, how to deal with school because we all know that grades and peer pressure can both be tough. However, the book does not stop there because Carrie Silver - Stock wants girls to be able to learn to deal with family drama and if something is wrong to tell someone that they trust and can help them, to use the cyber scene and the computer to navigate their way around safely, and to share in stories that other girls are going through because they may be facing the same situation

If you have a teenage daughter or know a young lady that may benefit from a book that offers guidance then you need to check out the book by Carrie Silver-Stock titled Secrets Girls Keep.

Get your free ultimate cloth

Wow a freebe and a great one at that. This one is for an Ultimate Cloth. The Ultimate Cloth can help make your house keeping chores easier. The Ultimate Cloth is 13.5" X 15.5" in size and is the perfect size for most cleaning jobs. Made from high quality MiraFiber the Ultimate Cloth excels cleaning all hard surfaces of your home or business. The Ultimate Cloth is the perfect cleaning cloth whereever you need to clean.

While the Ultimate Cloth is retailed at $6 you can get one free. Not only will you save money by not paying for the Ultimate Cloth but you will also save money because you will no longer need the bottles of chemicals or the papertowels. Saving money and time is every house cleanders dream and that is exactly what the Ultimate Cloth is providing

So while cleaning your house and getting ready for the holidays and new year remember the Ultimate Cloth.

Family Dollar can help Christmas come to life

Taking a stroll through my Family Dollar I can find lots of great buys from the stylish clothing and shoes to the toys and Christmas decorations. Family Dollar has always been on my list of stores to do Christmas shopping at. My children loves buying gifts at Family Dollar as well because they have a great variety to choose from with reasonable prices. Another great reason to stop by Family Dollar is because there is a wonderful giveaway at She Scribes blog where Kim is hosting a giveaway for a $50 gift card at Family Dollar. Yeah!!!! With that I am sure that alot of shopping can be done. Hurry though as this ends tonight 12/21

Toy Kitchen Giveaway

As a grandmother of a little girl I love playing house, tea party and dolls. One thing that I know Princess needs is a play kitchen. Good thing I found a giveaway for one on the blog Two of a Kind Working on a Full House. Dee is hosting a giveaway on her blog Two of a Kind Working on a Full House where a winner will receive a toaster set from Pretend Play Kitchen. This giveaway ends January 8, 2009

White Hot Chocolate

My favorite drink on a cold morning is hot cocoa. I must say that yesterday I had one of the young men in my sunday school to gift me with some delicious packs of cocoa. They were all flavored and my favorite is white chocolate. I found this recipe on Parents.com and I thought you might want to try it as well. The recipe makes enough for you and someone to enjoy it with.

White Hot Cocoa

1-3/4 cups milk, divided
1/2 cup white-chocolate chips
Whipped topping
Blue sugar crystals and sprinkles

In a small saucepan, heat 1/4 cup milk and chocolate chips over medium heat, whisking until chocolate melts. Stir in remaining milk and heat to warm. Pour into 2 or 3 glasses. Garnish with whipped topping and blue sugar crystals and sprinkles.

Make your own Cheese Straws and Cheese Balls

we make alot of snacks this time of year and here is another great one that I found on MyRecipes.com

Cheese Straws

1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces and softened
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon half-and-half

Combine first 5 ingredients in a food processor; pulse in 5-second intervals until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add half-and-half, and process 10 seconds or until dough forms a ball.
Turn dough out onto a well floured surface, and roll into an 8- x 10-inch rectangle (about 1/8 inch thick). Cut dough with a sharp knife into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-wide strips, dipping knife in flour after each cut to ensure clean cuts. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until ends are slightly browned. Cool on baking sheets on a wire rack 30 minutes. Break into desired lengths.

Note: To make cheese rounds, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness, and cut with a 1 1/2-inch round cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake and cool as directed. Freeze baked cheese straws or rounds in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic freezer bag up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.

Carolyn in Carolina celebrates 200th post with a giveaway

There is a super cool giveaway on the blog Carolyn in Carolina and the reason for this giveaway is super as well. The 200th post mark has been reached and to celebrate Carolyn is hosting giveaway where the prize is an autographed copy of the Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives My husband adores Guy and I love the Carolyn in Carolina blog. You should head over and visit Carolyn as well. The giveaway ends January 4, 2009

Sprig Toys

If you have visited my blog often you know that I love toys that allow imagination, adventure and learning through fun. Sprig toys I believe fulfill all three of my qualifications for good fun toys. We received a couple of different toys from Sprig to prepare this review. My granddaughter Princess was very lucky to get to play with such wonderful toys. Her daddy and her played together as a couple of the toys had age recommendations that were higher than the age of Princess. But her daddy is very often like a little boy and loves to play toys with her.

At bath time last night Princess played with the Dolphin Explorer boat. I was very impressed with this boat and toys by Sprig Toys as it is not a tiny one but not a giant one either. In my opinion it is the perfect size to play with in the tub. Possibly the only thing that we did not like about the toy is that the little man did not have a face. While this did not bother me or Princess for some reason her mommy thought it was weird for the man not to have a face.

Sprig Toys has many wonderful story tellers where the child build a set but tells a story of sorts as they play. We received the Story Building Barnyard and is loved by everyone including Princess. After playing farmville on facebook for so long it seems as if we have all became professional farmers ready to build and play while we tell a story and of course Princess is there to help. Other Story builders include Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and the Story Building Palace.

Sprig Toys to me is a great toy company because they make some of the funnest toys that children can actually use their imagination and learn by they are are also protecting the earth because they are eco friendly. Sprig Toys cares about the kids so much that their desire is to keep the planet healthy and the children active. By allowing the child to use their imagination they will think more, move more and I believe have more fun. With so many children sitting and watching videos and/or playing video games the world needs more toys like Sprig Toys.

Buy: Sprig Toys can be ordered directly off their website by following this link

http://www.shopatron.com/home/index/1740

Walking makes for good exercise and health

My main way of exercising is walking. I love to walk anywhere that I can and normally do. Possibly the only time I don't walk is when I go shopping. So let me ask you do you do much walking? Whether it is fast speed walking or slow leisurely walking they both burn the same amount of calories. When I first started walking it was at a slower pace now I walk at a much speedier pace but still not to fast I like to take the world in.

Here a couple of great reasons that might just get you in the mood to walk for exercise as well:

• Walking helps to prevent type 2 diabetes. Walking 150 minutes per week and losing 12 to 15 lbs can reduce risk of diabetes by 58% is what the Diabetes Prevention Program recommends
• You can strengthen your heart by walking.
• Walking is good for your brain. Studies have shown women who walk an easy pace for 1.5 hours a week will have better cognitive function

Now that I have shared my reasons for walking and also given you some ways that walking can help your health what do you think are you ready to put your shoes on and go for a walk?

shared on Wii Mommies blog during their Fitness Friday

VTech Bugsby Reading Set

The blog Human Christian is hosting a giveaway fora VTech Bugsby Reading set. This would make a wonderful aide for any young child to learn to read or build their reading skills. The winner will receive the starter Bugsby reading kit. The giveaway ends December 27, 2009

Olive Kids Giveaway

Have you had a chance to visit Olive Kids website and see all the cool items they have for sell? I know that my daughter loves to decorated my granddaughters room. She does this quite often it seems every stage that Princess has went through they have changed just a little in decor. She Scribes is hosting a giveaway sponsored by Olive kids where the winner will receive a personalized plate and place set. This giveaway ends December 28, 2009

Coca Cola giveaway

The Fairy Blog Mother blog and Jolly Mom are each hosting a giveaway where two winners have the chance at great prizes.

• One winner will win two Coca-Cola holiday t-shirts and a plush Coke bottle.
  One winner will win a copy of Guitar Hero 5 for Xbox 360.

Both giveaways end December 31, 2009

and dont forget about the Coca Cola Gift of Gaming instant win game where you have a chance of winning as well.

Hoover WInd Tunnel giveaway

I have a good friend of mine who believes that the only good vacuum cleaner is a Hoover. I agree that Hoovers do a great job and have came out with some wonderful products. The blog Jabbering Jessi is hosting a giveaway sponsored by Hoover that will see a winner win the Hoover Windtunnel T series vacuum. I would love to win this because a couple of my teens suffer from allergies and asthma. The windtunnel will help lessen the chance of them having respiratory problems and that I like. This giveaway ends January 17, 2009.

Barnes and Nobles $25 gift card giveaway and Book assortment

The blog Cutepea's Freebies is hosting a giveaway sponsored by Cheerios in the hopes that everyone keeps on reading. The winner of this giveaway will win an assortment of books as well as $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble to choose and buy another favorite book. This giveaway will end December 26, 2009

Step2 giveaway

My granddaughter is starting to fall in love with dolls, dishes, and kitchens. Yes she is starting to make that move out of baby/toddler to that of a girls world. I believe this new period will be very fun. I would just love to get her one of the Step2 kitchens and the blog Rave and Review is hosting giveaway sponsored by Step2 for a Fresh Market Kitchen. It is super cute as you can see and I could see Princess having lots of good fun with this. The giveaway on Rave and Review will end January 30, 2009

Progesso Soup Giveaway

I have to say that soup in a can brings back childhood memories. Progresso will often be found in my cabinet. I love the taste of the soup and it is so easy to open and eat. The blog Dirty Shirt Blog is hosting a giveaway sponsored by progresso soup. The winner will receive the soup, two special soup cups and two soup spoons branded with Progresso. This contest will end December 22, 2009