A Fabulosity of Giveaways and Reviews

Freezing Celery without blanching

2011-07-18T02:28:00.000-05:00

Yay for being able to freeze celery! We had a big garden party and I bought a big bunch of celery for a salad - and ended up only needing 2 stalks, leave around 8-10 that would have gone bad. I washed them, chopped them, put them in a freezer bag and froze them! They'll come in handy whenever I need something for soup - and I was so happy not to have to blanch them!

Fun and Easy Decorating Project

2011-06-30T16:02:00.002-05:00

We’ve been in our new (to us) house here in Germany almost a year, and I’m finally starting to get to some of the decorating projects that I’ve had in the back of my brain. My husband just shakes his head when I start a new project, but he bears with me! Soooo… Here’s the latest!

1. Collect myriads of different size and shapes wooden frames (second hand stores, yards sales, and closeout sales).

2. Choose a color (for me dark blue). While we were visiting my parents in the USA we picked up some small Benjamin Moore paint samples with a free coupon I got from Money Saving Mom.

3. Take the frames apart.

4. Sand them down (just a little) , and paint them (mine needed two coats of paint).

5. Insert your pictures, and hang ‘em up! I really like how using the identical color for all of the frames unified all of the walls of my upstairs landing.

My children LOVE the hallway now, often stopping to look at the pictures and point out the people they know. When my little guy saw it for the first time he got so excited that he came running to me, threw his arms around me, and said “thank you Mama!!!”

Write that down!

2011-06-27T01:30:00.000-05:00

I'm realizing how fast my babies are growing up. My big boy is almost 4, and says the funniest things. Someday I'll be so happy that I wrote these down. Because as sweet and as cute as they are, this mommy brain just isn't going to be remembering them. Precious memories.

Big brother: I have a broken leg Mama. (Said very calmly)

Me: You have a broken leg!?

Big brother: MmmmHmmm

Me: I’m sorry to hear that, where is it broken?

Big brother: Here, and here, and here. (Showing me scratches from industrious play outdoors).

————————————————————————

Big brother came to wake me up from naptime, and began telling me all about…

Big brother: ”A Hitte (little – not German, just how he pronouces little) owl in our house Mama. And it has a hitte eye. And Papa stepped on it. And now it is Tod! (dead)”

I was still a bit disoriented and had to ask “what was in our house?”

Big Brother: A hitte owl! EULE Mama! (Owl in German)

Want to see it Mama? Come, I show you.

So I dragged myself out of bed and followed him.

He excitedly pointed to something very small at the foot of the bed, and upon closer inspection I discovered the “owl that Papa had stepped on”.

It was a moth. Grin.

My pet peeve...

2011-06-23T17:28:00.000-05:00

Going onto a recipe site to try to find a bang-up new cake recipe, and find that most of the cake recipes have as the first two ingredients:
1. cake mix
2. pudding mix

What ever happened to the concept of making things from scratch. The frustration is also because I happen to be in Germany, where the yellow cake mixes and instant vanilla pudding mixes aren't necessarily transferable... Sigh.

Free Walgreens Brag Photo Album!

2011-06-23T12:13:00.001-05:00

I know what I'm going to be making for my mom for her birthday next month!

Use the code BRAG through June 25, for a free photo album!
Shipping will apply!

Pink O Patch Creations Hair bows and Legwarmers Giveaway!

2011-06-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Pink O Patch Creations has got a good thing going. This Oregon mommy stays busy juggling 2 little ones, side business, and college, but you wouldn't know it to look at her beautiful work.

First off, check out these leg-warmers! These are such a cute idea. We have cold winters and I'm going to be putting these to use under my little girl's skirts. She can walk now, but back when she was crawling I was constantly wishing for something like this to take the wear and tear off of her pants, and also to provide an extra layer of cushion for her little knees. Aren't they chic? Almost want some for me!

I personally have a weakness for korker bows. I've tried my hand at making bows recently, and my personal opinion is that the korkers are more complicated to make. You need more materials, and you actually have to cook the ribbon to make it maintain that corkscrew shape. But, (also my opinion) they are some of the cutest little bows out there. I love that you can incorporate lots of different colors or shades. Alisha actually incorporates different sizes of korkers too for an extra bang. Her bows are such pretty (downright artistic) color combinations and good quality. Check them out for yourself!

This is not part of the giveaway, but Alisha has recently started making these little bibs. I've said in the past, my pet peeve on bibs are ones that are only one layer with a Velcro fastener. These have THREE layers and a snap to fasten with. I love these bibs! I would say that they're more appropriate for small children than toddlers. It's hard to see in the picture, but she's got some fancy stitching going on here that is SO pretty!

AND, you have the chance to win a pair of legwarmers of your choice and a pair of korker bows (matching or different)! Just go to Alisha's great little shop - Pink O Patch Creations - and tell me your Number 1, all time favorite product that she's got on there!

AND, she has a sale going on until July 4 - 20% off with the code GIVEAWAY20 (not applicable to shipping)

The giveaway will end on Monday, July 4th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail.

Open to USA residents!

Pink O Patch on Facebook!

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Birthday Cakes for my children

2011-06-20T03:17:00.000-05:00

My children both have birthdays the next two months - little sister in July and big brother in August. SO, I've started thinking about what to do for little sister's birthday cake. She LOVES horses, so I think I'm going to go with that - and I found a GREAT video tutorial and instructions with template at Betty Crocker.

They have lots of different tutorials for children's cakes, so I have a feeling I'll be going back there often!

1	box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow or devil’s food cake mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1	container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
	Red liquid food color
1	container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting
	Tray or cardboard (20x15 inches), covered with waxed paper or foil
1	small round chocolate-covered creamy mint

1Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, using water, oil and eggs. Cool 10 minutes; remove cakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate or freeze cakes 1 hour until firm.
2Meanwhile, in small bowl, tint 1/4 cup vanilla frosting with red food color to make pink; place in resealable food-storage plastic freezer bag. Place 1/2 cup chocolate frosting in another resealable food-storage plastic freezer bag. Cut small tip off 1 bottom corner of each bag. In medium bowl, stir together remaining vanilla frosting and chocolate frosting to make light brown frosting.
3Using serrated knife, cut off rounded portion of top of each cake to make level. Turn cakes cut sides down. Cut cakes as shown in template. On tray, arrange cake pieces as shown in template, attaching pieces to each other and to tray with small amount of light brown frosting. To “crumb-coat” cake, spread thin layer of light brown frosting over entire cake to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze cake 30 to 60 minutes.
4Frost entire cake with light brown frosting. With pink frosting, pipe on blanket; spread with metal spatula to make smooth. With darker chocolate frosting, pipe number on blanket. Pipe on hooves; spread to make smooth. Pipe on mane and tail, leaving in long strands to look like hair. Attach mint for eye.

Thank you Betty Crocker!!!

Enjoying the simple things...

2011-06-16T07:58:00.000-05:00

God’s been teaching me a lot about just sitting back and appreciating the small things of life that He’s given. There are certainly lots of really big things, but I tend to focus on those (which is ok), and not even notice the myriads of small things.

1. I am enjoying my children learning to talk. They say the sweetest things that make me just melt. I’m trying to savor these quickly passing years while they are small. Because once they can talk like the big people, I’ll miss those precious little things they think up. A couple of examples right off of the top of my head:

My big boy:

We were at a playground swinging on the swing. I was pushing my big boy and he was encouraging me to push him so high. “Higher Mama! Ich möchte SOOOOOO hoch gehen! (I want to go SOOOOOOO high). I want you to push me so high to God! I want to swing so high to where God is Mama!”

He had just woken up in the morning and he gave me a big hug and said, “I love Mama so much! I be a good boy today and obey Mama. I love God so much too and obey God too Mama. God say ‘children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right’.”

2. My children in how they relate to one another.

My little girl: although she echoes what we say a lot her big word these days is “NO!” And it drives her big brother crazy. Literally. He’ll tell me that he wants a drink and little sister promptly says “NO!” He says “Yes!” and of course she says “No!” and it goes on and on until one of us tells them to stop. Then he’s so frustrated and asks, “why (my sister) say ‘no’ Mama?” The funny thing is (although I can’t smile about it), she does it for just about everything he says. So they have definitely entered the phase where there’s a lot of fighting going on. And although I don’t enjoy the fighting part of it, I find it so neat how they relate to each other.

Even though they fight big brother is VERY protective of little sister, and comforts her whenever she’s scared outside about something. He talks to her in a soothing voice and pats her shoulder/ holds her hand to make her happy. Funny thing is it usually works a lot better than when I do those things. They just have a special relationship somehow.

3. Our strawberries, cherries, and currants

I love it when the children go out several times a day to the garden to pick the ripe fruit. Not much makes it indoors, and their mouths are usually very red from the goodies they found. Delightful.

4. Mozart

A few years back my sweet hubby bought the complete works of Mozart (my favorite composer) for me. Nothing is so soothing…

5. A portable ironing board and hanging the clothes up to dry

There is just something therapeutic about hanging the clothes out to dry and ironing outside while the children play underfoot.

6. Barefeet

Again, it’s just downright therapeutic.

7. Apfelschorle – this is a drink in Germany that I just love. You can get it cheap and it’s not super sweet, but it is VERY refreshing. It’s basically an Apple Juice and Carbonated Water mix with no extra sugar added. Add that to a couple of hours refrigeration on warm summer days, and I’m addicted.

8. Friends – this is actually one of the big things, but God has given us so many really precious friends. Here’s my big boy with one of his best buds. We are so happy that he has this little friend in our church and play date group.

9. Family – ok I’m getting into the big things again. But really, we have such a great relationship with all of our family on both sides of the ocean, and I’m SOOOOOOO THANKFUL for them! Love you guys!!!

10. Fly swatters – there’s a cow farm next door, and without screen doors we get way too many flies in the house. After last summer we stuck our fly swatters somewhere and I have NOT been able to find them! We’ve been squishing the flies with our hands! How disgusting is that!? So I finally broke down and bought EIGHT new fly swatters, and have really and truly been enjoying not having to kill those flies with my hands.

That’s it for now. Somewhat random? OK, maybe so. But still things that God is showing me are special things from Him. I thank Him.

Paint accessories giveaway!

2011-06-15T15:04:00.002-05:00

Ever since we bought our beautiful 12 room house last year I've had a list of things I'd like to decorate inside, and most of it involves painting. With all that painting to do I was pretty excited to find out about Bergcom - a great company that makes life a LOT easier for anybody with some paint projects going on. I really love that this is a family company with a neat story. It all started with an improvised can.

Now they're producing these!

What is really ingenious are the liners - they just simplify the whole clean-up, which to me is about the worst part. I won't confess how many times I've opted to just toss my paint supplies rather than go to the effort and mess of trying to clean them.

I got to try out Bergcom's Hand Paint Tray and Liner, and wowsers. Why didn't someone think of this sooner!? Their motto is "Painting Just Got Easier", and it's really true. I'm hooked!

Bergcom is SO GRACIOUSLY giving a hand paint tray and liner to one of you guys! On June 27th I'll contact my randomly.org drawn winner via email!

Fun Bib Giveaway!

2011-06-06T16:16:00.001-05:00

OK, anyone with kids like mine know that you can't have too many GOOD bibs. GOOD in all caps, because BAD bibs are a dime a dozen. I've had to add too many cute little shirts to the "around the house" pile because of a bad bib. The way I see it, it's all about math. Bad bib + small child = irremovable stains

All right, fine - so it's an extreme example...

Below would be an example of a "bad" bib. Or at least insufficient, definitely on the small side for a toddler... Notice aforementioned stains. But if the main bib is in the wash, then better too small than nothing. But best would be to have a couple of "main" ones, rather than just having one good bib.

WELL, Nivette over at LoveDoveDesigns has gone and solved the wrong-size bib problem. She's got two sizes going, one for toddlers and one for babys. Now why didn't I think of that? (Grin) I got to review one that she picked out for me, and was very pleased with the workmanship. A pet peeve of mine is velcrow fastened bibs. What child is not able to pull those off, often succeeding in scratching the back of their necks? I mean, really... OK, AND, another pet peeve is one layer bibs. I'm sorry, but once my children make the transition from nursing/ bottles to eating, the bibs MUST have more than one layer! Nivette's have three layers! Wow. Very plush.

Below: Plush Toddler Bib

Below: Plush Baby Bib

SO, want to win one for you!? These great bibs are definitely worth the easy entry chance.
On June 20th I'll contact my randomly.org drawn winner via email!
Open to USA residents!

Nivette, my children's shirts say thank you!

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Time for Bed Sleepyheads - children's book review

2011-06-01T02:50:00.000-05:00

I've promised to do favorite book reviews along and along, and so here's one for ya! This is my children's very favorite bedtime book. Special fact of the day: the copy we read from every night somehow survived my childhood. This was also my favorite bedtime story as a child. My little boy has recently had trouble sleeping all alone in his room, so after reading this book to him at bedtime he has gotten to choose which page he wants it opened to. We lay it down on the floor by his bed, and he goes to sleep looking at that page. He loves it, and he isn't so unsettled at bedtime now.
Description: this follows the activities of nine woodland creatures as they get ready for bed.
I'm pretty sure it's out of print, so would suggest checking out the library or trying to find it used on abebooks.com or amazon

Happy Reading!

"You may have tangible wealth untold. / Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. / Richer than I you can never be – / I had a mother who read to me."

— Strickland Gillilan

Stride Panties Giveaway

2011-05-31T06:40:00.003-05:00

As a young mother having had 2 children within 2 years, I was thrilled when I found this company with Mommy-friendly panties. They are so comfortable, discreet, and washable! I love them. I didn't even know something like this existed!

Stride Everyday was begun by Wendy Spencer. A normal Canadian woman with a light bulb idea.

Super cool that Stride has her story and picture on their website.

PANTIES WITH LIGHT LEAK PROTECTION

STRIDE Everyday is a breakthrough in fashionable women’s underwear and feminine hygiene! Their innovative 2-in-1 solution keeps you dry with its patented absorbency technology sewn right into the gusset – replacing the need to use disposable pantiliners! The sewn in protection is so thin and comfortable you won’t even know it’s there, and neither will anyone else.

PATENTED ABSORBENCY TECHNOLOGY

ADVANTAGES & FEATURES

• Keeps you dry and comfortable – every day!

• Machine washable

• Anti-microbial – combats odors , naturally deodorizes

• Variety of fashionable styles and sizes

• High quality design and premium fabrication

• Convenient – just wear and go

• Breathable

• Super thin built-in pantiliner feels barely there

• Cost saving over time because they’re non-disposable

• Holds up to 1 ounce of moisture throughout the day

SO, we're having a giveaway of one pair of Stride Panties of the winner's choice! The giveaway will end on Monday, June 13th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail.

Open to USA and CANADA!

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Making hair bows myself!

2011-05-27T01:42:00.000-05:00

With an almost 2 yr. old little princess and the prices of hair bows for aforementioned little princess I've decided to try my hand at making them! I am finding that I do not indeed need some sort of degree in something home ec.ish (new word) to do this! I've found some great resources that have simple and clear instructions. And the supplies are minimal and very cheap.

I wanted to share some of the instructions should any of my readers care to make a go of it as well.
My two very favorite free hair bow making instructions are:
1. The Ribbon Retreat has free pictured instructions for the cutest bows ever - don't miss the bug bows instructions!

2.Hair hardware has some excellent videos as well as pictured instructions that make it so easy to make some really nice basic bows. (Scroll to the very bottom of their page for all of the free instructions links).

A couple of other good sites for bow instructions - all free!

Girly Things has a good list of free instruction links at the top of their page
Make Hair Bows has pictured instructions for some basic hair bows
Bows for best friends has a great article for beginners on the different ribbons

I've just started doing this, and so wanted to share it all while it's fresh on my mind! Here's my sweetie wearing the first bow I just made her!

Personalized Backpack Giveaway!

2011-05-23T18:26:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago this DARLING little backpack came in the mail for my little girl!

Her name was beautifully stitched on it, like in the picture below.

I took it to church with all of her little items she needs for nursery, and the nursery workers wanted to know WHERE I got that bag! (I need to be sure to tell them about this giveaway, huh!?) :)

OK, first my review. You want quality, personalized, cute, convenient, and washable? Then you really need to check out Needies and enter this giveaway! This little bag is draw-string, and just the right size for a couple of diapers, small package of wipes, bottle, pacifier, and small doll. (I know, because that's what now goes into ours!)

Nita has little backpacks for the girls AND guys. If my little guy didn't already have a backpack then I would have had a seriously hard time trying to decide between the one we got and this cute monkey backpack!

AND, you have the chance to win one! Just go to Anita's great little shop - Needies and tell me your Number 1, all time favorite product that she's got on there!

AND, she has a sale going on until July 30 - 30% off with the code FIREWORKS

The giveaway will end on Monday, June 6th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail.

Open to USA residents!

We're back!!!

2011-05-22T23:40:00.000-05:00

We've been out of the country on a 3 week vacation. I had ambitiously planned to continue my giveaways and reviews while we were gone, but due to our travels and internet problems, ahem. Let's just say I was forced to take an unwanted break.

SO, in all fairness to the companies of the last giveaways I'm starting over with those giveaways because I just wasn't able to fairly advertise their giveaways as they deserve. Everyone who has already entered those giveaways will stay entered, but as of today I'm reopening these giveaways for 2 weeks.

Sorry for the long and unexplained silence. But we're hopefully now back on track!

Here's a family picture we FINALLY had made while on vacation! Finally, because this is the first one we've done since sweet little girl was born 2 years ago!

How about a little personalization!? Wooden Letter Giveaway!

2011-04-26T14:29:00.005-05:00

Ever since he was a little ol’ thing, our little boy has been ENTHRALLED with animals. The latest manifestation of this is in his attire. When I put a shirt on him with stripes (doesn’t matter what color the stripes are) he is a zebra on that day. He looks down at his shirt and says “Me a zebra Mama!” When I put a white shirt on him he’s an “ice bear”. Not too long ago I pulled a green shirt on him and didn’t think anything about it. I told him to run get his house shoes from the next room so that his feet wouldn’t get cold. He immediately dropped to the floor and began wiggling in the direction of his house shoes. I asked him what in the world he was doing and he said cheerfully, “crocodile Mama!” He wiggled and slithered his way into the other room, picked up his house shoes with his teeth, and slithered on the floor back to me. It took him long enough that I was able to grab a camera and take a picture. (smile)

So his delight was great when for Easter he opened up the wooden letters of his name complete with a different animal on each letter! They are now firmly affixed to his door - and those bright and happy wooden letters just make the whole hallway fun and cheery.

Artiwood Wooden Letters is a fun and funky eco friendly wooden toy company based in Byron Bay

Australia

dedicated to the design and manufacturing of unique artistic wooden letters using child friendly non-toxic lead free paints. Their Wooden Letters make the perfect and affordable special personalised gift for both girls and boys. Check out their exciting range - there's something for all good little girls and boys - Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, friends children etc.
Their website is a unique, fun and interactive experience with amazing graphics that offers to the public a full range of wood letters featuring animal wooden letters, dolphin wooden letters, fairy wooden letters, dinosaur wooden letters and koala wooden letters. Their alphabet letters are used for spelling kids names and words on doors, walls and toy boxes etc and make the most perfect and affordable special gift for both girls and boys. Artiwood Wooden Letters are fast moving low priced items and their website has the facility for them to be purchased securely and have them posted to anywhere in the world. Kids love them and their unique wooden alphabet letters are fun and funky new products that are proving to be very popular.

Artiwood is currently offering 5 fun and funky designs –

Animal Park - Animals from A-Z. A for Ant, B for Bear, C for Crocodile etc.
Fairyland - Super cute fairies. Enchanting for the girls.
Dinosaur World - All the dinosaurs imaginable. Wonderful for the boys.
Dancing Dolphins - Playful Dolphins. A splash hit for all dolphin and marine lovers.
Koala Kids - Well who can resist a Koal

The exciting news is that one of my readers will win up to eight letters of their choice in any design!!! How happy is that!? The giveaway will end on Monday, June 6th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail.
Open worldwide!!!

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Baby, it's cold outside!!! Hat Shopping Spree Giveaway!

2011-04-18T02:02:00.005-05:00

This has a been a long and COLD winter. My parents and sisters came to visit us in Germany (we have a house in Germany - hubby's German) and because of a snowstorm got rerouted to a different airport, ended up with a rental car with malfunctioning GPS, and got to stop regularly for directions in German. Poor things. I warned them before they left that they needed the whole nine yards - gloves, scarves, hats, boots, etc. They brought them and were so glad. Then on the way back to the USA they landed in NC, only to hit another snowstorm and be stranded in a hotel. Poor things. It will probably be awhile before they have the courage to do a trip in the winter again.

A cold winter (my dad's taking the picture of us)

But at least they were warm, right?

Well, I found me a new friend, and she is a hat/ scarf making genius! I got to review one of her hats, and hope it'll hold up the next 20 yrs., 'cause I'm gonna be wearing it!
1. It's super cute (see pictures below)
2. It's super warm (you'll have to trust me on this one)
3. It's super soft (again, trust me)
4. It matches my favorite scarf perfectly

Now I just need to go get a coat to go with my beautiful hat/ scarf ensemble. I needed a new coat anyway. :)

I actually thought about giving this as a gift, but decided it really would be better for me to keep it. :) I know, I'm selfish - but it's just so stinking cute. and warm. and soft. and matches. Ahem. But I already said that.

SO, I'm excited about this giveaway. Wendy over at Spacerwoman is giving one of my readers any hat from her shop, regardless of price! AND she's got huge clearances going on in her shop as we speak... um, type- read. :)

The giveaway will end on Monday, June 6th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail. Open to USA Residents!

Spacerwoman on Facebook

Go to the library - or goodwill!!!

2011-04-14T15:35:00.001-05:00

I absolutely LOVE to read. In the last couple of years my taste has changed, or more accurately - developed. :) Yes, I'm talking about expansion to children's literature. I want my children to read the best - and lots of it. And there is so much trash and treasure to sort through. Not necessarily "problem" books - just inferior. The "treasure" books are always a great thing to put on wish lists for birthdays and Christmas. And then Grandpa and Grandma or other loved ones can make special memories by reading the little people those books they gave. I still have special books from my childhood (albeit a little worse for the weather) that are 10 times more precious because of a little note from the giver on the inside.

Don't pay full-price! With some exceptions, there is absolutely no need to go spend $20 at Barnes & Nobles for a children's book. You can find many treasures at the goodwill store ($.25 where my mom shops), that don't cost half of what they would new. If there's something specific you're wanting to read your child hit the library!

Collecting wonderful children's books has become a little hobby - and my mother ransacks the goodwill store regularly. We have shelves and shelves of children's books - and we READ THEM!

I hope to share some of my favorites here - along with any possible fun projects that can be combined with the books.

But three favorite authors/ artists for now:

1. Eric Carle - I haven't yet found a book of his that I don't like!
2. Margaret Wise Brown - famous for "Goodnight Moon", but she has lots of others
3. Peter Spier - with amazing detail many of his books are without text, letting the pictures tell the story. We love them.

In Deutschland: Die grosse Wimmelbuecher gucken meine Kinder IMMER sehr gerne an!

Reading a library book by Eric Carle with his German Oma
Ein Buch von Eric Carle aus dem Bibliothek wird mit seine deutsche Oma gelesen

Heiss, Hot, Heiss, Hot!!! (Blow blow blow) CLOSED

2011-04-11T07:35:00.002-05:00

Whenever I'm baking or cooking my children want to help, and (being the great mom that I am and all) I'm careful to warn them of high temperature dangers. The entire baking experience I hear them echo my warnings as if to remind themselves. It cracks me up - and my baby girl accompanies the words with vigorous blowing. I have to hide a smile every time. :)

When I got married my sweet little sister made me a really nice hot mitt - and I've used it and abused it for the last 6 years. It's my only mitt/ hotpad - usually I just grab a dish-towel to grab the other side of big pans - and have had the burns to prove it! Haha.

Weeeeeell... Not anymore! I found Ilse at ISoTotes! Her potholders and trivets aren't just 2 pieces of fabric with batting in the middle. She has an upgraded version - instead of just cotton batting it has cotton batting AND Insul-Bright batting (cool, I didn't even know something like that existed!), making it a little thicker and also heat resistant. And they are pretty!!! SO pretty! They look like little mini patchwork quilts. I love them! Stylish yet well-made and extremely useful - my poor little hands are thankful. :) I anticipate of many years of use and abuse for these new additions to my kitchen.

I was also really tickled to find out that she's out of the same corner of my German world.

SO, Ilse is giving away a $15 shopping spree towards any of her products to one of my readers! Yayness! Thank you Ilse!

The giveaway will end on Monday, April 25th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail. Open to USA Residents!

ISoTotes on Facebook!

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A little bit about me...

2011-04-09T17:42:00.000-05:00

I grew up in South Carolina, USA. I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, and have to say -

it's wonderful to be His child.

In 2005 I married my sweet husband and moved to Germany (my husband is German.) In 2007 God blessed us with our energetic happy little boy - keeps us laughing and very very busy. In 2009 our baby girl was born, and she keeps us all just entranced - we're biased, but she's pretty special. We commute as often as possible between the USA and Germany - my parents have a wing of their house always ready for us!

A few years ago I saw a beautiful painting on a friend's blog - it was of her children - done by an artist represented on ... ETSY! And that was the first time I'd ever heard of Etsy (and yes, I promptly ordered one of my children). But wow, little did I know - the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of amazing artists represented through these shops, and I want to discover them and share them here! More recently I've gotten into the world of reviews and giveaways, and really and truly am dedicated to companies and shops that I would buy from myself and recommend to my family and friends.

SO, thanks for stopping by, and I really hope you win something wonderful here!

3 Free Mother's Day Cards

2011-04-08T01:39:00.002-05:00

Tiny Prints has a great deal going - if you become a member you get 3 FREE (including shipping to individual US addresses) Mother's Day Cards plus one year free registration. You can unregister at any time (which I plan on doing as soon as my 3 free cards arrive). :)

I'm in Germany right now, so this was a perfect way to send a very personal (with our pictures in it) Mother's Day card to my mother and grandmothers.

Thank you to Heather at Passion for Savings for sharing this deal!

Great Pampers Program!

2011-04-07T01:37:00.003-05:00

I wanted to share a great (free) program with you all. Who hasn't heard of Pampers? Sign up here for their Pampers Program and start collecting POINTS! Which can be traded in for FREE things - not to mention lots of free samples that they send you along and along. (If any of you buy Pampers products, let me know the codes - see below where they can be found - and I'll post them here for everyone!)

CURRENT PAMPERS POINTS CODES

WELCOME2PAMPERS 50

CAREFORNEWBORNS 10
GTGCOUPONPOINTS 10
PAMPERS4MOMSOND 10
PAMPERSGTG10PTS 10
NEWWIPESPACKAGE 10
CONGRATS2NEWMOM 10
GTGWELCOME10PTS 10
PUNTOSPARAMI123 10
10PTSFREECODE4U 10
JOINNOW4REWARDS 50
SEP3PGW7NRKYWXK 10
WELCOME2VILLAGE 10
2BEGINEARNING50 50
GIFTSTOGROW4MOM 50
GETSTARTEDNOW10 10
PAMPERS4MOMJFM1 10
GTGREWARDS4MOMS 10

Paiges Pretty Bowtique Hairbow Giveaway CLOSED

2011-04-04T01:18:00.002-05:00

Almost 2 years ago God gave us our little princess girl. And she's all girl - smiles with delight at her reflection when she sees how pretty she is dressed up for Sunday morning church.

Her big brother is all boy - I could capitalize that - B.O.Y. Dirt, sticks, bugs, animals, you name it - YEP, probably been there, done that.
So 2 yrs. ago when we found we were getting a girl visions of pink and bows and flowers began dancing through my head. We've got the pink and we've got the flowers, but ironically she only has 4 small hair-bows that were "welcome to the world" gifts. So my New Year's Resolution for 2011 was to get the child some big, bad hair-bows. My husband is German and has been somewhat aghast at pictures I've shown him of just how big little girl's bows are these days - but as I told him - "it comes with the territory"! :)

So, I found Michelle at Paiges Pretty Bowtique, and she has some darling bows at the LOWEST PRICES I've found on the market. Seriously, we're talking REALLY GOOD PRICES people (we're talking like $.75 for some of them)! She sent me these two to try out and I'm very happy to report that her bows' quality do NOT reflect her prices! They are sturdy, pretty, and fun - what more can ya ask for!?

sells for $2.00

sells for $1.50

Here's what she told me when I commented on the great deal she gives her customers:

"As for the prices, sometimes it can be so expensive to make yourself or your little ones cute so I decided to make products that won't break the bank and won't make me a millionare at the same time. I do have to work a lot harder to make a profit, but I enjoy doing it. I stay at home with my 3 kids, so it breaks up the everday routine a little, and my daughter gets to have all the hairbows she could ever want."

I really liked that - Mom after my own heart! :)

A couple more pictures from her products:

sells for $.75

sells for $1.25

sells for $1.50

sells for $2.00

The Giveaway: one of you will win a little shopping spree at Paiges Pretty Bowtique! Michelle will give the winner $5 worth of their choice of bows, and in her shop that will go a LONG way! The giveaway will end on Monday, April 18th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail. Open to USA Residents!

Thank you Michelle!!!

Felt Food Kids Green Eggs and Ham Giveaway CLOSED

2011-03-28T06:34:00.001-05:00

Yummy in my tummy. Feast your eyes upon the non-edible creations of this Momma! Makes me hungry just looking at them. Amy is hosting an awesome giveaway here (thank you thank you thank you!). One of you will win green eggs and ham! How fun is that!?

Now I HAVE to share something - this is just for free 'cause it's just a giveaway, no review, BUT my little boy LOVES the story of green eggs and ham. We had the classic Dr. Seuss book, but then one day I stumbled across the short cartoon on youtube. Let me tell you, he has probably watched it 100 times - warning the witty music will stick in your head.

Amy has lots of other foods too, this is one of my all-time favorites.

And actually, she's got another whole Etsy shop. Wowsers - this Momma keeps busy. :)

AND AND AND (there's even more!) I've got a coupon code for my readers - 10% off of any purchase through April 30th. The code is FABULOSITY - love it! Easter gifts maybe? :) THANKS AMY!

The giveaway will end on Monday, April 11th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail. Open to USA Residents!

Felt Food Kids on Facebook

Amazing Grace Creations on Facebook

My Happy Hobbies Tic Tac Toe Giveaway CLOSED

2011-03-21T10:40:00.003-05:00

Who HASN'T spent HOURS on a long, boring drive playing this!? "Tic tac toe" and "the ABC" game (you know, trying to find all of the letters of the alphabet in order on billboards/ license plates/ etc.) were staples "in the car" pastimes for me and my siblings growing up. So when I saw this on "MY HAPPY HOBBIES" all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings came rushing back.

And check out these patterns - ADORABLE! Even if I weren't a huge tic tac toe fan (which I am), and even if I didn't ultimately master the strategy of the game (which I do - jealous?), the absolute and utter cuteness of these tic tac toes would still have been calling my name. Not to mention it being immensely practical not to have to remember to pack a huge stack of paper and at least 1 pencil in your bag.

Tic tac toe chips
I would personally go with the hard plastic on the right.

The tic tac toe "board" forms a pocket for the chips

The tic tac toe board rolls up around the chips and is held in place by this nifty stretchy loop.

These tic tac toe lines are SEWN on - quality quality

My two children are still a little young to be able to play this (3.5 yrs. and 1.5 yrs.), but at the rate they're growing up (sniff sniff) it won't be long. Already I pack slews of things to keep them busy on long trips (often airplane trips across the ocean). In the next couple of years travel games will be added to the "travel bag" - and this will definitely be included.

You've got to look at her shop though. Prices good? Check. Quality good? Check. Useful? Check. ADORABLE? Check. Anyone else thinking what I am? PARTY FAVORS!!! :) She's got lots of neat ideas like this, but like I said - the tic tac toe had sentimental value, so that's what I requested for this review and giveaway.
OK, there were the magic words! I got to review the sock monkey tic tac toe (sock monkeys also hold sentimental value for me!) and there are lots of cute cute cute ones to choose from - and the winner will do just that - get the tic tac toe of his/ her choice! YAY! Thank you to Nancy for being a creative genius - children (and their parents) around the world give you a big shout out - and for hosting a review and giveaway!

The giveaway will end on Monday, April 4th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail. Open to USA and Canadian Residents!

My Happy Hobbies on Facebook

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Bloom Creations $15 Giveaway CLOSED

2011-03-14T01:13:00.004-05:00

Let's start this very first giveaway off with me sharing a secret about myself: I'm not real creative. So when I stumble across people who are - it sends off fireworks down deep inside of me. Like maybe there's a dormant creative spark in there. Yeah, I wish. Well anyway, Yadira at Bloom Creations is one of those ARTISTS who sent off really BIG fireworks. Ask my hubby, he has to suffer through the outcomes of aforementioned fireworks - usually evidenced by frenzied activity on my part where I'm desperately trying to create something other than a yummy warm meal and a neat stack of freshly washed clothes (and even those creations are more sporadic than I care to admit).

Moving on. I received in the mail two BEAUTIFUL pieces of art for my little girl - a headband and a bow. Wow. "Headband" and "Bow" just don't do these justice. OK, nevermind. Just look at the pics from Bloom Creations and see if you don't get some fireworks going in you!

ping

crackle

pop

spray of sparks

poppety pop pop

brilliant lights

They are absolutely breathtaking. I'm even a little afraid to put them on my little girl! But they're obviously TOP quality and won't be coming apart anytime soon, so watch out - my little girl's going to be sending off fireworks all over the place! ;)

And ok, while I'm raving over these - let me just say that the packaging and beautiful tags also attest to Yadira's creativity and eye for detail. There is no down side to this shop.

AND it gets even better! Bloom Creations is offering a $15 shopping spree to their shop PLUS free shipping to the winner of this giveaway! The giveaway will end on Monday, March 28th, at which time I will contact my randomly.org chosen winner via e-mail. Big thanks to Yadira for hosting such a fun giveaway for us!!!

This Giveaway is Open to US Residents Only

Grand Opening Announcement!!!

2011-03-13T17:39:00.001-05:00

I'm opening on Monday, March 13th! Wow! That's tomorrow! YAHOO!