Hosting a giveaway? You can link it here to promote it! I try to visit everyone who links up since I LOVE giveaways! Please include blog name - prize - end date and link directly to your giveaway. My current giveaways are listed in the right sidebar. Please keep it family friendly or identify it as adult content.

Looking for more giveaways to enter? Check out my friends Dina at Just Another New Blogand Kristi at Moms Own Words! Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!

Now, moms everywhere can bring a beloved traditional Latin flavor to their family’s breakfast table with new Dulce de Leche Cheerios. With a hint of caramel flavor, Dulce de Leche Cheerios, provides a delicious and tasty start to your family’s day while delivering key health benefits expected from a cereal made with whole grain and 6 grams of sugar per serving. Be among the first to taste this new twist on a familiar classic.

Dulce de Leche is traditionally incorporated in Latin American inspired desserts, and you can now get a hint in the newest variety of Cheerios.  With the same goodness you’ve come to know and love about Cheerios, the new Dulce de Leche flavor provides 39 percent of the recommended daily amount of whole grain*

Box of Dulce de Leche Cheerios
Orange polka dot cereal bowl
Cereal spoon
Dulce de leche scented candle
Disclosure: The new Dulce de Leche Cheerios information, product, and prize pack have been provided free of charge by Cheerios and General Mills, through MyBlogSpark.  All opinions are my own.

While I spend significant time on the weekends cooking and preparing ahead for the week of meals, sometimes I take a shortcut. Tonight was one of those nights. I picked up a Bertolli Meal Soup to throw together for dinner.  Bertolli offers a yummy and easy-to-prepare restaurant-quality Bertolli Meal Soup.  Prepared on your stove in a very short time, you have a meal to go for two that is satisfying and hearty.  For us, this meal served well to feed two adults and one young child.

My work is quite busy right now.  This means my blog gets neglected  and even my own mother said she had noticed a lack of fun posts about Lily and the family.  So, I grabbed my camera and snapped these photos tonight of things that made me happy.  I could have gone on and on, but I'm limiting it to five for now.

Happiness is: starting some seeds with Lily this past weekend.  Hope we get some good herbs!  Thanks to my best friend Lisa for sending Lily a fun herb gardening kit for Christmas!


My new salad spinner.  How have I waited 33 years to purchase this must-own kitchen goody?  I love it!


Packages in the mail that lead to hours of kid entertainment.  These boxes are new condos for the Cinderella-Barbie doll and her other Barbie friend, who wears an entirely too short and too low-cut mini dress and crazy platform heels. I didn't buy it.  Lily loves it.  Let me leave it at that.


Home decorating tips from a 4 year old.  And her dad.  Apparently they made these light-fixture decorations this morning.  Interesting...although I banished them quickly to the recycling box.  They still made me smile :)


And last but not least?  The Disney Social Media Moms Conference invite I found in my spam folder.  I bought my conference ticket this morning and am excited to attend and bring the family.  I think we'll wait to surprise Lily with the news if I can manage to keep it a secret.  It will be my first ever blog conference!  I'm just a teeny, tiny bit excited!!
If I wanted to, I could probably go on to list quite a few more but now it is time to go chill out with my #1 happiness - the hubby!  Did something make you happy today?  I hope so!

Take advantage of great savings on some of your favorite participating brands during the “Best Meals Happen at Home” event at Publix from January 26th through February 1st.  As of Jan 26th look for in-store for coupons that will be valid through February 15th.  Visit BestMealsatHome.com to sign up and receive emails with weekly recipes and coupon offers that will help you save up to $200 this year - I did!  We are big fans of Publix and enjoy their large produce section and variety of products.  The friendly service is a plus, too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thirty-One’s mission is to celebrate, encourage and reward women for who they are! We feel women deserve to treat themselves and their loved ones to something special. We do this by bringing the party – and incredible fun and functional products to the home! By offering quality products and an outstanding business opportunity that helps women achieve their personal “Why,” we are providing women with a fulfilling, enjoyable and rewarding experience.

The name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31 in the Bible that celebrates the busy, hardworking wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister in all of us. Thirty-One recognizes women for who they are and all they do for their families and their communities!  The new catalog is filled with stylish, affordable products exclusive to Thirty-One. From signature purses and totes to storage solutions that help organize your life, there’s something to fit every personality and situation.



THERMAL TOTE - $10 Special (regularly $20) until January 31st!
· A classic thermal tote that is perfect for school lunches and eating on the on-the-go
· Features an exterior pocket for napkins, cutlery or dry snacks, as well as a zipper closure.
· Simply slip in a freezer pack and food stays cool for hours.
· Silver thermal lining keeps food cool or warm
· Measure approx. 9.5” H X 14” W X 4.5” D – a nice ample size for lunch containers!
· Available in 11 styles and designs and you can customize for $7 or more!

CINCH-IT-UP THERMAL TOTES - $15 Special (regularly $20) until January 31st!
· New style just introduced for Spring 2012 and 30 percent bigger than the classic Thermal Totes
· Great for keeping your plastic containers of leftovers cool ‘til lunch.
· Longer handles means you can toss it over your shoulder and keep yourself hands free!
· Features a drawstring closure for maximum space.
· Silver thermal lining keeps food cool or warm.
· Simply slip in a freezer pack and food stays cool for hours.
· Comes in 5 bright spring patterns – aqua circle, black paisley parade, circle spirals, leopard floral and lotsa dots and measures approximately 10.5”H x 9.5”W x 5.25”D

BUY IT
Product is sold through Thirty One Gifts consultants. Locate yours by visiting www.thirtyonegifts.com or find out how you can become a consultant with only a $99 investment in a business kit worth more than $300.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

We are preparing for spring with a fresh layer of pine straw.  For you Northerners, that's the Southern equivalent of mulch.

Adam puts out about 50 bales in the spring and fall.  Luckily for me, I break out in a rash if it touches me so I am saved from this process.  The rash is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Lily has stepped up and taken my place in the process.  Such a good helper!





Do you have a Wordless Wednesday?  Feel free to link up below!

The newest releases from Big Idea Entertainment are out - VeggieTales: God Loves You Very Much and VeggieTales: If I Sang A Silly Song!

VeggieTales: God Loves You Very Much
The fun and family friendly film features stories that demonstrate how God cares for us in all kinds of situations!VeggieTales: God Loves You Very Much is the follow-up title to the smash-hit VeggieTales DVD, God Made You Special. This release includes nearly 90 minutes of family-friendly content and features three fan-favorite VeggieTales stories that teach other valuable lessons about love, Gideon: Tuba Warrior, The Ballad of Little Joeand Rack, Shack & Benny. The title also includes an all-new “story-song” called Does He Love Me?, as well as other bonus features and activities.

Available for $12.93 wherever DVDs are sold.

"Does He Love Me?” is the question the Veggie Kids ask Larry and the answer is found through a fun trip of song and rhyme that gives the answer -- God loves you very much! Join Larry, Bob, Junior, Laura and their pals as they recount all the ways that God shows kids he loves them even when "they forget to blow their nose, or dirty up their clothes!" This new compilation features stories that show uniquely how God cares for us in all kinds of situations! With the classic VeggieTales episodes, kids also learn valuable lessons around love, including Gideon: Tuba Warrior (Trust), The Ballad of Little Joe (Facing Hardship) and Rack, Shack & Benny (Peer Pressure).

VeggieTales: If I Sang A Silly Song

Available beginning February 7th , 2012 for $12.99 wherever DVDs are sold.

VeggieTales Silly Songs! Larry the Cucumber hosts “The Silly Song Telethon” and counts down the top favorite silly songs of all-time... voted for by the fans!! The fun continues with a surprise introduction of a never-before-seen, new Silly Song chosen by Larry the Cucumber from thousands of fan submissions!

Perfectly appropriate for Valentine's Day and all year long, VeggieTales: God Loves You Very Much and If I Sang a Silly Song will be a staple VeggieTales title for years to come! Please let me know if you are interested in reviewing either DVD or hosting a reader giveaway because I would love to help coordinate!

WIN IT
One of my US readers will win both DVDs. Lucky you!

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me why you would like to win or tell me another Veggie Tales DVD that interests you. Easy!

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave one comment for each entry!)
2) Like Veggie Tales on Facebook and/or twitter and leave your user name (1 entry each)
3) Follow me on Google Friend Connect, twitter, Facebook , networked blogs, Pinterest or Google+ (1 entry for each method)
4) Subscribe by email (2 entries - please leave 2 comments)
5) Grab my button and let me know where I can find it
6) Tweet this giveaway (RT 1 extra entry per day): VeggieTales 2 DVDs #Giveaway http://bit.ly/wLdIrL (US 2/7)
7) Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (you can vote daily for an extra entry each day)
8) Like Recipe Obsessed on Facebook, follow on GFC, twitter or Google+ (1 entry each)
9) Enter any of my current giveaways (1 comment for each giveaway)

Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. Please be honest in your entries as I do check entries and will delete any non-qualified comments! This giveaway will end at midnight on February 7th. I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner and post the winner on my website. Giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck to all!

This review and giveaway was made possible by Veggie Tales. Thank you for providing the item for review and giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

Prosperity, peace, happiness and longevity all symbolize the Chinese New Year, one of the most important and festive Chinese holidays. In this “Year of the Dragon” beginning January 23, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and P.F. Chang’s Home Menu want to ignite your good fortune and share the spirit of this holiday with you.

The eve of Chinese New Year, January 22nd, is marked by the reunion of loved ones for a feast.
Along with the reunion dinner, the Red Envelope itself represents another significant tradition in Chinese culture.  Red Envelopes, filled with gifts, are presented to family and friends during the Chinese New Year since the color red symbolizes good luck.  Our celebration feast will take place this upcoming weekend since I have been putting in some longer hours at the office during the work week.

I have tried the P.F. Chang's Home Menu Meals for 2 in the past and enjoyed the quick preparation and flavorful combinations.  As much as I enjoy home cooking, it is great to skip slaving over the stove and have a quick meal at the ready to pull out of the freezer.

There are a wide variety of P.F. Chang’s Home Menu noodles for you to enjoy!  The flavors of Home Menu noodle entrees include Pepper Steak with Chow Fun Noodles, Grilled Chicken Teriyaki with Lo Mein Noodles, Garlic Chicken with Dan Dan Noodles, and Firecracker Shrimp with Yakisoba Noodles.  Join us in celebrating the Chinese New Year the P.F. Chang’s way – either savoring your meal at home or at the Bistro with your friends!

Be on the lookout for a fun Facebook application on PF Chang’s Facebook Page, that will provide you good fortune for the New Year!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Red Envelope Celebration Kit to facilitate my honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this post.

Hosting a giveaway? You can link it here to promote it! I try to visit everyone who links up since I LOVE giveaways! Please include blog name - prize - end date and link directly to your giveaway. My current giveaways are listed in the right sidebar. Please keep it family friendly or identify it as adult content.

Looking for more giveaways to enter? Check out my friends Dina at Just Another New Blogand Kristi at Moms Own Words! Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!

Did you set any resolutions in 2012?  My two main resolutions are to get fit and to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet.  I am doing pretty well on the latter mainly due to some strategic weekend food planning.  I cook ahead for the week, chop celery, bag carrots and stock pile the produce drawer with all sorts of fresh produce.  It is working out well!

The "get fit" part...not so much, mainly because this is my busiest time at work.  I still try to get some free weights in during the evenings but the lunch time gym sessions have been put on hold until March.  Luckily, healthy eating is keeping me feeling good!


At 50 calories per eight-ounce glass, Trop50 not only tastes great, but helps you feel good. Each 8-ounce glass of Trop50 squeezes in a full day’s supply of vitamin C and is also a good source of antioxidant vitamin E. Trop50 is available in Orange (No Pulp, Some Pulp and Calcium + Vitamin D), Farmstand Apple, Pomegranate Blueberry, Pineapple Mango, Lemonade and Raspberry Lemonade.

Share your New Year's Resolutions with Tropicana and enter to win a sweepstakes on their Facebook page through January 31, 2012.



WIN IT
One of my US readers will win a $50 Spa Week gift card. Lucky you!

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me if you are still following any resolution you made. Easy!

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave one comment for each entry!)
2) Like Trop50 on Facebook and/or follow Tropicana on twitter and leave your user name (1 entry each)
3) Follow me on Google Friend Connect, twitter, Facebook , networked blogs, Pinterest or Google+ (1 entry for each method)
4) Subscribe by email (2 entries - please leave 2 comments)
5) Grab my button and let me know where I can find it
6) Tweet this giveaway (RT 1 extra entry per day): $50 Spa Week Gift Card #Giveaway for a relaxing New Year! #Trop50 http://bit.ly/wWNGmW (US 2/3)
7) Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (you can vote daily for an extra entry each day)
8) Like Recipe Obsessed on Facebook, follow on GFC, twitter or Google+ (1 entry each)
9) Enter any of my current giveaways (1 comment for each giveaway)

Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. Please be honest in your entries as I do check entries and will delete any non-qualified comments! This giveaway will end at midnight on February 3rd. I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner and post the winner on my website. Giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck to all!

This giveaway was made possible by Trop50. Thank you for providing the item for giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

What do you put on your pizza?  I recently started experimenting with a homemade version that is wonderful.

Our favorite includes bell peppers, artichoke hearts, black olives, pepperoni or sausage, tofu, spinach leaves, red onion, yellow pepper rings and broccoli.  Mmm, can't wait to make another one soon!

Are you ready for a new look this New Year? Progresso® is excited to announce the return of their Souper You® Contest giving you the chance to win an incredible makeover! By telling Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about their soup, you could have the chance to win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring!

All original and new styles offer matchless shaping with every movement and support for the tummy, hips, thighs and derriere; new features include a softer, more luxurious fabric for optimal comfort; and shorter leg bands that now reach to mid-thigh for more flexibility with dresses and skirts of different lengths. The collection's new, more reasonable price point makes it accessible to a wider audience of women. .

BUY IT
Most ShāToBu GET FIT™ items are available in sizes S through 2X (Everyday Slimming Posture Supporting Tops and Everyday Leggings and Top in S through XL), at prices ranging from $28 to $88, at the newly launched ShāToBu.com and in department and .com stores across the country including Dillards, Dillards.com, Bloomingdales, Macys.com, Lord & Taylor, LordandTaylor.com, and BareNecessities.com. Lord & Taylor's Manhattan Fifth Avenue flagship store will host an editor and consumer debut event with models and stylists in October.

MY THOUGHTS

Despite all the joy that the holidays brings, it also brings something that is NOT on Santa’s Wish List – STRESS! In fact, the American Psychological Association states that more than eight out of 10 Americans anticipate stress during the holiday season.  There is now a new product that hopes to provide a little relief.

This is an easy, quick one-pot recipe that cooks up in about 15 minutes.  Count me in!  I found this in Rachel Ray magazine and have made it multiple times.

4-6 ounces rice noodles, cooked and drained
1 13.5 ounce can of light coconut milk
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 pound shrimp, peeled and de-veined
2 cups snow peas
salt and pepper to taste
fresh lime juice from 1 lime



Cook your noodles and drain in a colander.  In the same pot, add 1 cup water, coconut milk, curry paste and soy sauce to a simmer.

Add shrimp and cook until cooked through and pink.  Add the snow peas and cook until tender crisp, about 3-5 minutes.  I generally squeeze the lime juice in at this point, or you can serve with lime wedges for so individuals can season to taste.  Enjoy!  This works well as leftovers, too!

Hosting a giveaway? You can link it here to promote it! I try to visit everyone who links up since I LOVE giveaways! Please include blog name - prize - end date and link directly to your giveaway. My current giveaways are listed in the right sidebar. Please keep it family friendly or identify it as adult content.

Looking for more giveaways to enter? Check out my friends Dina at Just Another New Blog and Kristi at Moms Own Words! Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!

Vitalicious has launched new 50-calorie Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakes, the first 50-calorie product of its kind and Vitalicious’ lowest-calorie product ever. Launching just in time to jump-start healthy New Year’s resolutions, Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakessatisfy your passion for chocolate and still leave you feeling full and satisfied.

With 2g of protein, 6g of fiber, 14g of carbs, only 1g of fat plus 15 vitamins and minerals, the all-natural Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakes are loaded with as much nutrition as they are with gooey chocolate goodness.

VitaCakes are made from all-natural ingredients and whole grains without any artificial coloring or preservatives of any kind. Plus, it only takes 7 minutes to “walk off” the 50 calories contained in each Mini VitaCake*. (And, they are only one measly point on Weight Watchers PointsPlus program!)

* Data obtained from the National Institutes of Health and is calculated for a person weighing 150 lbs walking 4.5 mph.



MY THOUGHTS
I usually tell people that I do not have a sweet tooth, but I mainly avoid sweets and desserts to avoid the sugar and fat that usually goes along with them.  These tasty Mini VitaCakes are a a great alternative to have on hand.  Stored in your freezer, the cakes defrost in your lunch bag or on your counter within a few hours.  I personally did not attempt to microwave them to defrost them but did see that as an option on the instructions.  Personally, I love the fact that a sweet treat can be high in fiber and vitamins and minerals.  What I love even more is that there are no artificial additives or preservatives.  Plus, they are chocolate-y and yummy!

I'm constantly on the lookout for a project.  The recent undertaking after installing our own hardwood flooring? Redecorating the main level.  Our main living/dining level is one giant C shape, with a kitchen on one end and TV area on the other.  In between is a giant open space.

We have spent the last few night moving furniture, trying different arrangements and layouts.  We think we found another option that will be more usable.  Open spaces are hard!




What's harder?  De-cluttering the garage.  This is the third garage, filled with...stuff.  Plants, kids toys, pots, more kids toys, and more plants.  Yikes!!





And on the other side of the garage, the endless Handy Hubby workbench area.  Eeek!  You really don't want to see a close-up!



One of my New Year's resolutions is to de-clutter and organize.  Wish me luck!  I need it, badly!!

DoMyOwnPestControl.com was started by two brothers in 2004 and is now one of the largest and fastest-
growing do-it-yourself pest control retailers in the United States. The company was recently honored on the prestigious 2010 Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies ranking No. 700 with three year growth of 438%. The company also ranks as the 17th fastest growing company in Atlanta (yay, my hometown!). BizRate.com recently awarded DoMyOwnPestControl.com with the Circle of Excellence Platinum Award for exceptional customer service, an honor given to only the top 1% of over 5000 online retailers.

Our success at DoMyOwnPestControl.com is measured by how closely we keep to our company's mission:

Make happy and satisfied customers by providing the absolute best customer experience.
We accomplish this through competitive pricing, a website that is customer-centered and easy to use, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and fast free shipping.

One of the things I am very proud of as a full-time, stressful-job working mother and wife is the fact that we eat very, very well.  I don't regularly fly through the drive-thru.  Frozen pizzas and dinners are not welcome here.  We eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies at work and at home.  The fruits and vegetables below are a spill-over from the full crisper bins in the fridge.







Adam and I both work hectic days and I enjoy making sure we have healthy options to take to work for lunch and to eat at home.  The weekends are my time to shop, plan and organize.  I spend a LOT of time cooking and making meals ahead of time.

It isn't a chore because I enjoy it and I enjoy having homemade food to consume during the week.  Today I made some of my favorites.

Stuffed Cabbage
Andoullie Sausage and Spaghetti Squash
Sauted Creamy Garlic Spinach
Acorn Squash Soup
Basil Stir Fry over rice

I also chopped celery, cooked some soybeans, peeled a pomegranate and boiled some eggs to take to work as snacks.  Next I organized everything into portable containers.  This is my counter and fridge on Sunday night, ready to face another week!

Have you set any New Year's Resolutions? I am determined to get more fit in 2012. With work, family, activities and running a household, exercise doesn't always fall as the number one priority on my list. We are changing that at home with some evening workouts that involve the whole family. It is funny to see my daughter make an attempt at planking!  I've gone through several issues of fitness magazines and torn out exercise moves we can easily do at home.  Lily actually motivates us by asking if it is exercise time yet some nights!

My other resolution is to incorporate even more fruits and vegetables in our diet. Currently my kitchen counter is covered with kiwis, apples, oranges, apricots, squash, bananas, sweet potatoes and more.  Part of our healthy eating plan involves healthier juice options!  Did you know that Tropicana® Trop50® delivers the goodness of fruit juice with 50 percent less sugar and calories, and no artificial sweeteners?

Trop50 got its name as a result of the marriage of Tropicana and “50 percent” less sugar and calories. Tropicana Trop50 is a breakthrough innovation from Tropicana that offers 50 percent less sugar and calories, and no artificial sweeteners. Trop50 is the first juice beverage to be naturally sweetened with an all-natural stevia-based sweetener. Trop50 is designed to help manage weight goals by offering reduced sugar and calories, without sacrificing great taste.

At 50 calories per eight-ounce glass, Trop50 not only tastes great, but helps you feel good. Each 8-ounce glass of Trop50 squeezes in a full day’s supply of vitamin C and is also a good source of antioxidant vitamin E.  Trop50 is available in Orange (No Pulp, Some Pulp and Calcium + Vitamin D), Farmstand Apple, Pomegranate Blueberry, Pineapple Mango, Lemonade and Raspberry Lemonade.

Share your New Year's Resolutions with Tropicana and enter to win a sweepstakes on their Facebook page through January 31, 2012.



WIN IT