Gumballs.com Giveaway!

I have always wanted a real gumball machine. I remember looking through that big toy catalog that always came before Christmas. I would circle everything I wanted and that always included a gumball machine. One year, I received a plastic gumball machine. I was happy at first, but the machine didn't last very long. Fast forward years later and now I am the very proud owner of the real deal! My King Carousel Gumball Machine with Stand is everything I hoped for. It is well made and the globe is glass! This is a great gift for just about anyone! If you don't like gumballs, fill it with nuts or candy!

The King Carousel Gumball Machine Features:

• Real glass gumball machine globe

• Cast metal gumball machine base, lid, and coin mechanism

• Accepts any coins (quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies)

• Includes instructions for "free spin” to work without coins

• Works as a gumball bank - retrieve coins when full

• Anti-spill gumball chute door cover

• Dispenses small gumballs (.62" or smaller), candy, or nuts

• Gumball capacity: 5 lbs. of .62" gumballs

• Machine comes fully assembled in a gift box

• Includes all-metal pedestal stand (assembly required)

• Dimensions: 37"H x 8”W (with stand)

• Weight: 13 lbs.

• Color: Classic red finish

• 30-day money back guarantee

I love my new King Carousel Gumball Machine and my kids do too! My children love being rewarded with bright, colorful gumballs that taste fresh. Gumballs.com also sent us Cry Baby Guts Sour Gumballs designed for their larger machines. They taste like ordinary gumballs on the outside. Bite into one and the tears begin. They are very sour and I'm already addicted. I LOVE sour candy and these top my list!
One US reader will win a king Carousel gumball machine, stand, and gumballs of their own! Visit Gumballs.com and tell me which gumball or machine you would like to try! Leave your answer in a comment below! Bonus entries: Become a fan of Gumballs.com on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for two extra entries each. Blog or tweet about this giveaway for three bonus entries! Follow me on Google/Networked Blogs/Facebook/Twitter for one entry each follow. Links are on my sidebar. You can also follow my new blog, Away We Go, with Google/GFC for one extra entry! Giveaway ends midnight November 15, 2011! Good luck!
A second winner will also receive a prize! Second place will win a case of gumballs from Gumballs.com, winner's choice of flavor! Good luck!




Disclosure: I was sent this product in order to complete my review. Honest opinions given and no monetary compensation received. Giveaway provided by Gumballs.com or representing PR firm. Winner has two days to respond to my email. If response is not received, and alternate winner will be chosen.

Box Tops For Education Giveaway!

This school year, giving back to your school can be as easy as looking for the Red Spoon on your favorite Betty Crocker® dessert mixes, the only brand in the baking aisle with Box Tops. Whether you´re collecting for new computers, library books, or a playground, through the Box Tops for Education® program you can help make a difference. Last year, your contributions earned more than $59 million for America´s schools!

Now, you can find Box Tops for Education on all Betty Crocker baking mixes*, including new Fun da-middles, individual cupcakes with a fun, creamy center.This back-to-school season, look for double Box Tops on specially marked packages of Betty Crocker baking mixes. For great baking tips, recipe ideas and information on Betty Crocker products, visit http://www.bettycrocker.com/! To learn more about Box Tops for Education and how you can help your local school, check out http://www.boxtops4education.com/!
Enter to win a prize pack containing brownie mix and:

Cupcake iclips

Cupcake bag

Cupcake notepads

Box Tops for Education pencils

Neoprene Lunch Sack

To enter, tell me which of your favorite Betty Crocker dessert mixes you plan to purchase in order to collect the Box Tops to help your local school! Leave your answer in a comment below! Open to US residents only. Bonus entries: Blog or tweet about this giveaway for three bonus entries! Follow me on Google/Networked Blogs/Facebook/Twitter for one entry each follow. Links are on my sidebar. You can also follow my new blog, Away We Go, with Google/GFC for one extra entry! Giveaway ends midnight November 1, 2011! Good luck!

Disclosure: The Betty Crocker products, information, and giveaway have been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.

StoryBook PJs

Sam loves his StoryBook PJs from Little Toader! They arrived with a toddler friendly board book that tells the charming story of Boppo the Hippo. The PJs are soft and and feature cool graphics from the story. Sam loved hearing about Boppo's adventures and when he discovered the character on his pajamas, he was thrilled! The book is a quick read and it flows really well. Sam often picks up his book and tries to read it back to me! Sam is a little small for his age. He wears a 2T top and a 2 or 3T bottom. The size 2T PJs were a little snug, but sleepwear is usually made to fit that way. I guess it was really perfect! It's lightweight enough to be perfect for our alternating warm and cool evenings! I love Little Toader StoryBook PJs, but I wish they had other PJs and stories available. That would be cool! Sam would love to pick out a different set each night. It would save us a lot of time trying to pick out a bedtime book too! Little Toader also offers cute little teethers! I don't have any personal experience with them, but their rib and chicken wing teethers are fun! I know I will be adding them to my traditional baby gift baskets that I put together for showers! 

 Disclosure: I was set a StoryBook PJ set in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Sam Is My Little Superhero!

 Sam is going through a phase. He runs through the house and pretends he's flying. When he stops, he smiles and will tell anyone present that he's a superhero. It's cute. Even though he's not supposed to run in the house, sometimes (shhh, don't tell my husband) I allow it, especially if it helps his imagination grow! He's never had a cape and he was really proud when he received a cape from PowerCapes.com. I didn't go through the ordering process, but I was thrilled with the cape. It was perfect! Sam played until he passed out. The cape is well made and the edges are finished nicely. It is made from good, quality material and it held up well! I loved browsing the site. They have ready made capes and you can customize them with ease. They also have superhero accessories, which is pretty cool, as Sam would say! These make the perfect Halloween Costumes and they also make great Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers! Visit PowerCapes.com and order a set for your little (or big) superhero! Be sure to check out their accessories too! The mask and cuffs are hard to resist!
Disclosure: Sam was sent a Power Cape for this review and mention. No monetary compensation received.

Book Review: The Rancher

Dawn Nelson lives on a large cattle ranch north of Spokane, Washington. When she’s asked “What do you do for a living?” she typically answers, “I am a published author, poet, wife, mother and cattle rancher.” Her popular stories of the real life in the modern west are striking a chord with men and women all over the country. She strives to make them as close to real as they can be, and draws extensively on “research” based on what happens to her in real life. “Saddling up with my characters is as close to saddling up and riding the range with me as you will get without actually getting on a horse.” Her newest book, The Rancher, is the third in a series, published by Gray Dog Press of Spokane. The spark for her motivation, she says, comes from having been diagnosed with cancer six years ago. “A doctor told me I only had six months to live and I was worried that my daughter, who was a few months old, might never get to know who her mother was. So I started writing down true stories from my life. I underwent four years of surgeries and then sent my manuscript off to a publisher. They loved it and that started my writing career. Since then writing has been a passion of mine. I love writing and every time I touch my fingers to a keyboard for a new story I remember the very first time and the tears that I wrote that book through and somehow that keeps me going. I write every day even if it is just a page or two. I have thirty-eight books in different stages of being completed right now.”What does she do to get rid of writer’s block? “To shake it off, I jump on my horse and head to the mountains for the weekend. Just me, my horse, my dog, a pen and a whole tablet of blank pages.”
The story is about a lady rancher named Laura whose husband left her for a wealthier pocketbook. Although she didn’t intend to ever fall in love again, after a long trip she finds the nicest man she has ever met at her door. The self-proclaimed bachelor owns and operates a two-thousand-cow spread and he has no time for women or any plans to settle down. His life and dreams are full of cows, calves, quotas and the bottom line. At least that’s what he thinks till he meets Laura. The only problem is there are two states between them and neither wants to leave their home. Can love find a way to move mountains or are two states just too far? They soon find that their hearts are not the only thing trying to put a damper on their happiness when a blast from the past comes out of the woods and sends Laura and Kyle running for their lives.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The pace was great and it held my attention from the first page through the last. Laura is a character I can relate to. She puts her children first and she isn't afraid of a little hard work. She meets Kyle and his father, Paul. Kyle's childhood wasn't ideal. His father was always working and their relationship is strained. Laura seemed to bring out the best of both of them. This is the third book in a series and I didn't feel like the author was punishing me for not reading the others first. I hate it when I read a book and find references to other books and I can't follow along because the author doesn't provide enough background information on plots or characters. Here, I was given just enough information to clue me in and it made me want to go out and buy the books. This book is 205 wonderful pages. I was a little unhappy reading the last chapter, which took place three months after the previous chapter. The author did such a great job creating her characters that I felt disappointed (and a little deprived) with the speed of chapter twenty. I would have loved another fifty pages instead of the condensed finale. I felt a little cheated, because I wanted to witness the meeting between Kyle (and his dad) and Laura's children. I wanted to be a part of the plans and I missed out. I wanted more! I am looking forward to reading more from this bright, talented author. She has a gift and I can't wait to read other books from this series. Many thanks to her for creating a beautiful story and allowing me few days to escape into her world of ranching, mystery, and romance.
Disclosure: This book was provided at no charge in exchange for this mention. Honest opinions given.

Pumpkin Raisinets Streusel Top Muffins

Try this new pumpkin recipe straight from the Nestlé Kitchen! It's coming to meals.com in a couple weeks. Save $1 on Raisinets with this coupon! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Raisinets Streusel Top Muffins


(Makes 24 muffins)



MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 can (15 ounces) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin

3 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

¼ cup orange or apple juice or water

1 bag (11 ounces) NESTLÉ RAISINETS Milk Chocolate-Covered Raisins



STREUSEL TOPPING

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons butter



PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Grease or paper-line 24 muffin cups.



FOR MUFFINS:

COMBINE flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine pumpkin, eggs, oil and orange juice in medium bowl; mix well. Stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in Raisinets. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling three-fourths full.



FOR STREUSEL TOPPING:

COMBINE sugar, flour and cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over muffin batter.



BAKE for 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool slightly. Serve warm.

Disclosure: I was under no obligation to share this recipe and coupon. Thanks Nestle (and representing PR firm) for sharing with my readers!

Giveaway: Healthy Fun Snacks For Fall!

Now that fall is here it’s time to stock up on healthy Sunday Night Football choices for your family! This Sunday, ditch the dogs and skip the sodas and keep that summer physique well into winter. These snacks are perfect for sharing. They are also great for long car rides to and from the game!

Craisins Original Dried Cranberries: Surprise your taste buds with the sweet, delicious taste of Craisins® Dried Cranberries. Made with real fruit and good as a snack or in a recipe, they’re naturally fat-free and cholesterol-free. Plus, they’re a good source of fiber and 1/3 cup is equal to a serving of fruit.

Smart for Life protein bars: Eliminates post-exercise hunger, so you gain muscle not fat. Supports healthy cardiovascular function, helps promote weight loss, boosts metabolism and controls hunger. ·        

Medifast Cheese Puffs: These sweet and savory products will tempt taste buds and keeps you feeling full plus they offer a daily requirement of 24 vitamins and minerals! ·        

HINT Water: Staying hydrated, refreshed and in shape is a must, which is why HINT Water is offering great flavors like Strawberry-Kiwi, Mango-Grapefruit and Pomegranate-Tangerine without adding those extra calories.

Win a prize package containing each of these great snacks! To enter, tell me your favorite Sunday Night Football dish! Leave your answer as a comment below. The winner will be chosen at random at midnight October 31, 2011.  US residents only. Good luck!
Disclosure: I was provided a package of my own in exchange for this post. No monetary compensation received.

Just Stomp And Go!!!

I have two very messy kids. My hardwood floors take a beating. My rugs, well, it's worse for them. I have a heavy duty carpet cleaner and I despise taking it out. It's heavy and I don't like taking the time to fill it. I really hate cleaning it after each use. It wouldn't be so bad if I could only take it out once or twice each year. Because of my kids, I take it out at least twice a month to clean my rugs. Recently, I was invited to try Bissell Stomp 'N Go stain lifting pads. My first thought? "Yeah, right!" I put them to the test recently and I was so impressed! Each box contains five pads. To use, open a pouch containing a saturated pad, drop (wet side down) onto stain, step on it. I gave mine a little twist! I can leave the pad on heavy stains if needed for 24 hours! Usually, 30 minutes is all it takes. I used the pads on carpet samples provided to test these out. They were stained with grape juice. Within 10 minutes, the stain were gone! The carpet smelled nice and fresh afterwards! After using them on the samples, I became brave enough to try it on my rugs. I used them first on my wool rugs to pull up a chocolate syrup stain. It was fresh, and the stain was gone within 5 minutes. I even took things a step further and used one on a juice stain that had set in. My rug is wool and silk, so I was a little nervous. It worked! While you can use it on most materials, always test it before use!

Stomp 'N Go Pads:

•Stomp out tough stains

•Permanently removes tough set-in stains like red wine, food stains, fruit juice, pet messes, mud/dirt, coffee/tea, blood and more

•Leaves carpet smelling fresh

•Box includes 5 individually wrapped, pre-moistened pads

I loved saving money on expensive cleaner for my carpet cleaning machine and it was nice to toss the pad in the trash when the stains were gone. I saved time and I didn't have the dirty job of cleaning my machine afterwards!

Disclosure: I was sent product and compensated while participating in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central and Bissell in order to complete this review. Honest opinions given.

Gourmet Pizza From Domino's!

Have you tried Domino's new pizza? They now offer three gourmet Artisan Pizza flavors: Spinach & Feta, Italian Sausage & Pepper Trio and Tuscan Salami & Roasted Veggie. They look delicious, and the toppings look fresh! Before even getting to the pizza, you'll be greeted by a signed pizza box - penned by the store manager responsible for what comes within: a carefully and uniquely crafted gourmet pizza. Consumers who order Domino's Artisan Pizza through online ordering will receive a link where they can rate the pizza and let Domino's know what they think. When I looked at Domino's Blog, I was really surprised that they print all customer reviews, good and bad, on their site and in NYC's Time's Square! They are not afraid to put themselves out there and let the whole world see their feedback. That's impressive. They are always looking for ways to improve. I love it when companies pay attention to their customers! During the campaign, consumers can try the pizza for $7.99 every day of the week. Domino's will also continue its Early Week Pick-Me-Up Deal, offering consumers a 3-topping pizza for $7.99, carryout only. That's a steal!I love Domino's Pizza. I couldn't say that before they changed their recipe. Now, it's our first choice when we want carryout pizza!
Disclosure: I was under no obligation to share this news and no compensation was received for this mention.

Life Happens... Protect Your Family

I have life insurance and I know if I pass away my family will not have to worry about paying my final expenses or private school tuition, which is important to me because I homeschool our children. My husband has life insurance too. We both wanted to know that our children would be taken care of if they lost one or both parents. Many do not have life insurance and I know a few that think life insurance is out of their reach.

September was Life Insurance Awareness Month, and now is the perfect time to think about protecting the most important people in our lives. The nonprofit LIFE Foundation sponsors Life Insurance Awareness Month in response to the growing problem of too many families not having adequate life insurance protection. According to the industry research group LIMRA, 11 million U.S. households with children under age 18 have no coverage. Those families are just one illness or accident away from a financial crisis, and something needs to be done about it. That's why LIFE has created the "Insure Your Love Picture Mosaic" in support of Life Insurance Awareness Month.

The "Insure Your Love Picture Mosaic" is designed to recognize and celebrate those who have made the responsible decision to protect their loved ones by owning life insurance, while also introducing them to a larger community of others who have made the same choice. People are encouraged to upload up to 20 photos of their loved ones, whose financial future has been safeguarded by their decision to purchase life insurance.

By adding your photos to the mosaic, you will also be helping out a great cause. For each photo uploaded, $1 will be donated to the LIFE Lessons Scholarship Program, which provides tuition assistance to students who have lost a parent and are struggling to achieve their dream of a college education.Visit the Life Foundation's Facebook page and like them. Afterwards, add up to twenty photos to their mosaic!

Disclosure: I received a gift card as part of a promotional program with the LIFE Foundation and MomSelect.

Wonka Giveaway!

This Halloween, treat your kids to Wonka's new Haunted Mix! Howlin' Laffy Taffy and SweeTarts Spooky Gummies will make your house the star of the neighborhood! The Spooky Gummies come in new, fun Halloween shapes. They smelled fantastic and they tasted even better! The Laffy Taffy was my favorite of the two. I love banana taffy! Wonka must love me as much as I love them! They sent me a bag to try AND I get to offer a giveaway! One US reader will get a package containing 5 bags of Halloween Candy from Wonka! Visit Wonka and tell me which Wonka candy you love the most! Leave your answer in a comment below! Bonus entries: Blog or tweet about this giveaway for three bonus entries! Follow me on Google/Networked Blogs/Facebook/Twitter for one entry each follow. Links are on my sidebar. You can also follow my new blog, Away We Go, with Google/GFC for one extra entry! Giveaway ends midnight October 15, 2011! Good luck!

Disclosure: I was sent this product in order to complete my review. Honest opinions given and no monetary compensation received. Giveaway provided by Wonka or representing PR firm. Winner has two days to respond to my email. If response is not received, and alternate winner will be chosen.

Halloween Express Giveaway!

Logan wanted to be something scary this year for Halloween. I intervened. I'm not ready for him to be a ghoul or serial killer. Because I couldn't stand to see him dressed like a zombie, or something that would give me nightmares, he picked out an Army Costume. I think he likes camo because his dad was in the Army. Logan enjoyed getting all dressed up and he enjoyed having his dad apply his camo paint! His costume is comfortable and it is easy for him to get on and off. It is lightweight too, which is perfect for our warmer evenings. He can't wait to wear it for Halloween!

Halloween Express is giving one US reader a $75 e-gift card! Visit HalloweenExpress.com and tell me which costume you would like to win! Leave your answer in a comment below! Bonus entries: Become a fan of Halloween Express on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for two extra entries each. Blog or tweet about this giveaway for three bonus entries! Follow me on Google/Networked Blogs/Facebook/Twitter for one entry each follow. Links are on my sidebar. You can also follow my new blog, Away We Go, with Google/GFC for one extra entry! Giveaway ends midnight October 10, 2011! Good luck!

Disclosure: I was sent this product in order to complete my review. Honest opinions given and no monetary compensation received. Giveaway provided by Halloween Express or representing PR firm. Winner has two days to respond to my email. If response is not received, and alternate winner will be chosen.

FAMILY FUN WITH PBR AT BASS PRO SHOPS!

 The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) and Bass Pro Shops are bringing family fun to the Bass Pro Shops nearest you! PBR’s popular event features FREE family activities, giveaways and the opportunity to meet a Professional Bull Riding Expert.

PBR fans are invited to Bass Pro Shops on October 15th from 10am to 4pm to take part in all the fun. The event kicks off at 10am and the first 150 customers will receive a free cowbell. Activities include fun crafts for the kids such as making a FREE leather key chain (while supplies last) and stick bull riding. Kids can also try their hand at bull roping sponsored by ®Lincoln Welders and get their face painted like “Flint” The Entertainer, sponsored by ®Cooper Tires.

Kids have a chance to win ®Ariat Boots when completing the “Coloring Your Kickers” coloring sheet – sponsored by ®Ariat, offered throughout the event in addition to the “Kids Best Dressed Cowboy or Cowgirl Contest”, sponsored by ®Wrangler. Judging for the Best Dressed contest begins at 11am with the prize of one (1) $50.00 Bass Pro Shops gift card being awarded at 11:30am. Fans can meet a Professional Bull Riding expert and learn more about bull riding from 1pm-2pm. See your local store for details.

Disclosure: I was under no obligation to share this information.