Kicky Pants review

Erin Cloke started the company Kicky Pants while on bed rest with her second child. WOW!!! That says alot for me here she was on bed rest and designing a line of baby clothes. The Kicky Pants line is both convenient, fun and looks great. Kicky Pants are made out of bamboo fabric. Since starting this blog I have fallen in love with all the great bamboo and green lines of clothing. Bamboo is antibacterial, anti fungal and antistatic. Tie all this in with the cute look that Kicky Pants gives and you have a super clothing line for the little ones.

Buy: follow this link to see where Kicky Pants products are available at

We recieved a cute little shirt for review that we loved and felt that it was both attractive and well constructed. The views and opinions are those of mine alone

Peter Rabbit Organics giveaway

If you are looking for something special to put in the Easter Baskets of tiny little ones? Maybe you should consider peter Rabbit organics. I created an earlier post with Peter Rabbit Organics and you can read that post here The goal of Peter Rabbit Organics is to provide great tasting, healthy, organic food. Peter Rabbit never adds sugar or anything artificial. You can feel good by allowing your little one to enjoy Peter Rabbit Organics. Princess loves these from a very young age and now that she is able to feed herself she still loves Peter Rabbit Organics.

Peter Rabbit is looking for pictures of kids enjoying the delicious Peter Rabbits Organic product. They will feature these pictures on their website. For more information you can go to the Peter Rabbits Organic website

Buy: you can visit this link to find out where you can purchase Peter Rabbit Organics

Win: One of Annie's Home readers will receive a 10 pack of mixed Peter Rabbit products.

To enter this giveaway you should visit the Peter Rabbits Organic website and let me know something that I did not share with you.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog (must be public following or will not count)
• subscribe to my blog
• place me on your blog roll with a link back to my blog
• follow my blog on twitter
• follow peter rabbit organics on twitter
• tweet the giveaway
• blog the giveaway
• follow peter rabbit organics on facebook

Giveaway starts now and ends April 9, 2010 Good Luck If your email is not on blog or in comment your entries will not count

Budget : Envelope System

I would love to share with you all a system that has worked for me since I got married. The envelope system works whether you have a little bit of money or more money than you did have. The envelope system works like this

1. get your paycheck cashed in $20s , $10s, $5s, and $1s


2. take a bunch of white envelopes and write on the front of each envelop a name of a bill such as gas, food, rent, utilities and also things such as entertainment


3. divvy up your cash among the envelopes and place them in a safe place


4. spend and pay your bills out of the envelopes that are marked for them when the envelope is empty that is all you have til the next time you get paid

This works for me. Try it may work for you.

This time Last Year

Last year we attended the same conferance we are going to this year. Here are a few of the great pictures that we took last year. I will have more to share this year when i get back. We are so looking forward to this

visit here to see more great pictures of friday flashbacks.

Spring is for fun bugs

Spring time brings warm weather, Easter, and bugs. Yes, I said bugs. I can remember how fearless many of our children were with the great bugs, worms etc... they would find outside. I was not as fearless as them and they soon found that out and had lots of fun.

David Carter has created one of the cutest springtime pop up books. Not only is it for Easter but it has those glorious bugs inside. My grandbaby loves pop up books and makes her mommy read them over and over to her. She giggles and laughs as she sees the different pages and the great colors.

Eric Carle is another author that has created a great book about a bug. The Very Hungry Caterpillars seems to gobble up lots of things. Reading the book will help the child to gobble up concepts such as numbers, the days of the week as well as the life cycle of a butterfly.

To have a buggy time with your child you can check out other great ideas here that shares craft ideas, book ideas and other great lessons

find other great books Feed Me Books here

Friday Fill Ins

1. The right word to say is often hard to find

2. please leave and shut the door quietly, please.
3. Up in the air sounds like a great movie.
4. St. louis is where you'll find me.
5. Ooh! What is that sound in the other room are the twins at it again?
6. the health bill is a good idea.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to christian concert in St. Louis tomorrow my plans include collecting can goods for the poor and Sunday, I want to share the story with others

Babies

Babies the movie will be premiering in theatres Mother's Day Weekend. Four babies from around the world will be featured in this movie for babies, moms and families. Go here to find out more about this great movie

Free Tide with Febreze

Get free tide with Febreze from Walmart.com

thanks Coupon Mommie

Thankful Thursday

hosted by Women Taking a Stand

Today I am thankful for my teens, my church, my family and pretty much all that is surrounding me. The spring weather of yesterday has been replaced by the rain of today but the thought of that rain bringing beautiful flowers brings happy thoughts to mind. My teens and I will again be traveling to a teen Christian concert that we are looking so forward to. Since my teens are all getting older there is no real telling how many more conferences such as this we will travel together as a family. I delight in the thought that my children love to worship our Lord as much as I do and that they will continue on with the joy of worshiping at their home, at their church, or where ever they are. That is what I am thankful today the though of a future here on Earth and a promise of one in Heaven.

BlockBuster Express rent 1 get 1 rental free code

One of our favorite ways to have family time is through great movies. We try to do this at least once a month. I love to have everything in order because teens are like little kids you either have it all together or they loose patience quick. BLOCKBUSTER Express kisoks can help make this taske easier. The DVD selections can be viewed online at http://www.blockbusterexpress.com/ and for $1 a night I can pick them up at any Express Kisok location at our convenience. The best part is that unlike alot of video stores in my town no membership is needed. Until March 31, 2010 you can use the coupon code: 555G13B and rent one DVD and get another for free

Things I Love Thursday hosted by TheDiaperDiaries.net

Chicken Tetrazzini

find more delicious recipes at the host blog Diary of a Stay at Hom Mom

Chicken Tetrazzini

8 oz. angel hair pasta

2 c chicken broth

2 c cooked chicken, cut up

1/2 c milk

1/2 c sour cream

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 c shred cheese



boil and drain spaghetti, mix together with the rest Top with 2 T melt margarine and 1/2 c bread crumbs Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes.



this can be made ahead and frozen and in a 9x13 or (2) 8x8 pans and freeze.

Easter Bird Nest recipe

hosted by Me & Lu to Blog

Easter Bird Nest

•1 cup chocolate chips
•1/2 cup peanut butter chips
•1 tablespoon shortening
•1 1/2 cups chow mein noodles
•Jelly beans

Prepare a tray by lining it with waxed paper. In a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips and peanut butter chips and the shortening. Stir well. Microwave for 30 seconds. Again mix well. Now add the chow mein noodles and stir well to coat them completely. Drop by heaping tablespoons on to the waxed paper lined tray. Gently press down with the spoon to form a small well
for nests. Place mini jelly beans candy in the nest while the chocolate is still warm so that they will stick.

Rainy Day Organics Review and Giveaway (2 winners)

Rainy Day Organics where joy, happiness and love for life are sold in "ducky designs" for babies and toddlers. Rainy Day Organics is the name of a great ebay store that sells organic tees, rompers among other things for babies and toddlers. Rainy Day Organics reached out to me and asked me to host a giveaway for them We received a ducky tee to review and we loved it.

I personally love the Rainy Day Organics tees for several different reasons. The organic part to me means the company cares about the earth and their customers. I also love the little ducks that adorn every product they sell. From puddle jumping umbrella carrying ducks to soccer playing or tricycle riding ducks they all are adorable.

Two of Annie's Home readers will win the Rainy Day Organics product of choice. That's right the ebay store of Rainy Day Organics wants you to go shopping and look at all their great looks come back here and in a comment let me know which one is your favorite. You must do this to enter the giveaway.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• follow me on twitter
• tweet the giveaway ( 1 entry per tweet) link in comment
• blog about the giveaway (5 entries per tweet) link in comment
• buy something from rainy day organics (10 entries)
• comment on any post on my blog for 1 extra entry per post

Giveaway starts now and will run through April 8, 2010. Good Luck Email must be on blog or in comment

I received a tee from the sponsor to use in review. Thoughts and opinions are those of mine alone

Plan Toys review

Plan Toys is a company that we can all agree on. The great toys that are sold here are green toys created by a green company but are also versatile, hands on learning that all should love. Plan Toys creates toys that will provide hours of hands on learning that helps to promote and grow a child's imagination, physical and intellectual development. Plan Toys believe in the "Three R's" reduce, reuse and recycle. So if you are looking for the perfect toy for your child then you want to look no further than Plan Toys.

We recieved a lovely toy that is perfect for Princess. It was built accordian style and allowed her to crawl on the floor pushing it along making vibration noises or simply to hold and play finger time within the accordian style car. This toy was great as it was made of wood like the great old toys and held Princesses attention for a while. Thank you Plan Toys for allowing me to review a great product of yours.

Children Sleeping In Their Own Bedroom

As a Sunday School Teacher we often are told little things by our kids that are so funny. I love the fact that our kids love and trust enough to share little secrets with us. Recently one of our kiddos shared that their mommy and daddy wanted her to start sleeping alone in their bed. To her this was such a major idea, she would be alone in her room, sleep in her bed and she just did not know what to think. We offered our support and each week she comes back and has shared new details, currently she is out of her parents bedroom and sleeping on the couch, not yet in her bed but with building confidence she will get there. I remember this with my children as well. If you are trying to teach your child to sleep in their own bed here are a few tips you may want to check out:

• Eliminate distractions such as radios, computers, t.vs that may keep your child awake
• Start a bedtime routine so that your child can wind down and realize when it is time to go to bed
• Start allowing her to have independence if you have to start out in her room then do so but gradually move away from her to the point that she will no longer need you in her room
• perhaps a bottle of monster go away spray or a stuffed animal will allow her reassurance that she can do it
• you can find other great tips at Parents.com

Dillygiggles

Have you been on the search for the perfect Easter basket treat? Dillygiggles in my opinion has a great treat that you may want to consider. Dillygiggles is a safe lip balm and an alternative to those on the market that are chemically laden. Amy Havens is a mother and the driving force behind Dillygiggles started Dillygiggles in 2007 when her daughter showed interest in lip balms.

Dillygiggles quickly became a fun filled whimsical line of products for young girls and parents approve the great organic chemical free product.

Flavors offered by Dillygiggles are magical mint, sassy citrus, fairy cherry, and cocoa kisses. One of the best things that I love about Dillygiggles is that they share the ingredients found in each on their website. The prices for Dillygiggles products are great as well

Buy: you can order directly off the Dillygiggles website.

I received a sample of the Dillygiggles product for use on this review. The thoughts and opinions are my own

Twenty Minute Chilli recipe

The other day I shared with a fellow blogger how my mother would spend all day creating a delicious pot of chili but because of time, business and simply being a mom I could not do that myself. Here is a great recipe I found on the website myrecipes.com that gives you that great taste of chili in less time:

Twenty Minute Chili

1 (3 1/2-ounce) bag boil-in-bag long-grain rice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 pound ground turkey breast
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes with jalapeño peppers and spices, undrained
1 (5.5-ounce) can tomato juice
1/4 cup (1 ounce) preshredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Preparation
Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

While rice cooks, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and turkey, and cook 3 minutes or until done, stirring to crumble. Stir in chili powder and the next 8 ingredients (chili powder through tomato juice); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Serve over rice, and sprinkle with cheese.

Sissy Tags review and giveaway

Going away for a spring trip, have a trip planned with family? Do you want to travel with less fear of having your bag mistaken for another? I can tell you on a recent trip that I took with the youth from church mistaking luggage can become a hassle. Is it yours or is it theirs do you have any places on your bag that makes it yours? Well Sissy Tags can help you with this problem. You can tag your bag, take your tote, tag anything you want to let others know is yours. This may be just what my fellow bloggers who travel away to go to conferences etc... may be looking for



Sissy the person behind the fancy Sissy Tags is human like the rest of us. With the world ahead and fears behind she struck out to follow her dreams, take risk and find passion in life. The financial front to Sissy looked bleak with layoffs ahead and she had no idea of what she would do, how she would pay the mortgage and bills that she was facing. But with the strong will power she bestows, her husband who loves her and her family that supports her Sissy made a dream of owning her own business come true.

Sissy Tags are the original tag for your bag. Stylish, sassy and fashionable Sissy Tags not only make ones life easier but makes the user look good doing it. Whether you want others to know the bag is yours or who you are Sissy Tags will help you get the job done.

Sissy Tags has tags for every member of the bridal party. These would make cute place settings, be great for luggage for those friends and bridal parties that travel to a lovely place to get married.




Here is one that you all know that I would love. I am the grandma and I want everyone to know it. Not only am I a proud grandma but with this sissy tags I can announce to everyone and let all know just who I am.


What about this great tag that allow you to quickly identify your tote or bag without giving to much information away about your self.

The best thing about Sissy Tags is that Sissy actually wants to give one of Annie's Home readers a 6 pack of tags for their selves. YEAH!!! How great your choice.

Buy: you can purchase your sissy tag online here or check here to see if there is a retailer near you

To enter this giveaway please visit the Sissy Tags website and let me know what 6 would be your choice if you were the lucky winner.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• subscribe to my blog
• follow my blog on twitter
• tweet about the giveaway (1 entry per tweet) link in comment
• blog about the giveaway (5 entries) link in comment

Giveaway starts now and ends on April 7, 2010. Good Luck Email must be on blog or in comment


I did not receive anything for posting this giveaway and the thougths and opinions shared are my own and you may or may not agree with them.

Sleepy While Driving?

Cold medicines, warm sleepy days, long journeys, and lack of sleep are among the reasons that drivers may feel sleepy while driving. Tired drivers have accounted for at least 100,000 accidents per year according to the stats of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Here are a few tips to try if you find that you are tired while driving

• if you find yourself falling asleep behind the wheel get a good check up from your doctor to make sure there is nothing serious wrong
• don't drive if you are tired
• if driving long distance take a break and pull over for a quick cat nap or a bit of a walk
• try a bit of caffeine
• never ignore being tired behind the wheel

Crockpot Italian Beef

Crockpot Italian Beef

1 beef roast

1/2 t italian dressing

1 t accent

1/2 t onion salt

1/2 t oregano

1/2 t garlic salt

1/2 t basil

1/2 t season salt

1 t season pepper

1 1/2 c broth from roast

Cook roast for 7 hours on low, remove roast, shred, add spices and put all back into the broth In the crock pot simmer for 1 hour

Five Step Daily House Clean

hosted by we are that family

Here is my fast and easy 5 step Daily House Clean:

1. make the beds, this is easy right after the teens get up remind them to make their beds and I also make mine (remember once a week let the mattress air)


2. dirty clothes all gathered and ready for laundry then walk the room for trash and dirty dishes, after that quick straightning of rooms last of all sweep the floors if needed


3. morning dishes and kitchen counters and cabinets


4. put all dishes away making sure all cabinets are neat so doors will shut


5. bathroom quick clean

Most days I do other things but these are my steps in a quick clean up

The Letter of the Day is J = Jesus

Today the letter of the day in the ABC Wednesday is J.....

hosted here this week

J is for Jesus who gave up his life so we may have eternal life. For all those that believe in him should live with him forever. That is such a great promise and one that I am so thankful for. Praise God that he gave is son to atone for our sins for without him we would be deemed to a bad place to dwell forever and ever. Thank you Jesus for giving your life so that we may all live eternally with him in heaven

Wordless Wednesday: Taking it all in

during a recent ball game in the back yard our dog just seemed to be a fan taking it all in.

shared at happily blended

Cartoon Glasses

We love cartoon glasses, rather hubby loves them and I get to clean and keep up with them. This is a great collection of glasses that I would love to have just look at the great colors. This is the peter pan collection. These I have never seen but will be keeping my eyes open for them. What do you think?

Baby Bunch Easter Nest giveaway

I so love the beautiful products that The Baby Bunch makes. Simply splendid for mom and all those around. The Baby Bunch provides that gift that the baby and mom both can appreciate. The beauty involved pleases the eye and the baby item will tend to the babies needs. Recently I shared a review of the Baby Bunch Bouquet here with a giveaway. Now The Baby Bunch has reached out and offered a new product as a giveaway, this one to help celebrate Easter.

The Baby Bunch creates the perfect shower and baby presents that are both beautiful and practical. The Baby Egg Nest is a clever gift for the new mom and baby. The little baby socks are organic, sized to fit infants 0 to 6 months or up to 16 lbs and are rolled up to resemble little bird eggs. With the nest is a handcrafted scented bird sachet and are posed over the eggs in a natural nest. The precious little set comes in two colors pink for girls and blue for boys, perfect for baby shower gifts.

To enter this giveaway you must visit the Baby Bunch website and tell me another product that you find interesting

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• subscribe to Baby Bunch newsletter
• subscribe to my blog
• follow me on twitter
• follow baby bunch on twitter
• tweet the giveaway (1 entry per tweet) leave link in comment
• blog about the giveaway (5 entries) leave link in comment
• comment on any post (1 entry per comment)

Giveaway starts now and runs through April 4, 2010. Good Luck Email must be on comment or or on blog This giveaway open to U.S. readers only

$5 dinner challenge : Salisbury Steak & Mushroom Gravy

This recipe comes from a home town cookbook. I hope you enjoy as much as we do I am sharing it on the blog $5 dinner

Salisbury Steak & Mushroom Gravy

lb hamburger ($1.65)

1 egg (.12)

1/2 c biscuit mix (in pantry)

1/8 t pepper ( in pantry)

1 T oil ( in pantry)

1 onion, sliced (.25)

1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms, drained ($1)

12 oz jar beef gravy ($1.50)

Mix meat, egg, 1/4 c biscuit mix and the pepper. With wet hands, shape beef mix into 6 oval patties, 1/2 inch thick Coat patties with 1.5 c biscuit mix Heat oil over medium heat Arrange patties in a single layer in skillet. Add onions slices around and on top of patties. Cook 15 minutes Turn patties once and stirring onions occasionally til meat is done Spoon fat from skillet. Add mushrooms and gravy to skillet. Turn patties to coat with gravy heat to boiling.

Tackle It Tuesday: Washing Bed Linens

hosted by 5 minutes for mom

Today I will be washing bed linens. We do this once a week because (1) fresh sheets always feel great and (2) helps cut down on allergies in our house. We have 2 sets of sheets for our beds this allows us to rotate sheets and the beds are made whenever we are not in them. However on bed changing day we do let the bed air a few hours before putting clean sheets on. It normally does not take a full cycle of my dryer to completly dry linens. It is best if you take the linens direclty out of the dryer and fold them right away this cuts down on wrinkles. However, if the sheets do wrinkle one great way to get them out is to dry the linens with a wet sock or washcloth for 10 minutes. Taking care of your bed sheets and linens will help you to get a more fully rested sleep. In the summer time I love to hang my bed linens outside on the line they come in smelling so great.

Cooking Veggies Tips

It is that time of year where the wonderful veggies can be grown in the garden. Veggies of course are cooked year round and are even canned but here are a few tips when cooking those veggies

Cauliflower:
to keep cauliflower white while cooking, add a little milk to the water

Corn:
instead of adding salt to the corn when cooking add a bit of sugar, while the salt will harden the kernels the sugar will soften or keep them soft

Cabbage:
to absorb the order of cooking cabbage place a small tin cup or can half full of vinegar on the stove near the cabbage.

Potatoes:
to bake faster soak in cold water for 20 minutes

Let raw potatoes stand in cold water for at least a 1/2 hour before frying then dry before adding to oil This will help improve the crispness of the french fried potatoes.

for more kitchen tips you can visit Tammy's Recipe

A different way to have your ham and beans

Find Tempting To your Tummy recipes on the blog Blessed With Grace

Barbecued Ham

2 lbs deli ham, thinly sliced
1 c water
1 c catsup
1/4 c brown sugar, packed
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
2 T white vinegar
2 T prepared mustard

Place the ham in greased 3 qt slow cooker. In a bowl, mix water, catsup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and mustard: pour over ham and stir well Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or til heated through. Serve on buns Serves 12 with leftovers

Baked Bean Casserole

2 cans pork n beans
1 28 oz. barbq sauce
1 t liquid smoke
1 to 1 1/2 lb hamburger, brown, drain
1 onion, chop
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 T chop garlic
1/2 c brown sugar
1 green bell pepper, chop

Mix all Pour in crock pot and cook on low 4 to 5 hours.

Picture of Farm Life

Yes, we live in rural America where sites like this can be seen quite often. This is a picture of my friends son and his 4H projects. I thought it was perfect for Ruby Red Tuesday.