Why Enter Blog Giveaways???

My initial response to the question I get often from friends, why do you enter so many blog giveaways, is really easy. Why not?

But I really do want to give a better reason than that. After all not everyone sees the benefit to doing something like that. It does take a little time and it does mean you really have to keep up with things, like email, tweeting and posts on Facebook. And let's face it, we all spend a little too much time staring at computer monitors!

So here are my reasons for why I enter so many blog giveaways.

~ Free stuff!!  What better reason other than some really nice free things. Who doesn't love free?

~  Helping promote products I love and enjoy. I don't enter just any kind of giveaway. I do enter a lot, but I pick and choose. There literally are thousands of them out there to choose from, so I look for things I know my family and friends can use or I can give to others in need. I also like promoting products from companies I love. So entering the giveaways helps further promote that company and my ability to be able to get that product in the future.

~ It helps fellow bloggers out. That's a win win for me and the blogger. Companies don't offer free products just to anyone all the time. They want to know their product is going to get as much exposure as possible. Bloggers can earn money from their blogs and knowing that I can help them do that encourages me and hopefully them. So by entering I help the blogger and the company AND I can get something for free to boot. See, it's a win win!

~ It's convenient! I love having things delivered right to my door. No pulling the van out. No traffic. No crowds. Oh and no money!!

~ You get to know your UPS, FedEx and USPS deliverers! The ones I have are awesome! They take such good care of the packages they deliver to me and they deliver a lot between the wins and freebies I send for. It's kinda nice to know them by name and not just as a face behind a box. Course I'm thinking those cookies at Christmas help them to be so nice too! LOL!!

~ Free stuff!! Did I mention this already? Seriously you can get some really neat free stuff by entering blog giveaways!

I thought it would be neat to tell you about some of the free things I have gotten just in the past few months alone from entering blog giveaways. Remember these are just the blog wins, not other sweeps wins or all the giveaways I send for that companies offer. 

So here goes:

~ two packages of Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit

~ Parent's Choice Starter Set:
    2, 4oz. Nursers
    3, 8 oz Nursers
    2 Slow Flow Silicone Nipples
    1 Medium, 2 Fast, 5, 4oz. Liners
    5, 8 oz. Liners
    5 leak proof caps
    5 retainer rings
    1 Premium Infant Formula (full size)
    1 Advantage Infant Formula (full size)
    $3 coupon for formula

~ Betty Crocker Cereal Treats Bars Prize Package:

    full size box of Lucky Charms Treat
    full size box of Golden Grahms Treats
    Wipe-Off/Bulletin Board & wipe-off marker
    12 Colored Pencils made from recycled materials
    Back Pack

~ 2 Kid Fresh Entree FREE Coupons

~ Special K Starter Pack: 

   The Special K Challenge and Beyond book

   Special K Red Berries Cereal

   Special K Chocolate Caramel Protein Meal Bars

   Special K Strawberry Fruit Crisps

   Special K Sea Salt Cracker Chips

(I actually won this from two separate blogs, but the company only allowed one win per person for the giveaway. Sigh!!)

~ Wonder Wheeler Wide (Made for toting things to and from the beach. Very cool!)

~ 4 boxes of the new Splenda Essentials

~ 2 coupons for FREE Smucker's Uncrustables

~ Smoke Alarm & Energizer batteries

~ Freshetta Proud to Support Pink Giveaway: 

   2 Pink earbud sets 

   Freshetta Coupon for One free pizza

~ $100 Gift Certificate to Caren Products (Luxurious skin care company!!)

Now if you counted that was 11 wins in just the past few months. Not bad for a few minutes here and there every few days. The list for the whole year would be really long! Every one of those things I listed are things I can use or have been able to use as gifts for others. All the wins I have had over the year have saved my family a lot of money and time searching for things to give, to say the least the grocery bill being cut down.

It's worth the effort it takes and it's a lot of fun. I don't know a single person who doesn't like to win something! So what are you waiting for? Give it a try. I know a lot of bloggers out there who will thank you for it and you'll thank yourself too!!

Colman's Mustard Review and Giveaway

 

For years at my home Colman’s Mustard has been a staple. I have very fond memories of helping my Mother cook and measuring out the dry mustard from the pretty yellow tin, and since then I have created my own memories in my own home using the same pretty yellow tin. There’s something about Colman’s that just helps make food taste better. Recently I contacted the company thanking them for their products and they were kind enough to send me some wonderful samples to use and some wonderful information to share with all of you.

Complete Your Holiday Cooking with Colman’s Mustard

Call on Colman’s Quality for the Season’s Most Special Meals

The winter holidays are a special time to gather with friends and family over the season’s most special meals. The holidays bring history and tradition together, and family recipes are ushered forward to create winter’s most anticipated feasts. This year reach for Colman’s, the UK’s most celebrated mustard, for the ultimate ingredient and iconic quality that brings a smoldering kick to favorite traditional dishes. 

We all get nostalgic for one dish or another around the holidays - sweet potatoes, bread stuffing, pumpkin pie and turkey. It’s the meal and all its parts that make the holiday special. Known as the English mustard, Colman’s has an unforgettable spicy kick that has become a gourmet mainstay in kitchens all across America turning roasted meats, creamy mashed potatoes and even gravy into an unforgettable taste sensation. 

Not just another condiment in the cupboard, Colman’s uses only the finest proprietary blend of brown and white mustard seeds grown locally around the Colman’s mill in Norwich, England.   The smoldering heat and sensational quality combine to create a unique flavor that’s versatile, robust and pure.

Colman’s Double Superfine Dry Mustard Powder is long-lasting and economical, with an ultra-fine consistency that delivers layers of flavor and maximum kick when added to holiday favorites.  

Colman’s Prepared Mustard is truly gourmet and at the ready to add smoldering heat to any dish. As always, Colman’s contains no dyes, chemicals, preservatives, or gluten – just 100% pure, irresistible tastiness. 

New Ways to use Colman’s in Holiday Favorites:

• Spoon Colman’s Prepared Mustard over soft cheese for a delicious and spicy appetizer.
• Add Colman’s Prepared Mustard for a dollop of zest in Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
• Deepen flavor profiles with Colman’s Superfine Dry Mustard Powder stirred into Gravy.
• Use Colman’s Superfine Dry Mustard Powder as a dry rub for all Holiday meats.

This Holiday, call on Colman’s quality for the season’s most special meals and Complete Your Cooking with Colman’s™.

HAM AND ASPARAGUS AU GRATIN

3 1/2 tablespoons butter
3 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon Colman's Prepared Mustard
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 ¾ cups reduced fat milk
1 cup grated aged cheddar cheese
1 pound asparagus spears (about 16 spears)
8 slices cooked ham
2 cups cooked spinach noodles

Melt butter in a sauce pan. Whisk in flour and seasonings. Gradually add milk. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer until smooth and thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted. Cook asparagus in boiling water until tender-crisp (about 1 min). Roll two asparagus spears in each ham slice. Place noodles, then ham rolls, in baking dish; cover with sauce. Garnish with red pepper slices, if desired. Bake, uncovered, 20 min at 350°. Makes 4 servings or 2 rolls each. 

About Colman’s

Established in 1814, Colman’s of Norwich has been recognized widely as the English mustard in the U.K. Using a unique and zesty blend of brown mustard seeds (Brassica Juncea) and white mustard seeds (Sinapis Alba), Jeremiah Colman created a mustard with a flavorful heat sensation that has become an essential condiment and paramount ingredient in Britain’s favorite recipes, even to the highest royal order. In 1866 Queen Victoria bestowed the ultimate seal of approval - the Royal Warrant – galvanizing Colman’s as the crown jewel of mustards, securing its place in the most discerning kitchens around the world. Sold as prepared mustard and mustard powder, Colman’s provides a pure, fiery and complex condiment for all your recipes and dishes. Complete Your Cooking With Colman’s. Visit Colman’s of Norwich on the web at www.colmansusa.com . For recipes, extended history and information please visit www.colmansusa.com. and follow us on Twitter @colmansmustard1. 

If you have never tried Colman’s I highly recommend you do. You won’t regret it. Their site is full of awesome recipes to try. It’s available nation wide at many retailers including WalMart, Meijers and Target. And you can win some for yourself by entering here. Colman’s has sent me 3 gift packages to share, each containing a prepared mustard jar, dry mustard tin and a t-shirt. How nice of them to share with us!! Just follow the directions bellow in the Rafflecopter.

MAM Rock-A-Bye Baby Party was a big hit!

Recently I was contacted by Child's PlayParty and asked if I wanted to host a MAM  Rock-A-Bye Baby party featuring their products and for moms with children 0-2. I was thrilled to take part in it. MAM is a leading company making some awesome baby products. When I got my package I couldn't believe how many wonderful things were in the box. It was jam packed with some great gifts for each of my guests and for me!

At the party we had a small crowd, but everyone was excited to see how nice the room was decorated. We used a facility near my house and had to go with their them of colors so we made it a Lil' Pumpkin Rock-A-Bye party. It was so cute to have all the pumpkins and pale fall colors around the room. I was so happy to find pale orange, green and yellow to use to go with the facilities fall colors already out. Everyone just enjoyed it.

Our snacks even had a pumpkin theme to them. Some of the little ones had a blast with the frosting!! But the big hit with them was the jigglers I made using the cutest cookie cutters that Child's Play sent me as a host, a rocking horse, baby bottle and teddy bear. They were absolutely yummy & too cute!!

We had a great time with our party! We played some fun games, some sent by Child's Play. All of us were shocked at how little we knew about colic and preventing it and the proper oral care for your little ones mouth even before teeth start popping up! It was really interesting and some great info for us all!

MAM Is leading company for some innovative baby products. One of my favorite was their pacifiers. Here's what they have to say about them:

MAM pacifiers help babies relax in comfort and style! Our attention to detail has resulted in a variety of pacifiers that are orthodontically correct for baby’s jaw and teeth development.

Another product I was particularly impressed with was the soothing relief teether. Here's what they say about them:

MAM has worked closely with pediatric dentists to ensure that all teethers perfectly compliment baby’s development. Chewing, cooling and soothing – MAM Teethers help babies forget teething.

If you aren't familiar with MAM  they are a family-run company that was founded in Austria in 1976. The company’s mission is to combine the best in technological innovation, medically sound function and contemporary design to help give babies the best start in life. MAM products are sold in over 20 countries around the world.
MAM products are known for their modern design aesthetic, fresh colors and playful motifs.
All MAM products are 100% Baby Safe – BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free, lead-free and CPSIA-complaint…and have been for years. And I can say from my own experience they are some of the nicest baby products out there!!

I want to thank Child's Play and especially MAM for inviting me to have the party and for all of the wonderful gifts for my guest and for me! It was so very much appreciated by all of us, especially the little ones!! If you haven't checked into Child's Play you really should. They are a great company to work with!!

None of the mother's attending wished for their photos or the photos of their children to be posted online. I respected their privacy!

This review was my own opinion. I was not paid to write it. I was given free products for my guests and my self by MAM and Child's Play to introduce us to their company.  All opinions are my own except where quoted from the MAM website.

500 Swagbucks!!!

Amazing news for all you Swaggernauts!! Swagbucks has a promotion going on right now where you can earn 500 Swagbucks. Yep, 500!!

All you have to do is refer 5 friends (outside of your household!) and when they earn 50 Swagbucks each you get 500! Wow!!!

It's really simple to start sharing Swagbucks with your friends. Everyone has a referral link. At the top of the Swagbucks page you'll see the word Promote. Click on that and you'll find your personal link when you click on Promote Banners. The link is at the top of the page. It's that easy!!

And if you have never signed up now is a great time. When you do and use the code 5For5 on the sign up page you get an automatic 100 Swagbucks!! That's a great way to start out. I earn enough Swagbucks each month to get 4-5  $5 Amazon gift cards!! Yep and some months even more. I have not paid for a birthday present or Christmas present in a year and a half!! Not one! Who wouldn't love that?!

So what are you waiting for??

Dial™ NutriSkin™ with Aloe really works for me!

I have a horrible time with very dry skin. It seems like no matter what I try it does not work long term for me. I have tried all kinds of lotions, creams, oils, you name it. Nothing seems to work exactly like they claim it does. And then my skin gets a little itchy because of being so dry. To say the least it is very uncomfortable!!

Well Dial™ NutriSkin™ with Aloe is no exception to all the other lotions out there, Except.....It works longer than almost all the other lotions I have tired! I was very pleasantly surprised at how long it does work for me. And I have found that if I use it twice a day it keeps most of my dry skin at bay. So I won't complain one bit about that!!

I also like the light fresh fragrance that it has. It's not overbearing or too powerful and that is important to me. I tend to be a little sensitive to heavy fragrance. And it isn't greasy or slimy feeling either. Eeew who likes a lotion that makes you feel like you are going to slide off everything?! So I am glad that the Dial™ NutriSkin™ absorbs into my skin quickly, lasts, but does not leave me feeling "coated".

I think they got something right here! They also make these lotions; Extra Dry Skin, Soothing with Chamomile and Ultra Hydrating for Men. Looks like they have something for everyone!!

I received a small sample from WalMart. I did not receive any product or compensation for this review from the Dial Corporation. It is my own personal opinion and not that of WalMart or Dial!

smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

Have you heard of Smiley 360? If you haven't you have really missed out on something fun. I love being a part of Smiley.  Do you love to try new things? Haven't you ever tried a new product and thought, "This would be so much better if…" Well, as a smiley360.com member, you can provide that kind of feedback directly to the source. Your opinion matters. And as a fringe benefit, you'll earn status in the smiley360.com community, which has its own perks, rewards, and opportunities. It's a win-win situation, really.
What do you get being a part of Smiley, well

• Knowing your opinions will be heard
• The chance to try products, services, and experiences
• Unique benefits that become available as your smiley360.com Status improves

The amazing thing is they send you some awesome products to try completely free all in return for you saying what you honestly feel about the product, how it worked or didn't, is it too expensive, hard to find, awkward to use, you name it they want to know. Often they even send you coupons to share with your family and friends too. Love that!!

It's completely free to join and you don't have to spend a lot of time at it either. I check in about once a week just to see what new is going on. Like they say at Smiley, it's a win win situation, you get free things and companies get to hear feedback on them.

Time To Rest and Relax

 I am so excited! For the longest time I have been wanting and needing some time away from the craziness of my life. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and friends, but sometimes we just need a break to regenerate ourselves. So this weekend I am finally getting that. I will be going to a ladies retreat in upper Michigan in the back woods and far away from anything big and busy!

The theme for the weekend is Women of Passion. I can so relate to that. Anyone who knows me even just a little knows I can be a very passionate person. My husband often remarks about how far one way or the other I am on subjects. Seldom is there a middle of the road for me.

I have to say though the things I am the most passionate about are the things that really matter, spiritual things! Sharing my faith and my love for my Lord is something I really have no problem doing and will take every opportunity to do so. One woman asked me recently if I had any fear at all. Well yes, to be completely honest, but not when it comes to sharing God with others or defending what is right or standing against what is contrary to God's Word. With those things I have no fear! Spiders and weak floors are another whole matter. We're working on those.

In our Ladies Sunday School class we are studying the many great women from the Bible. It has been amazing to learn so many minute things that happened in their lives that made them who they were and helped them do what they did for God. I would have to say that most of them were Women of Passion. I am encouraged by them and what they did. Despite the fact that all of them were broken vessels who often made mistakes, God still did some amazing things in their lives and used them in fantastic ways. It is my desire to be used by God in that way. I've made my fair share of mistakes, and then some, but I know he is working in me and through me.

So this weekend is something I think I will really enjoy. It's just going to be me and a dear friend going to the retreat, so I know we will have lots of great conversation and fellowship. I'm really looking forward to what the Lord plans on teaching me over the next few days. And to continue being completely honest, the antique shopping along the way to the retreat will be a lot of fun too!!

See you when I get back!