Giveaways!

Mommy PR is giving away a Warhol style 16x20 print from allpopart.com! So awesome. I've been salivating over those for a long time now! Hurry Ends Dec 30 at midnight.

Wordless Wednesday-Kaia is 3!

My camera is getting old and doesn't light the scene up very well anymore. *sigh* Here is my daughter on her third Birthday. Hopefully we will be having her party very soon

Eco Store Giveaway *CLOSED*

I previously wrote about Eco Store in a review I did of two of their products. Eco Store is now giving away a $25 gift card/credit for one winner to try out the products for themselves!

Win It!

One winner will receive a $25 credit to Eco Store to purchase their choice of product

Rules

Please tell me what you would purchase with your credit. Must be done in order to win. Please leave your email so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries

-follow me on blogger for one entry

-follow me on twitter @kaiasmommy for one entry

-tweet about this contest and leave a link here for one entry

Contest ends January 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM AZ time. US only.

Thanks to Eco Store for providing the winners item

Sprig Toys Review & Giveaway! *CLOSED*

My daughter and I had the chance to check out some toys from Sprig Toys and we're really excited to present this review and are lucky enough to offer one parent a toy for free!

These really fun toys are growing in popularity. A few months ago I hadn't even heard of Sprig and through another blogger, I saw these adorable little items and asked them if I could check them out too. Sprig Toys are a company based out of Colorado. They are made to be earth friendly and are simple, yet sturdy in their design. Their products are made of recycled Sprig wood which contains child friendly bits of recycled woods and plastic. They are not painted but, the wood itself is stained at times to achieve color. Sprig uses "safe pigments, keeping our toys free of soluble heavy metals, phthalates or endocrine disruptor's."

Taken from Sprig site:

"Sprig Toys, Inc., is an Eco-friendly company dedicated to making the best toys
the right way.
Inspired by our collective desire to keep kids active and the planet healthy, Team Sprig is dedicated to infusing creativity, smart design, quality manufacturing, earth-friendly materials, product satisfaction and responsible business practices into a superior line of fun, kid-powered toys.

We help make the world a better place and we get kids off the couch. Pretty cool, huh?"

My daughter just turned three and is definitely in that imagination and active mode. She likes to play with her dolls just as much as cars, etc. She really took to her Story Builders Barnyard toy! She helped me set up the fences, the barn, and the animals. She liked the fun illustrations and the little scene it made. It's made for 3 years and up but, is a little difficult to put together on their own at that age. A parent definitely needs to be involved and it should be done on a flat surface, not a carpet.(too hard to stand the characters up)

They also are featuring toys from their Adventure Series right now. the Adventure Series features non electronic and electronic toys that are full of fun and imagination. All of them feature a little adventure guide and themed items to match the adventure.

My Take

I really liked the simple, clean designs of the toys. I like that they use a child's imagination and very few battery powered items. I like that they are Eco friendly as well as child safe toys. The only thing that I didn't love is how many pieces the Story Builders set came with. It makes for more clean up. Otherwise, I really give this company a thumbs up for making toys that are educational and fun!

Buy It

You can buy Sprig Toys at http://www.sprigtoys.com/ and any other participating retailer

Win It

Sprig toys is very generously offering a Dolphin Explorer boat to one of my lucky readers! Please leave your email in your entry or a way for me to access it or I will choose another winner. You must follow the rules for the first entry or your entries will be invalid.

Rules

Please go to their site and tell me another favorite Sprig item, besides the ones listed in this review

Extra Entries

-Blog for 3 extra entries and leave the link here

-Follow me on twitter @kaiasmommy and leave one comment

-Follow me on blogger and leave on comment

Contest will end January 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM Arizona time. U.S. entries only please.
*thank you to Sprig Toys for providing the review and giveaway items*

You're Three Today

My darling, I cherish you like you will never know. Maybe when you're a mommy and you hold your dearest little one in your arms, then you'll know these depths.

I waited for you, for what seemed like an eternity. Wanting you, never knowing what soul God would bring into our lives. Feeling you move within me, not wanting to be pregnant, just wanting you in my life.

You came into the world, impatient, or maybe it was me? Early, perfect, and ready to meet us. You continue to amaze with your sweetness, empathy, compassion, love, smiles, and so much more. You're so wise already love. I truly believe the children we have are perfect for us. Sometimes we must bend and break down barriers within us to raise them but, they are a perfect will.

I see it already, you're often so much like me, a little more patient than I was but, not much. You're very particular, you're bossy, you're loving and gracious. Your imagination soars right now. I hope you never lose that power. It will get you through tough times, and can make a way for you in your career life whether you choose to be a mom, or a rocket scientist. It will keep the child in you.

I love your prayers, they're so utterly precious. I love your off key singing, your intensity when you concentrate. When you ask me to "snuggle" you, I try every time to take that moment.

You were and have been, a fulfillment of a promise. You aren't really mine but, His. I'm so thankful that I have this time with you. You have healed me in so many ways and you will always be my baby.

Always, Mama

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all blessings at this time and a VERY Happy New Year!

Eco Store Review

I recently got to review a couple of products from Eco Store, products made in New Zealand. I chose the Baby Wash and the Oxygen Whitening powder for laundry. I've been using them a few weeks now and wanted to share some thoughts.

Baby Wash

Aromatherapy wash made with all natural ingredients. I personally like the smell. It smells "natural" and plant derived which it is. It has a mild lather and rinses easily without leaving a film or residue. Currently, it's winter and we also live in the desert. This is the time when my daughters eczema flares. She gets patches on different spots on her body, she hasn't had any problems or reactions while using this wash. This wash isn't very moisturizing so at this point, it would be the only downside. It doesn't contain petrochemicals, laureth sulfates, popylene glycol, dyes, artificial perfumes, and no parabens. They do not test on animals, which is another wonderful benefit to their products.

As a mom, I like of course the fact that these artificial and harmful ingredients aren't in this baby wash. I also like that a little goes a long way.

Pure Oxygen Whitener

I received the whitener and the baby wash at the same time. I've been able to do multiple loads of laundry with this to get the full effect. This whitener is natural and made with mineral salts and plant ingredients derived from coconut and citrus. This product was developed to be a safer alternative to chlorine bleach. It's safe for septic also.

The directions ask you to dissolve first in warm water and then add to your wash to prevent it from reacting to the clothing too soon. I did that and added my washing powder. I noticed an immediate difference in my husbands white T shirts and socks. After a few more washes, the clothes are getting even brighter. Their claim that it works effectively and safely is true. I also like that this is incredibly economical.

Eco Store was voted New Zealand's "Sustainable Business Of The Year" in which they are very proud. They are dedicated to the environment and safety of the people using their products.

*thank you Eco Store for giving me the baby wash and oxygen whitener to try out*

Wordless Wednesday-Kaia And Her Cousins

Uprinting.com Post Card Giveaway!

Do you have something that a postcard could be perfect for? Do you have advertising for your small business needed? Do you want a creative way to send invitations, thank yous, or a holiday message?

Uprinting.com offers among many other items, postcards. They come in a variety of sizes, quantities, and paper types, and colors. The quality of their printing is impeccable, and it allows you creative control.

In order for you to try this out, Uprinting.com is offering a giveaway!

Buy It

Uprinting.com offers a number of choices at REASONABLE prices.

Win It

Uprinting is offering one of my lucky readers the chance to win 100 postcards! These will be 4x6, 14 pt. Card stock Gloss, and full color on both sides. Very nice.

Rules

Please tell me what you plan on doing with this amazing giveaway. What do you plan on putting on these postcards? Open to Everyone as you must pay your own shipping. Contest ends January 3, 2010 at 11:59 pm Arizona time.

Extra Entries

-tweet this contest and leave me the link for one extra entry

-follow me here on blogger for one extra entry

-follow me on Twitter @kaiasmommy for one extra entry

-blog about this for three extra entries(leave your link here)

*thank you Uprinting for providing the giveaway item and my review item*

Burlap and Blue $30 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Burlap and Blue $30 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

A Family Loss Due To Fire

As originally posted on Kristie's Notes...


At 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, an old friend of mine lost her home, her belongings, her husband, her 4 year old son and her 8 month old daughter to a fire. She was saved by a neighbor who put a ladder up to her bedroom window. Her 12 year old step daughter also made it out on her own. The neighbors tried to put a ladder up to the children's window, where their father was trying to save them, but were unable to due to the smoke and flames. The fire department was able to remove her husband and children from the home within 10 minutes of arriving, but as I already mentioned, it was too late.

I've been having a hard time keeping my eyes dry for the last couple days. I know her story and this isn't the first time I've cried for her. When we were in high school, I remember going to the funeral home for visitation for her mother who passed away. I cried again for her at her wedding where they had a rose and picture of her mother set up front with the thought that her mother was smiling down on her wedding from heaven. At those times I couldn't imagine going through life and getting married without my mom by my side. Now I couldn't imagine the rest of my life without my husband by my side and watching my children grow.

This friend, Amanda, is only 27 and has suffered unimaginable loss. She could use a lot of prayers right now and, because she has lost everything, she is in great need of financial support as well. I don't have a very large reach on my little blog, so I was hoping that some of you could help me spread the word by blogging about this as well.

Her work place has set up the 'Buckland Family Trust Fund' at the Eastern Michigan Bank, but they are also accepting donations, for those who cannot make it to the bank, at the following address:

Ullenbruch's Flower Shop
C/O Amanda Buckland
1839 Lapeer Ave
Port Huron, MI 48060


***Update: There is now a Paypal account set up to accept donations. You can reach the donation page by clicking on the button below. If this donation button doesn't work, please use the one at the top of my sidebar (upper left-hand corner of my blog).

Again, I know this time of year is super busy and times are tight, but if you can please help spread the word and/or send a donation-no matter how small, every little bit helps. Of course, if you don't have the means to help in either of those ways right now, prayers are greatly appreciated! :-)

Thank you to everyone who has expressed their condolences already and to those of you who have been praying for Amanda and her daughter. I will be sure to pass on your thoughts and prayers to Amanda when I see her at her family's funeral tomorrow. (Typing 'family funeral' is not easy! Phew!)

*I also want to send out a safety reminder to anyone who reads this. Make sure you have smoke detectors installed in your house and that you change the batteries twice a year. (The recommended times to change them is when you change yours clocks for daylight savings time.)

**If you would like to read more about this horrible tragedy, you can do so here.

New Giveaways-December 21

Bellazizza's is offering one very lucky winner a chance to win a Teutonia CUSTOM stroller, worth in the $1000 range. Ends January 31, 2010.

Daddy Forever is giving away an HP Touchsmart 600 computer!!! Isn't that amazing? HURRY ends December 23rd.

Away In A Manger-Casting Crowns

Wordless Wednesday-Cousins

I'm having trouble with my computer today so I pulled a pic where I could access. This is Kaia with her cousin Alexis last Thanksgiving. Kaia is still trying to hold her cousins which are nearly the same size as her now ha ha.

Growing Tree Toys Review

Growing Tree toys is one of those online stores that you calls you in and asks you to "stay awhile". With it's charming imaginative, unique and educational toys there's plenty to choose from!

I am at a point now where I like to buy educational toys for my daughter. I want more than just something to play with. I want something to spark her imagination, I want something that she can spend some quiet time doing, and I want something that's not going to take batteries or limit her play. Don't get me wrong, they do have Corolle dolls and a number of things that are traditional but, oh they have so much more.

Growing Tree has a number of name brand companies that are well known and high quality. Melissa and Doug, Kidcraft, plan toys, and Scientific Explorer are examples. We received a darling little Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake cookie set. My daughter flipped when she saw the "sprinkles" and decorations for the cookies. They are painted with yummy chocolate, sprinkles, vanilla, and swirls. The cookies, decorations, and spatulas are all painted wood. They are sturdy and have lasted through a few weeks already of "cookie baking". I love that these cookies are wooden, sturdy, and that they have Velcro to attach them to the decorations as well as to the pan itself. In the kit was also a hot pad, it's really adorable watching my almost three year old making cookies and mimicking her mama!

What I really liked

-shipping was fast

-working with them was easy and friendly

-selection of toys

-price range(there's plenty to choose from to make it affordable)

Thanks to growing tree toys for providing my daughter a Melissa and Doug cookie set to experience

Another Child With God

Please say some prayers for a Mother, Father, and Brother who are grieving the loss of their two year old boy.

There's been a sadness in my heart because with death, it can bring out the worst in people. So many people trying to shoot down someone grieving because they don't know if it's real or not. Sometimes I'm amazed at the lack of compassion and general mistrust human beings have anymore. And believe me I've seen some of the major "whoppers" of lies going around about children and death and disabilities. That DOES NOT mean everyone is lying. And, just in case they aren't, perhaps it would be wise to wait a bit before attacking.

I'm reminded of Romans 1:31 and II Timothy 3:3 that discusses such people and their lack of "natural affection" toward others. Regardless of who this family is, or what they represent, an innocent died in a horrific accident and he will be forever missed.

Please also pray for those that have chosen this day to be cruel to this family.

Rest sweet angel, Bryson Drago Ross (photo courtesy of twitpic @Military_Mom)

Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Come On 2010!

Without going into too much detail or sounding like a whiny brat, I'm just gonna say I'm SO ready for the new year. More than I have been in a very long time! The year started off pretty much the same. Lots of hope, watching my daughter be a two year old, and planning on buying a new home.

Midway through the year, things came crashing around me and have steadily done so. There's gonna be some "clean up" time required. I'm OK with that. I'm trying to see where God wants me to be. That's always important!

I'm thankful for what I have, and try everyday not to forget it. I haven't been much into the Christmas spirit this year, as a matter of fact, I've spent so much time with everything else that it has crept on me like no other!

My little girl is going to be three, December 26Th. Her precocious and charming little self is keeping me busy too. Life is moving on. I think many people are getting a "cleansing" so to speak of their physical, emotional, and spiritual lives. It's not always fun. Relationships with key people are changing too. That's not always fun!

My hope for the new year coming is that my relationships are stronger with everyone, primarily my God. That my home comes together more cohesively, since we are going to be in it for awhile. That our financial state gets better(who doesn't?), and that we are blessed with one more child to complete our family.

Do you look forward to the new year?

My Little Sister Evelyn Smock GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

My Little Sister Evelyn Smock GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Peppermint Stick Holiday Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

Peppermint Stick Holiday Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

New Giveaways-December 12-20

Mrs Deal Finder is giving away and awesome Kitchenaid Stand Mixer!!! Ends Dec 16

Double Bugs is giving away a Wii Fit Plus!-Hurry ends today December 12th

Little Stomaks is offering a $50 Target gift card as a giveaway to promote her new ebook "Expert Nutrition Tips For Your Toddler". Go check out the excerpts of the book and enter.- Ends Dec 17.

Pink And Posh is giving away a HP TouchSmart 600 desktop computer with windows 7-HURRY ends Dec 18

Wordless Wednesday-First Christmas

My mom bought Kaia a doll just about the same size as her, and I laughed. This and some other video is when we first opened it and turned it on. She was so concerned about the baby when it cried. It's hard to see her expressions because it was shot in the apartment and it was dark. Still cute though

Making Tuesday Tasty-Pumpkin roll

This is Libby's pumpkin roll recipe. It's really super yummy and I make it for my Mother in Law every holiday season! She loves it. I don't add the nuts and have tried it just cream cheese. It didn't really work. You need the butter to hold things together. Comes out really moist.

CAKE

•1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
•3/4 cup all-purpose flour
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•3 large eggs
•1 cup granulated sugar
•2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
•1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

FILLING

•1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
•1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
•6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
conversion calculator DirectionsFOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COOKING TIP:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Libby's recipes

Safety Tat Review

Safety Tat's are another invention brought on out of necessity. A Mother, Michele Welsh, was concerned for her children while going to an amusement park. She decided to write her phone number on each child as a safety precaution. She became frustrated that she had to re-write the numbers over the course of the day and a few times she was stopped and asked if her children had her phone number on them, and that day an invention was born.


I had a chance to check out both the standard temporary Safety Tat tattoos as well as their newer type, which is the Quick Stick. I was intrigued by the idea of the Safety Tat's purpose, and wanted to see what they were like. I was really impressed that I was able to get a pack of original Safety Tat's pre printed with my phone number. That means that I don't have hurry up and stick it on my daughter with the water, and then write my phone number down on each one.


The pack I received contained a permanent black ink marker, 18 safety tats, a few quick stick safety tats to check out, and a sticker. There are gender specific tats, allergy alerts, and multiple designs. The allergy alerts were genius. If you are going to have a sitter, or someone that isn't familiar with your child, they are a great way for them to know and remember. I think it would be a great idea to even add the medical alerts to their line for children with diabetes, etc.

My main thoughts

At first glance, I wasn't all that interested. After reviewing their site, thinking about the situations that I will be in that would require something like this product, I quickly jumped on the bandwagon. This is definitely a need regarding safety. The only downside is that these stick on really well. So well that the quick stick was pulling my daughter's skin a bit. It stuck like an amazingly sticky bandaid and she wasn't too pleased with my husband taking it off. As with normal temporary tattoos, these will be on for a few days.

Buy It

If you are interested in purchasing some safety tats soon, you may use this code offerd up by Safetytat.com. My readers will receive 10% off an order of $15 dollars or more.

Expires December 23, 2009

Code is case sensitive

RofaWBR

Winner-16x20 Rolled Canvas

My random.org winner for the Rolled canvas giveaway is....

Smart Cents Mom- I want to get a photo calender for my parents. Thanks!

skstigger at hotmail.com

Thanks to everyone that entered! And Congrats.

Melanie

*thank you to online poster printing for providing the rolled canvas*

New Giveaways!

Madsen Urban Utility Bikes is giving away a bike EVERY week! Been doing it since August. Click on the link and check them out


Kailani over at Island Life is giving away a $250 Visa gift card!!! Ends Dec 8!

The Mom Reviews is giving away a gorgeous white pearl necklace. go check it out! Ends Dec 11

Penny Pinching Diva is giving away a Bumbleride Indie twin stroller! Ends Dec 16

My DFW Mommy is giving away a $100 Shopathome gift card.-Ends Dec 8

The Mom Buzz is having a giveaway right now for a Jones NY pashmina-Ends Dec 24

Avon Specials For Campaign 26

I am an Independent Avon Sales Representative. Please let me know how I can help you! You can find me at http://mbreyer.avonrepresentative.com.

OK, it's almost Christmas and the end of the year. Do you have a special holiday you celebrate? Do you have a December Birthday or three? Check out all the goodies in this campaign. I will highlight some of them here. Just remember, you can go to my site and order. You can have it shipped DIRECTLY to your home with me as a middle man. Your order ships out promptly and you pay Avon direct. Easy peasy! Take advantage of the end of year sales going on for all of your makeup, skincare, haircare, etc. Free shipping offers are also out there and on the website. Please get your orders in soon! December 11 is the end of my campaign period. If you have it shipped directly, it will ship usually by next day of your order.

My faves from this campaign!

A Cuddle Pillow-I am getting one of these for my girl! They are so cute and there's options to choose from. (wonder pets, Dora, Boots, Sponge Bob, Elmo, and Cookie Monster) $19.99

All liiv botanicals your choice 50% off!(skin care, scents, body wash, body butter)

ANEW Clinical-Advanced Wrinkle Corrector is now $22.(regular price is $32)

Also...you can buy one get one for $5 on select items!!!

Did you know? You can order trial sizes of our most popular ANEW products???

ANEW Rejuvenate is offering Any 2 for $38. Mix and match style.

ANEW Alternative eye cream is just $15.(reduce dark circles, start to fade in 7 days)

****************************GIFT BASKET, only $1 with $20 beauty purchase************

ANEW anti aging makeup is on sale.(lipstick, eye lifting serum, smoothing eye liner, foundation, and smoothing duo)

Holiday Brights makeup!! Gorgeous shadows and eye liners to show your spirit of the occasion. Will perk up the dull winter too! On sale

Beauty Gifts!!!

Want to get something special for HER? Check out these gift sets.

6-piece holiday luxuries set-($100 value) Only $24.99 with $10 beauty purchase

In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon gift set-A $64 value. Only $39

In Bloom limited edition Parfum-$59

mark on the case holiday gift set-(More than $50 value!) $26

mark glitz and gloss Mini purse & go-$12.50

mark Holiday Treats Mini Juice Gems Squeeze On Lip Gloss-All boxed up! $12

*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*Makeup*

U by Ungaro scent collection as well as NEW eye shadows

FOR HIM

Patrick Dempsey-New scent is Patrick Dempsey 2. He also has one released last year called Unscripted. Both are masculine and heavenly, ladies!

Derek Jeter-Driven scent items.(a little citrus, mossy, and spice blend)

Gifts Under $5

Gifts Under $10

Gifts Under $20

Melanie Breyer

Independent Sales Representative

http://mbreyer.avonrepresentative.com/

Happy Holidays!!!!!

Nico And Zoe-Review

I had a chance to review Nico & Zoe, an online children's store filled with whimsical and educational toys for children. The layout of the shop is easy to navigate, there are categories such as Toys Made In USA, pretend, plush items, etc.

I personally had the chance to review a Rubbabu textured play ball with my two year old. It's small, easy to grip, and bounces really well. I like that it had the feel of velvet and had texture to allow easy grip for small hands.

When roaming through the pages of the store, I get the feeling that each and every one of these items has been lovingly chosen for the children they're selling to. Almost as if they can see the child playing with the item. I absolutely love the fact that these toys are imagination moving, often brightly colored, and that they use artisan products in their mix!

Their tag line is "uncommon and artisan made toys". I like that most of these are simple, and often educational. In a time when toys have all the literal bells and whistles you can stand, I am drawn to the more educational and imagination teaching toys for my almost three year old. She is at a critical stage where imagination is growing and thriving and needs to be nurtured.

I would say, if you're looking for something special, if you're interested in promoting handmade, if you're interested in toys made in the USA, or if you're interested in fostering your child's imagination go to Nico & Zoe and look around. You may find something to fall in love with.

*this is not a paid post, thank you Nico & Zoe for allowing my child to review a Rubbabu ball

Food Service Warehouse Giveaway!

Food Service Warehouse is trying to help you decorate your holiday table in style with a Holiday Dinnerware Giveaway. This is a $600 value! I'm hoping I win but, if I don't hopefully someone I know in blog land will.

Winner-Kids Wearhouse

My random.org winner is....

daizee November 17, 2009 7:37 AM 3 I follow you on blogger.

Congrats!

An email has been sent, thanks to all that entered my giveaway. You have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Melanie

Thanks to Kidswearhouse.net for providing the $50 credit

Wordless Wednesday-Second Christmas

I'm going to do a video this time. This was her 2nd Christmas, a day before her 2nd Birthday. We had given her most of her presents on Christmas eve, we saved her a couple for the morning.

Making Tuesday Tasty-Peppermint Bark

Yay! It's December. My question now is, how did this creep up so fast? I'm not ready! My little girl is going to be 3 December 26Th and I'm definitely not ready for that either. I do love this time of year. I am a sucker for the goodies both salty and sweet. I love mint and chocolate, and spices and cider. Yum.

Here's my first recipe. Minty and chocolately! mmm

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients

12 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped

24 hard peppermint candies

Directions

Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat or in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Be careful not to scorch the chocolate.

Place the peppermints in a resealable food storage bag and, using a rolling pin, tap the candies to break into small pieces. Place the crushed candies into a strainer with medium holes and shake over another bowl - only the very large pieces should remain in the strainer. Add the melted chocolate to the small pieces and stir to combine.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and pour the chocolate-candy mixture onto the paper. Using a rubber spatula, spread smooth to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Press the large peppermint pieces onto the top of the mixture and transfer to a refrigerator to firm.

When firm, break the bark into bite-size pieces and place in an attractive serving bowl or package in airtight containers to give as gifts. Serve at room temperature.

This is best refrigerated if kept for any length of time.

thank you to Food network for the photo and thank you Emeril Lagasse for the recipe.

Winner-Oompa toys giveaway!

My random.org winner for the Oompa giveaway is...

Niecey I love the wooden breakfast play set. My kids would have fun with it.

Congrats! Thanks to all who entered my giveaway. An email has been sent and you have 48 hours to respond.

Melanie

*thanks to oompa for providing the toy*