Getting Crafty with Borax Sweepstakes

Do you love pinterest, crafts, contests?  Have I got a great one to share with you!  The Getting Crafty with Borax Sweepstakes has launched!  There are so many ways 20 Mule Team Borax can help beautify your home, learn how to get crafty and get entered to WIN $500 here!  Oh, and this involves creating a pinterest board - which I love :).

 Here is a sampling of the board I created!  Check out my complete board here.

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to the Purex Insiders program for allowing me to be a part of this campaign and providing information about this Sweepstakes!  As part of this campaign I am eligible to win prizes!

Purex Bright Washes, Bright Wishes Partnership & Giveaway

I have something fabulous to tell you about - during the month of February Purex will be supporting Make-A-Wish!  I am so excited about this partnership :).  I am a fan of both Purex and Make-A-Wish and I could not be happier to share this information with you.  Look at that cutie above who wants a backyard makeover - let's help make it happen!  Keep reading to find out more and why you should stock up on Purex laundry detergent and fabric softener in February.

To honor the millions of children whose clothes Purex help keep bright and clean every year, the Purex brand is teaming up with Make-A-Wish to bring bright wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Laundry Detergent
Purex brand will pay $.05 per bottle to Make-A-Wish for the first 4 million bottles of 75oz+ liquid detergent sold from February 1 -  February 28, 2014, and will increase payment to $.10 for every bottle above 4 million, with a minimum guarantee of $200,000 up to a maximum of $300,000.

Fabric Softener
Purex brand will pay $.08 per bottle to Make-A-Wish for the first 620,000 bottles Classic and Ultra Lines in Mountain Breeze and Sweet Lavender fabric softeners sold from February 1 -  February 28, 2014, and will increase payment to $.10 for every bottle above 620,000, with a minimum guarantee of $50,000 up to a maximum of $100,000.

So, be sure and stock up on Purex Laundry Detergent during the month of February as every bottle helps in our effort to support this great cause.  Learn more at www.purex.com/make-a-wish

About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family.

Based in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories.  With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 38 minutes.  It has granted more than 226,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,000 in 2013 alone.  Visit Make-A-Wish at wish.org to learn more!

 Free Product Coupons

Now, ready for a giveaway?  Three people will each win a coupon for a FREE bottle of Purex Mountain Breeze detergent (maximum value $6 and expiration 6/30/14).  Just enter the rafflecopter form below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  Purex Laundry Detergent provided me with Purex coupons in exchange for sharing the Purex Make-A-Wish Campaign.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own. 

Happy 10th Birthday A - Dolphin Party

Today A turns 10!  Here she is with baby F.

We had a super fun party for her last weekend - dolphin themed.  And I was able to have a little fun planning it, even with a two week old!

Preparty sidewalk chalk

Here is the cake!  David made a dolphin jumping through the zero of the 10.

 Party Goers...thanks Bob for taking this photo :).

Dolphin Punch - A wanted pink and blue

 Our Goldfish Bar.  I bought medium sized goldfish bowls and served a variety of goldfish crackers.

 Goldfish Marshmallow Pops - kids loved these.

 Octopus Hummus

Veggie Tray

I usually make my own fruit trays but this time I bought one (I do have a newborn at home).  Bonus: It came with a caramel dip!

This is a staple at parties in Texas - just sayin'.

 A made some seashell and dolphin candy molds - always fun.

Found some fun Shamu and Friends Crackers - perfect addition.

And of course, we went out with a bang - the dolphin pinata.

A - I hope you had a great party.  Double digits already - sigh...

New Year, New You Sweepstakes

If you are like most people, you have recently made a resolution to get healthier.  Maybe you want to eat better, exercise more, the possibilities are endless.  Purex has just launched their New Year, New You Sweepstakes to help you do just that!

Stay fit and fresh this year with help from Purex.  Enter to WIN a Basis Fitness Tracker and a year's supply of Purex Crystals (you can check out my review of Purex Crystals here)!  Purex Crystals do not interfere with moisture wicking fabric; they work great for all your sportswear.  So let Purex help you stick to you resolution this year.  Go here and enter now!

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to the Purex Insiders program for allowing me to be a part of this campaign and providing information about this Sweepstakes!  As part of this campaign I am eligible to win prizes!

Become a Dining Daredevil in 2014 - Restaurant.com

I have some fun information to share.  Restaurant.com released their Hot Food Trends for the New Year.  Break free from the same-old dining routine in 2014 and try something new with the help of Restaurant.com.  To help you start your own dining adventures, Restaurant.com has compiled 3 hottest trends to conquer at local restaurants near you.  Resident trend-guru, Restaurant.com President and Chief Marketing Officer Christopher Krohn provides his predictions that will grace our plate in 2014.  With these trends, you're sure to have a spicy year, but only if you dare.  Their summary is below!

1.  Egg-cellent Adventures

While it's hard to determine when this trend ignited, it's definitely picked up pace and could reach its peak of popularity in 2014.  The breakfast for dinner craze and increasing popularity of regional specialties, like Korean Bibimbap and Mexican Huevos Rancheros, will only grow the trend of egg-y fusions.  Plus, there's an emerging sense from the scientific crowd that eggs are healthier than perhaps you previously thought, which will feed consumer interest in this farm-fresh favorite.  All in all, 2014 will be the year of the egg, so you might as well get cracking!

We dare you:  Next time you order a burger or stir fry, ask them to top it off with a fried egg or two.  The added protein will help boost your metabolism and satisfy your hunger!

2.  Farm to Fork

Diners' growing eco-awareness and their desire for the wholesome simplicity of home-style cooking and minimally processed foods is on the rise.  Riding this wave, restaurants are returning to their predecessors' roots, sourcing fresh produce and natural ingredients and cooking them up in a style that more closely resembles the authentic recipes that graced Grandma's kitchen table rather than modern, industrial food products.

We dare you:  When people hear farm to fork, they immediately think of steamed vegetables, but this trend encompasses more than just radishes and such.  Tender meat alternatives and locally produced cheeses are two items to look for on the menu.  Don't be afraid to order something with a beet or two for an added super food bonus!

3.  Tea Time, All the Time

Once confined primarily to Asian restaurants, tea is an increasingly popular beverage.  In 2014, you'll find tea used for novel and surprising purposes.  For example, ground teas like matcha and chai can be used as dry rubs and marinades for beef, chicken or veggies.  Tea-smoked salmon and pork will both make headway in the new year, and English-style tea-time gatherings at local cafes will also be big.

We dare you:  To find these tea-fusion meals, take a trip to an Asian fusion restaurant near you and keep an eye out for tea-smoked pork, ribs, or stir fry.  For an added bonus, try one of our other favorite food trends of 2014, a hot sauce like sriracha.
What do you think?  Which trend are you the most excited about?  You can tackle the rest of Restaurant.com's top food trend list on their blog here.

And to keep up with the latest from Restaurant.com check them out on twitter, facebook and Google+.  Your tummy might just thank you!

Disclosure:  I will receive a complimentary product to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own.

Get a Clean Start with Purex Sweepstakes

The Get a Clean Start with Purex Sweepstakes has launched!  Let Purex start your new year off in style.  They will take care of your new wardrobe and detergent needs for 2014 - yes please!  Enter to WIN $1,000 towards a new wardrobe and a year's supply of Purex detergent.  Just go here and good luck!

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to the Purex Insiders program for allowing me to be a part of this campaign and providing information about this Sweepstakes!  As part of this campaign I am eligible to win prizes!

Carolina Gold Book Review, Blog Tour & Giveaway

I have a new book to tell you about, Carolina Gold by Dorothy Love!  We are introduced to Charlotte as she is making her way to her late father's once thriving plantation.  Charlotte's character is easy to identify with and I instantly liked her.  Love does a great job of introducing and developing characters and settings with her vivid descriptions and attention to detail.  I thoroughly enjoyed the history, mystery and of course romance!

Keep reading for more about this book and the author.  And you can purchase your own copy here and check out the full blog tour here.

About the Book: Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father's once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold.  But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free and money is scarce.

To make ends meet, Charolotte reluctantly accepts a position as a tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation.  Then Nick's quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery - and threatens all that she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter, Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love's winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman's struggle to restore her ruined world.

About the Author:  A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere.  She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee.

After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award winning novels for preteens and young adults.  The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut.  Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.

When she isn't busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever.  The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.

Keep up with Dorothy love at www.dorothylovebooks.com, on facebook (Dorothy Love Books) or twitter (@writerDorothy).  And of course, keep reading for more information about the giveaway!

Don't miss Dorothy Love's latest historical novel, Carolina Gold.  Fun news: The release of Carolina Gold coincides with Dorothy's birthday.  Celebrate with her by entering the Southern Essentials Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on January 14th!

 
Between January 3–14, visit Dorothy Love's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win the $100 Visa Cash Card grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 14th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.) RSVP today for Dorothy's Carolina Gold Author Chat Party on Facebook.

During the party Dorothy will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, announcing the winner of the Southern Essentials Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at her next book!

So grab your copy of Carolina Gold and help Dorothy celebrate her birthday on the evening of January 14th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN.  RSVP TODAY HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 14th!

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Litfuse Publicity Group for allowing me to be a part of this tour and providing me with this book to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Baby F is Here!

 

It's a Boy!

We had our baby!  And it's a BOY!  C is beyond thrilled to have a brother as are the girls.  Our new guy came into the world on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 11:47pm weighing 8lbs 10oz and was 21 inches long.  

 

 Baby F and I at the hospital

 

Caught a smile :)

We are now home and recovering.  Thanks so much to everyone for the thoughts, wishes, prayers and support.  We have such an amazing group of family and friends!

Photo Challenge: Organize

Went through and cleaned up the Legos!

Happy New Year & Photo Challenge: A Goal

Hope you had a fabulous Christmas and an awesome start to 2014!  We are still awaiting the arrival of little Cummins, which will hopefully be any day now.  I am going to attempt this photo challenge from the idea room and I am going to try and make it interesting.

A Goal: Have this Baby!

Here I am today, 39 weeks pregnant