Thursday, February 28, 2013

Things Above


Colossians 3:12
New American Standard Bible  
12 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

When you consider the "things above", what do you think of?

Peace?
Joy?
Love?
Grace?
God seated on a brilliant white throne?
Jesus seated at God's right hand?
Images of a city more beautiful than anything that you've seen before?
Angels flying about? 

Mama Madness Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 3/20


Let's celebrate Mama this March with a Mama Madness giveaway hop!
 
Over $400 worth of prizes and 2 people will win. 
 
Hosted by So Sew Mama
 



One winner will receive the package below!



#2 ~ This elegant birthstone bracelet will make a big, bold statement. Choose your birthstone and your kids initial. Courtesy of DLaPaix

#3 ~ Teething Bling!  This is such an adorably stylish way to keep any babies attention. Bright, bold and beautiful. Win one of your own! 

#4 ~ One in stock cloth diaper from MICHELLDESIGN


#5 ~ ChubbyBaby Romper. You can find my review here. Perfect for any little girl. (review)

#6 ~ Mommy and me hat set from Marlows Gift Cottage.

#7 ~ Maternity Gown by Mommie Moxie (not pictured).



One winner will receive these amazing prizes below!







My Feeding Friend Nursing Plush Pillow (review)


A Custom Made Diaper from Two Hip Peaz in a Pod
3 sets of Swircles Nursing Pads.
Changing Pad cover from Mommie Moxie.
Fleece Diaper Cover from londonware
Custom cut chenille blanket by LynneSellers

$25 Gift Certificate to HoneyBeeHolistics


Giveaway Time!

Dates: March 1 - 20

Please read: Terms & Conditions: open to residents of the US. Must be 18 years or older. Void where prohibited by. Winning depends on the total number of eligible entries received. Once the winners has been selected and contacted, winners will have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be selected. 

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




**Disclosure: So Sew Mama and The Chatty Mom are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. I was not compensated for this post. However, So Sew Mama did receive some of the items above for review. 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday ~ Shutterbug Kiddles

 
Today I was in search of some missing photos for recipes I need to post.  During my search I discovered a treasure trove of photos that my girls had taken. 

The things kids take pictures of cracks me up...and I'm sharing some unedited moments with you. 

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

You Could WIN $100,000! Oreo Cookie vs. Creme


Enter DAILY for chance to win the Oreo Cookie vs. Crème Instant Win Game & Sweepstakes!  

Great instant win goodies to be had! 

Let me know if you win...I'll let you know if I do too!

It ends on March 22, 2013. Good Luck!

THE SWEEPSTAKES:
One (1) Grand Prize: $100,000 cash awarded in the form of a check.


THE INSTANT WIN GAME:
(3,750) First Prizes (75/day): Apple iPod Shuffle. ARV: $49.


(8,750) Second Prizes (175/day): $20 iTunes Gift Card.

(12,500) Third Prizes (250/day): coupon redeemable for one free 10.5 or larger package of OREO cookies (up to a maximum value of $4.49). Coupons must be redeemed by 6/30/13.

Today Only! HUGE Savings From Restaurant.com

 
Amazing deal from Restaurant.com!
$4 for $25 Gift Certificate - Today Only!
 
Enter the promo code "HURRY" at checkout
and click "APPLY"!
 
I have an anniversary coming up and will be applying this savings at one of our favorite restaurants in Reno.  This lady's a happy camper right now.
 
Don't wait, grab your savings NOW!

Monday, February 25, 2013

FREE Sbarro Breadsticks!


I LOVE Sbarro's pizza, pasta & breadsticks.  It beckons to me whenever I go to the mall.  So I'm thrilled to share with you a coupon for FREE BREADSTICKS! 

CLICK HERE to get yours! 

Valid thru 3/10, Limit of 2 breadsticks per Facebook Fan.

Giveaways Ending This Week ~ 2/24 - 3/02

So sorry that this weekend got away from me and it's a day behind schedule...BUT who wouldn't want to win something as we wrap up the month?! 

There's always time for more WINNING!

Here's the listing of giveaways ending this week!
 
CLICK HERE to see (or enter, or join) all of the great giveaways listed in this month's Giveaway Link-Up!



Don't miss out!!  Enter NOW! 

Savings On Maxwell House & Gevalia Coffees!

Here are your latest coupons savings for to warm your day!

Visit our $$$Coupons! page for more printables!

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Brand new Printable Coupon for you to print!

Don't miss out on the savings...Grab your coupon before it's gone! 
Print This Coupon.
 
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Brand new Printable Coupon for you to print!
 
Don't miss out on the savings...Grab your coupon before it's gone!
 

Print This Coupon.
 
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Simple Pinto Beans

 
 
 
My mother-in-law gave me this ultra simple recipe for making a perfect pot of pinto beans. These beans are perfect with Mexican dishes or over a warm slice of cornbread. (see Grandma Stella's Cornbread)

Friday, February 22, 2013

Win Kids Crafts Supplies! (2 Winners) ~ Ends 3/11

Toy Roller Bag with Craft Supplies Giveaway 
 
AllFreeKidsCrafts and Irv's Luggage have teamed up and are giving away TWO Irv's Luggage Max Toy Roller Bags Kids' Suitcases with Craft Supplies.

Click HERE to enter! Giveaway ends March 11, 2013.

Keeping It Shady Giveaway ~ Ends 3/08




Cellular Window Shades hand crafts every single window shade they sell.  They even have the signature of the person who actually built the product on each one.  What's even better is that you can directly speak to this individual if you ever have a question regarding the specific shade.  Each insulating cellular shade is built in the USA in their Vermont factory.

 
        "Our insulating Symphony cellular shades are so energy efficient that they pay for themselves in less than three years in Vermont in a house without air conditioning. Add air conditioning costs and they pay for themselves in less than 2 years."  They are so confident in the quality they have to offer and their prices, they "have a 110% price match guarantee!"

a Rafflecopter giveaway


"Make Our Own Network" solely organized this event. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are 100% my own and may differ from your own. The Chatty Mom is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.


Thursday, February 21, 2013

FREE Family Circle Recipes!

 
Have you grabbed your copy of these recipes yet?!   12 delectable recipes just waiting for you to discover.

I can't wait to make some of these this weekend...the pictures alone are fantastic!
 
FREE Family Circle recipes to keep your tummy happy.
Click HERE!

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

My Wedding Faire Event ~ Reno/Tahoe ~ 2/24

 
Looking to get married in the Reno/Tahoe area?  Don't miss the FREE My Wedding Faire event this Sunday, February 24th at The Summit in Reno, NV. 
 
Vendors representing the area's best wedding & event professionals will be there to help you get started or help to wrap up your wedding planning in one great event!
 
  • Cake Tasting
  • Photo Booths
  • Event décor
  • Venues
  • Florists
  • Entertainment
  • Invitations
  • Beauty & MORE!
 
Location:  The Summit (outdoor mall), Reno, NV
 
Time: 12:00PM - 4:00PM
 
Pre-register for the Vendor Coupon Book.
 
Visit My Wedding Library for more information.

High Altitude Baking

I L-O-V-E, LOVE to bake!!!! But there's a small problem...which could become a HUGE mess. I am finding myself dealing with the issue of recipes which now all have to be adjusted due to high altitude living.
 
Unfortunately, I forgot this little tidbit when making some Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Bread.
 
 
Can we say, "AGH!"?
 
Rounded mounds resembling footballs protruding from the center of my little loafs were completely unexpected. Still delicious, but not exactly the look I was going for.
 
Now, I should have remembered the story that my mother-in-law told me...
 
"When we first moved up here I made a carrot cake. I ended up cleaning it up for hours."
 
When I asked her why it took hours her response was, "It exploded in the oven!"
 
Great, exploding cakes...just what a lover of baking wants to hear.
 
Okay, so I make this move from sunny Southern California...Temecula (wine country) to be exact, which has an elevation of 1,175...and now have to do alterations to all of my recipes so I can enjoy baking again.
 
Let's just say that I was not too thrilled at that thought.
 
Read the recipe, add the ingredients called for, get it in the oven and have a beautiful final product. That's how I like to do it.
 
So I figured that I would list some simple quick alterations that have to be done in order to avoid some high altitude baking mishaps. (you know, just incase you decide to bake while you're in a high altitude location)
 
High Altitude Baking Conversions
1.) Decrease the following items to 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon OR to 1/4 of the total amount called for: Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Cream of Tartar
 
2.) Decrease Sugar by 1 1/2 teaspoons per cup called for.
 
3.) Add 2 teaspoons of Flour to the amount called for.
 
4.) Increase liquids by 2 to 3 tablespoons per cup called for.
 
5.) DO NOT Change Temperature!


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Monday, February 18, 2013

Walking The Runway

Have you ever thought about putting your little darling in modeling or acting? Are they drawn to the stage like a moth to a flame?

Mine both are...but especially my little Grace. And this weekend while we were out at the mall she was scouted by a representative for Barbizon.  I was surprised and also a bit skeptical, but I figured that if she wanted to go and have a little fun then why not?!

My mother did modeling and studied at the Pasadena Playhouse, which I had always fantasized about as a child. Honestly, it's still pretty cool to me. I have her portfolio which I love to go through and as a child I used to try to pretend I was she and living a glamorous modeling life.  (I now know that it wasn't so glamorous)

Until now I have not pursued anything in the realm of modeling or acting for my daughter.  This was something that I wanted to make sure was her desire and her decision to pursue. The idea of being one of those parents that pushes their child into a field that becomes far more of a job than something enjoyable just is not palatable at all.  Aside from school, I can not imagine forcing my child to do something that is neither necessary for her health, spiritual growth or mental health.

My daughter needs to be her age, look her age, dress her age and enjoy being a child. If part of her enjoyment is participating in acting or modeling then I'm all for it. (with some Mommy & Daddy guidelines of course)

So, when all of the practicing and runway walking was done we were presented with the option to register her for some classes...to the tune of over $4,000!  *gasp!*choke!*  If we were in a position that money was no object, then that would probably not have fazed us.  That, however, is not the case and we will be looking for local acting and vocal studios to work with instead.

Thinking back, that amount was my tuition for my senior year of high school...and I remember how hard it was to make those monthly payments. At least I got  9 months of study for that amount.
 
I was a little far away, but although grainy this was one of my favorite moments of the day.  It was so heartwarming to see how she cheered the other girls on and even made a couple new friends. They were adorable striking poses and showing each other how to toss their hair. I soaked it all up, loving every minute of watching my daughter high and proud and so encouraging to all the other girls there.
 
Onward we go, looking toward the future and all the drama that is coming along with it. *haha*  My girl is going to be encouraged to follow her dreams, and to keep God in the center of her life.  That second part is the one that her Daddy & I have stressed for years as being most important. We trust that as long as she does that she will have a far easier time navigating through life.


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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Get Fit By Gaming #Giveaway ~ Xbox Kinect Bundle

Get Fit By Gaming Giveaway



Special thank you to our lovely co-hosts: Mommy Bear Media, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two, Coupon Queen of Texas, The Naptime Review, Mom Knows It All, Books R Us, Simply Sherryl, Stay a Stay at Home Mom and Smoothies and Cocktails Recipes.
 
My family loves our Xbox 360 with Kinect.  It's given us a way to enjoy video games without causing us to be couch potatoes!  And during this chilly time of year when play outside isn't always possible, it's a welcomed alternative for excercise. There's tons of laughter (which is good for the soul) while we jump, run, throw, dance, dodge and duck our way through games.  Good luck!  You're going to LOVE it!

Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle Includes:

 
Xbox 360 S Console

250GB Hard Drive

Kinect Sensor
Wireless Controller

Kinect Adventures

Carnival Games: Monkey See Monkey Do

One lucky reader will receive a Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle Console Bundle!


Giveaway ends March 1st at 11:59pm, open to US & Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!








a Rafflecopter giveaway








Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The Chatty Mom is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

$400 Extreme Cash Giveaway ~ Ends 3/14


Welcome to the February Extreme Cash Giveaway! The Chatty Mom has teamed up with Oh My Gosh Beck! and other fabulous blogs to give our readers the chance to win $400!

The February Extreme Cash Giveaway will run for four weeks giving you plenty of time to complete any entries you choose to do. Remember, all entries are OPTIONAL. We have lots  of daily entries for you to take advantage of as well, so don’t forget to bookmark this giveaway and come back everyday for more chances to win!


Giveaway is open worldwide and ends March 14th  at 11:59 PM EST. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The Chatty Mom is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Please contact becky@ohmygoshbeck.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!
 
Thanks to Tracy from Mommy’s Money Saving Madness for the event button! Please contact her at mommysmoneysavingmadness@gmail.com for availability & rates.

Giveaways Ending This Week ~ 2/17 - 2/23

Who wouldn't want to win something during the month of love?  There's always time for more WINNING!

Here's the listing of giveaways ending this week!
 

CLICK HERE to see (or enter, or join) all of the great giveaways listed in this month's Giveaway Link-Up!



Don't miss out!!  Enter NOW! 

3. NEW PRIZES DAILY - Fashion swag galore! ~ Divine Caroline (new each day!)
22. iPad Mini ~ Steamy Kitchen (Ends 2/23)
24. New Mommy 8 Prize Package ~ Mama To 4 Blessings (Ends 2/18)
30. $1,000 Daily Prize ~ RewardIt.com
31. New Mommy 8 Prize Package ~ Mama To 4 Blessings (Ends 2/18)
 

...

See this week's complete list...

Friday, February 15, 2013

"Sloppy Jan's" ~ Real Homemade Sloppy Joe's

 
Growing-up I used to think that my mother made Sloppy Joe's from a can...oh, I was so very wrong.  I bought a can and it was  NOTHING like my Momma's version and definitely as good as her Sloppy Joe's.
 
So, since my Momma's name is Jan, we're making "Sloppy Jan's". Only 9 ingredients, and 6 hamburger buns. A very simple one to do...and I guarantee you won't want to go back to canned Joe's ever again. (You can't pay me to)
 
One of the added benefits of this recipe is that you are ready to eat in less than 30 minutes! Perfect for busy moms & dads who are just too worn-out to think about dinner...or singles who like to cook once and eat leftovers for 2-3 days.
 

 
Here we go! I start by preheating my skillet (a deep skillet) over medium high heat. Add my 1 1/2-2 pounds of lean ground beef. (the sauce can be adjusted for thickness if you are in the 1 1/2 to 2 pound range, simply by adding water to thin it, or cooking a little longer to reduce it)
 
 
After allowing my meat to brown and render off some fat, I add my garlic salt and ground black pepper. Then it just simmers for about 5 more minutes. I always check to see that there isn't any pink in the meat before spooning off the rendered fat.
 

 
Grabbing my trusty tablespoon and a spare tea cup, I remove the rendered fat leaving approximately 2 tablespoons worth in the skillet. Let's face it, a Sloppy Jan needs a little fat.
 

I then add in a couple of cups of ketchup. Sometimes I just dump in the full 24-oz. bottle. (Tip: when you see ketchup on sale, grab 4 or 5 24-oz. bottles for future use) 


Now I add my favorite onion soup mix...Lipton Onion Soup Mix! I love this stuff! It's good for so many things other than just soup, but we'll get into that at a later date. Give it a little stir to make sure that the soup mix is well distributed in the skillet. 


Allowing my soup mix to combine with the ketchup, I go grab the next several ingredients out of the pantry. First I add the rice vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can be used too, the amount of it and the total sugar added would just have to be tweaked, but I've gotten the best results from plain old rice vinegar.


Then I add the light brown sugar. I like this better than dark brown sugar, because it just seems to be easier to make tasting adjustments if necessary.   
 
 
Now for the kicker...Worcestershire sauce! You may not be able to say it, but this sauce is an amazing addition to so many recipes. And necessary to get just the right flavoring in this one. Without it, there is a huge void. Let everything simmer for just a bit longer...then grab your plate, hamburger bun and start serving it up!

 
I am forever teased by Charming for the fact that I eat "sloppy" food with a fork...I just would rather avoid orange stained fingers and face.

**Also great alone in a big bowl with Fritos**   


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