Cymax and KidKraft have teamed up together again to bring you another great giveaway prize!
(this is giveaway 2 out of 3... the next one is supposed to be even bigger!!)
I know that not only my daughter would love this but my toddler son would too. I used to be a chef, so they have always loved cooking with me. It isn't always safe to cook with kid's though.
Many years ago we owned a play kitchen, but we sold it at our yard sale before moving cross country. I was sad to see it go but it was nothing like this awesome kitchen. If this had been our play kitchen I would have made room in the moving truck for it. ::goodbye less cool toys:: I really hope we win this and make our play time complete again. Our pretend food will have a home in a play kitchen again.
Want your own chance to win this delightful play kitchen?
It's very simple. Just blog about their giveaway or share their contest on Google+. Why does your little recipient deserve to win this? After sharing this contest, email socialmedia@cymax.com including the location of where you shared it. Then you too will be entered to win.
Don't believe me how easy it is to enter? Check it out yourself HERE
Check out their blog and stay informed about their great giveaways ~> Cymax Blog
Check out what else they have to offer at Cymax.com
I was given an entry into this giveaway for blogging about the Cymax and KidKraft giveaway.
Christmas is over and now there is a fridge full of leftovers. What do you do with your ham bone and that big chunk of meat left on it unsliced?
One of my family's favorite meals comes from those leftovers. My husband actually asked for it on Easter instead of the spiral sliced ham. With a pregnant wife and 4 kids craving slow cooked spiral sliced ham, loaded baked potatoes, and steamed asparagus, corn and baby carrots he quickly backed down.
Ham and Beans
Left over Ham on bone from a spiral sliced ham
3 40oz cans of Pinto beans
1 Large yellow Onion small diced
Water
Start by adding the Ham with bone into a large pot.
Drain the pinto beans and add to the pot.
Add enough water to cover the ham and beans well.
Add the diced onion into the pot as well.
Put mixture onto medium heat let simmer until remaining meat falls off the ham bone.
Remove the ham bone and chop up any large chunks of ham to large bite size pieces, returning the meat to the bean mixture.
Turn heat to Medium high to thicken the liquids.
You can use Lima beans, Great Northern, or black eyed peas. Which ever bean your family prefers.
I am very grateful for the experiences of the past year and we are looking forward to the coming new year. May everyone have a safe and joyful holiday season. Thank you for my loving supportive family, great friends wonderful readers and awesome customers.
Geseende Kerfees en 'n gelukkige nuwe jaar (Merry Christmas in Afrikaans)
Gzuar Krishlindjet Vitin e Ri! (Merry Christmas in Albanian)
Gozhqq Keshmish (Merry Christmas in Apache)
I'D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida (Merry Christmas in Arabic)
Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand (Merry Christmas in Armenian)
Zorionak eta Urte Berri On! (Merry Christmas in Basque)
Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok (Merry Christmas in Czech)
Vasel Koleda; Tchestita nova godina! (Merry Christmas in Bulgarian)
Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok (Merry Christmas in Cantonese)
Danistayohihv & Aliheli'sdi Itse Udetiyvsadisv (Merry Christmas in Cherokee)
Naadelik looan na looan blethen noweth (Merry Christmas in Cornish Gaelic)
Bon Natale e Bon capu d' annu (Merry Christmas in Corsican)
Sretan Božic (Merry Christmas in Croatian)
Gldelig Jul og godt nytr (Merry Christmas in Danish)
Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! ('Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' in Dutch)
Colo sana wintom tiebeen (Merry Christmas in Egyptian)
Gajan Kristnaskon & Bonan Novjaron (Merry Christmas in Esperanto)
Rmsaid Juluphi Head uut aastat (Merry Christmas in Estonian)
Sal-e no mubarak (Merry Christmas in Farsi)
Me Nomuni na marau ni siga ni sucu dei na yabaki vou (Merry Christmas in Fijian)
Hyv Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua (Merry Christmas in Finnish)
Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar (Merry Christmas in Flemish)
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Anne! ('Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in French)
Every year it feels like a battle to keep my kid's believing in the wonder and magic that is Santa. We've had our whole tree on Christmas morning appear covered in candy canes with a letter from Santa. Had "snowy" boot prints left on our carpet. The traditional cookies, milk and carrots left out for Santa and his reindeer. Every year it's a new battle against the party poopers that try to ruin the magic of the season for my gullible sweet kids.
This year there is a new trick in my arsenal. My very own photo of Santa caught delivering presents. Can you imagine the look on your child's face when they see your proof that Santa really was delivering presents to their house?
There is still time to get your custom Santa photo from iCaughtSanta.com You can do this all the way up til Christmas Eve!! I can't wait to see the looks of amazement on my kid's faces when they see the photo of Santa caught delivering presents to our house. This website is another great holiday addition to my family's traditions.
It's very easy to create your own memorable keepsake photo. With only 3 simple steps. Upload your holiday picture, add Santa Claus and print it as proof. You can also share via Facebook and Twitter. eGift certificates and gift cards are available to purchase as well. Send the gift of Santa with iCaughtSanta.com
Use this code SANTA50 and receive 50% off your order!!
That's an awesome deal. Go to iCaughtSanta.com now to make your own Christmas memory.
Choose from one of many Santa poses to make your picture perfect. Each year you can catch him in a different pose. Making it fresh and fun for years to come.
Want to stop the screaming? Is your feathered friend a biter? Don't give up, there is help out there for you.
The best online resource for me as a parrot owner has been Bird Tricks. Their blog answers many everyday questions that a bird owner may have. Did you know birds get dry skin like we do in the winter?
I first became introduced to this website after we rescued Mezmo our African Grey Parrot. Mezmo was a victim of the poor economy. His previous owner, a hypnotist or magician in Las Vegas, lost his home to foreclosure and Mezmo was the bird that he didn't take with. sad right? A friend of the family was left to feed him. They knew we were bird lovers and we took him in right before Christmas of 09.
Their DVDs are an invaluable tool for any bird owner. Since buying their DVD's I better understand my parrot's behavior. I thank the training we learned from the DVD's for how fast Mezmo came to trust us. Going from a bird that would fly around in it's huge cage when you walked into the room, to flying to you and taking food off your fork as you eat. The clicker training made a huge difference in his response to step up in a few weeks. The screaming took longer but more due to my response. Telling your bird to "Stop it" will just lead to them screaming then saying "Stop it" as if to mock you even more.
We still have some more work to do with Mezmo, but training never stops when you own any animal.
Today is the first day of Hanukkah. The celebration begins at sunset on the 20th and ends at sunset on the 28th.. It is also called the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the single vessel of oil that burned for 8 days. As a child I never understood the significance of this. I believe it is because I never knew the story behind the Festival of Lights.
This is the history of Hanukkah. Around 200 B.C., Judea was under control of the Syrian King, Antiochus III, who allowed the Jews to continue to practice their religion. His son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, was not as kind and outlawed the religion, ordering the Jews to worship his Greek gods. The people revolted. Epiphanes' soldiers massacred thousands of people and then defiled the city's holy Second Temple with sacrificing pigs and worshiping foreign gods. A large-scale rebellion led by a Jewish priest Mattathais and his five sons eventually led to the Jewish people retaking their land from Syrian-Greek soldiers. It was 2 years after Matthathias' death that his son, Judah, successfully drove the Syrians out of Jerusalem. Judah then called on his followers to cleanse the Second Temple, rebuild the altar and light it's menorah. The menorah was the golden candelabrum with seven branches to represent knowledge and creation. It was meant to be kept burning every night.
The Hanukkah Miracle
The Jews who were taking part of the re-dedication of the Second Temple witnessed a miracle. They only had enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah's candles burning for a single day, but the flames continued to burn for eight nights. This gave them time to find a fresh supply. This event inspired Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival.
The story of Hanukkah is not in the Torah because the events that inspired the holiday took place after it was written. It is mentioned in the New Testament, that Jesus attends a "Feast of Dedication"
Traditional Symbolic Foods of Hanukkah
Latkes are symbolic of the cheesecakes served by Judith to the Syrian General before she cut off his head.
Loukoumades are deep-fried puffs dipped in honey to represent the cakes the fighters ate as they hurried off to battle.
Many of the foods are fried as a reminder of the miraculous oil. Now that is a holiday tradition my husband would love.
There are other interpretations to this story, but this is my favorite. I am not of Jewish faith or decent but that does not stop me from learning about their beliefs. To better understand a person you must understand their beliefs.
No matter the holiday your celebrate this season, I hope it is filled with family, love and friendship.
Want a chance to win this doll house? It's Simple.. Just Share it
2 easy ways to enter this giveaway: this looks like a social media test. How far can it reach in this format? I wish it were available to facebook and twitter as well.
Share this giveaway on your personal blog.
Share the giveaway on your Google+ account make sure to tell them what you think the reaction to this doll house would be?
Then send an email to socialmedia@cymax.com to confirm your entry. Include where you shared the giveaway at in the email.
All entries must be received before noon PST on December 25th. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by email.
Over the next 3 weeks Cymax & KidKraft are having a giveaway with one special prize every week. Keep an eye on their upcoming giveaways.
I was compensated with a an entry for a chance to win this for my own little girl. Judging by her reaction when she saw the picture, I think she just might explode into a screaming puff of sparkles and rainbow streamers.
Good hygiene is not just for the birds... When riding the bus or any other form of public transit for the sake of those around you.. bathe before begining your trip. I do not refer to a whore bath as actual bathing. Perfume rather than soap and water
Too much perfume or cologne is almost as bad if not worse than smelling like a sack full of dirty butts. There are those with asthma that can't tolerate perfumes and your over use will send them into a asthmatic attack. Your right to smell "good" does not override my right to breathe.
If a person can walk over 5 ft away from you and smell whatever is eminating off your person, your odor is too strong. I promise that you will not melt in water or start sprouting creepy green versions of yourself.
Yes, even though I'm 30-something-ish ::mumbles:: I still celebrate my birthday with great enjoyment. This recipe is one of a few others in the running that I might make with my kid's for my birthday. I'll share the cake with them , but they don't get any of my birthday cheesecake.
This recipe was originally brought to my attention by the Disheveled Mommy. I fell in love while pregnant and craving all things baked with pumpkin. Sadly my store shelves were lacking canned pumpkin and even fresh whole pumpkins until recently. I instead settled for the Applesauce and Cake mix version. (delicious but did not satisfy my craving at the time) Here is that original cake.
The Cake Mix and Canned Pumpkin Recipe originally from the Hungry Girl
Seriously, that's all the ingredients!
Ingredients: 18.25 oz box Moist-Style cake mix. (I used carrot cake since my store had no spice cake.. shh don't tell the kids) One 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (not the pumpkin pie mix..) One Can of Frosting
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Prepare a pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine the ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. (batter will be thick like brownie batter)
Thick Batter (you can add 1/2 cup water, but cake will be less dense)
Smooth batter into prepared pan and bake in the oven according to the direction on the box.
Ready to bake
Pull up a chair and watch it bake like my son does. or I guess you can go wash the dishes...
I like topping the cake with a little bit of the cream cheese frosting while still slightly warm so the frosting melts into the cake making it extra delicious.
Today we honor all those military that were lost at Pearl Harbor 70 years ago, as well as the ones that continued the fight in the midst of all that destruction in paradise.
I remember singing "God Bless the USA" with Lee Greenwood when I was in Elementary school. It filled me with such great pride to be an American. Even with how the majority of the world views Americans in a negative light, many would still give everything to be a citizen. many have given all.
Now that I am an adult, I understand more than ever how much our troops sacrificed to defend our nation and it's liberties. Since 1775 more than 1.3 million troops have died to protect our freedoms.
Twas the night before Christmas, and he lived in a crowd,
In a 40 man tent, with warriors so loud.
I had come into the tent with presents to give,
And to see just who in this rack did live.
I looked all about, and a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings were hung, just boots close at hand,
On the locker hung pictures of far distant lands.......
He had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sobering thought came into my mind.
For this place was different, it was so dark and dreary,
I had found the home of a Soldier, this I could see clearly.
The Soldier lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in his rack, dreaming of home.
The face was so gentle, the barracks in such good order,
But not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero whom I saw on TV?
Defending his country so we all could be free?
I realized the families that I've seen this night,
Owed their lives to these Soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate a new Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of the Soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, for this life is my choice."
"Defend my country this day, the peace do I keep."
The soldier then rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours so silent, so still,
And we both shivered from the night's cold chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the Soldier rolled over and with a voice soft and pure, Whispered,
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas ... All is Secure.
I love my little man and can't believe how fast he is growing.
Going from the 7 pound little guy in the NICU with tubes and wires to over 12 pounds at just two months old. He loves time in the moby wrap, luckily big brother got over it being his carrier. We are still going strong with our breast feeding. Stuck it out through strictly pumping for the first few days, and then both of us getting thrush. it was a rocky start but is very rewarding. Having a supportive family makes a huge difference in breastfeeding. Even my kids will offer me a glass of water when I am sitting down feeding the baby.
That holiday song has been stuck in my head since I heard that the Scent of the Month for December was going to be Comfort & Joy.
Since becoming a consultant for Scentsy I have come to enjoy more than the wax warmers that are the mainstay of their product base. For a instant scent fix lately I have come to use room sprays throughout the house. A spritz at the bottom of the diaper pail. The trashcans get a spray. My dog's love their kennel blankets sprayed with it. Great for a quick bathroom aroma fix after the hubby vacates the bathroom just as you want to take a bubble bath. Give your air filters a spray to distribute the scent throughout your house easily. When using a bagged vacuum I like to give the bag a spray. A little goes a long way with this spray. You will be surprised how far this bottle goes.
One lucky winner will get to experience this wonderful product in their own home.
Winner Notified
Congratulations to Cheryl R.
December's Scent is: Comfort & Joy
The best gifts combine the anticipated with the unexpected—just like Comfort & Joy. Spicy, familiar woods marry with surprising white florals, pure citrus, and just a nibble of gingerbread for a winter fragrance that's anything but ordinary.
This scent is available in Room Spray, Scented Wax Brick, Scented Wax Bar, and Scent Circle. They are on sale for the month of December too!
Why wait for the giveaway to end when you can own it now. Buy it here! Or wait impatiently to win it, just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below! Giveaway ends 12/31/2011 Winner will be notified by email.
My very first shipment of cloth diapers I ordered are here. I bought them at a great deal through a co-op with other cloth diapering moms. The diapers are from Sunbaby. They are a cheap workhorse one-size diaper. Now my two boys can wear the same diapers. This has already been a huge money saver. I love how adjustable they are. The same diaper fit my 11 pound son that fit my 25 pound son. All it takes is a different set of snaps used.
Then the gusseting of the diaper (edges that keep the mess in) have been great for our needs. There have been a few times that I was afraid to check the 8 week olds diaper for fear of seeing a huge blow out that would require teh use of scissors to cut him out of his onesie. I've done that before with my older children.. Just sacrifice a onesie so you don't have to pull the mess up over their head and trail it through their hair. Not one blowout has been experienced with these diapers. ::knocks on wood:: never tempt fate
I started Cloth Diapering because they saved me money. Now I love cloth diapering because they are adorable on my little boys. I may be biased but he makes cloth diapering so much cuter. I wish I had made this choice with my older kids.
I love the first day of December. Every year I get a sudden desire to bake cookies and watch Hallmark movies. Sorry, hubby, for the 20 movies on the DVR at the moment. I promise I will watch them..eventually.
This year some of the cookies we will be baking are The Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate chip cookies, Italian Pastry Cookies recipe from Hubby's Grandma the Sweetest Grandma in the world ,and Snickerdoodle Cookies.
We put our Christmas Tree up last night. It's an artificial tree. it was time we upgraded from our 2ft tree. The kid's are so excited to decorate the tree as a family this weekend. Make it a day of holiday fun. Time to browse pinterest for a fun crafts. We will bake cookies and more mini pies with the kids. Make popcorn and watch holiday movies together.
During our holiday festivities this year, I will miss having a fireplace the most. We have only had a gas fireplace so it was to pretty to look at more than for practical use. A real wood burning fireplace is a requirement for my dream home. It's just not Christmas without burning something. Maybe we can get a fire pit for the back yard. Make Smores over an open fire and drink hot cocoa.
I love the holidays because my husband loves to sing Carols. He sings and really brings out the festive mood in the house. I leave the singing to him to keep the festive mood from souring. It reminds me of the day many years ago when we had just finished decorating our tree. Lauryn 3 at the time grabs our hands and starts singing o Christmas Tree over and over and over. It was really cute how much she loved that tree we had decorated with our safety ornaments. White yarn puffballs on a loop. It looked like our Christmas tree was waiting for a snowball fight.
Escape the winter chill with Blizzard.
Warm cream blends to black in a sophisticated ombre
as enchanting snowflakes fall upon the base and scalloped dish.
Elegant and chic, Blizzard is the perfect holiday ornament.
Today was also the first day that the beautiful Blizzard warmer is on sale. I want one for my birthday. I have to have a reason or hubby starts calling me the crazy warmer lady. It's on sale for the month of December too. I love the snowflake details on this warmer are beautiful, between cut-outs and the etchings. The warm glow emitted from this warmer adds to it's wonderful appearance.
Paired with it's delightful Scent of the month Comfort & Joy. Comfort & Joy is a scent blend of spicy, familiar woods married with surprising white florals, pure citrus, and just a nibble of gingerbread for a winter fragrance that’s anything but ordinary. I have been warming this in my house for a few weeks with my special preview kit I get as a consultant.
As a mom of 2 kids in diapers I have finally managed to convince my husband the wise choice of cloth diapering. I am just starting out on this journey through cloth diapering and hope I don't make too many stumbling mistakes that cost me a cute diaper. As well as earn me an attitude from my husband
I already own over 100 prefolds, so I wanted to put them to good use. I have been on an internet search frenzy lately, but the more I search the more lost I became. There are so many options when it comes to cloth diapering. Where is a questionairre I can fill out that tells me what would be best for me. I have 2 in diapers that weigh from 8 lbs to 24lbs and growing. I want it to put my prefolds to use. Preferrablly not cost me and arm and a leg or my first born child. She is already a teenager and quickly disgusted with everything.. to be swapped for cloth diapers would bring her wrath for sure.
My first experience with cloth diapers was a diaper I had won from a facebook giveaway. Fluffy Monkey Butts was my first cloth diapering experience. The diaper is a custom fitted diaper with minky interior made by a WAHM. My oldest son loved it. I loved not throwing away money and how adorable he looked in it.
I joined Cloth Diaper groups on facebook to educate myself and pick up some great deals on fluff. Luckily I stumbled on a Diaper Co-Op and my first order was placed. I even managed to convince hubby to let me order from another Co-op because we want to make the switch completely.
