DebsHere

My Sister

2012-02-11T14:31:00.000-06:00

I am so sorry that I have not been here to update~as my sister took a turn for the worse yesterday and left us to be a angel..She was more then a big sister she was also my best friend.She touched the lives of many and will be missed more then words can say..I am going to stay here to help the family as we are just kinda numb now..I will try to get caught up next week with my Blog but wanted to stop and let you all know what is going on with my world.

My Sister Is Very Sick..

2012-02-08T14:46:00.001-06:00

My sister that lives in Las Vegas has taken very ill. I don't have all the details yet but I do know that I need to get there as soon as I can. As I just talked to my brother in law and he said that he thinks that I should be there too. So~I looking for flights now to leave either tonight or tomorrow.

I wanted to let you all know as I may not be in here much.I will try to update as I can and know more. Please send payers if you have a minute as our family sure could use them.

Thanks so much!

This is a poem I found online and just made me think of her..

~A Sister’s Love~

A sister’s love is special
in oh so many ways
Now miles stretch between us
and minutes turn to days.

We’ve shared so much as children
the tears, the joys, the pain
A lifetime spent together
those memories remain.

In times gone by we’ve pondered
the paths our lives have taken
Knowing that in spite of this
our sister love unshaken.

A sister’s love is special
in ways that are unspoken
Still that binding force exists
our sister love unbroken.

You Don't need the Summer Sun to Have Summer Fun!

2012-02-07T14:47:00.000-06:00

You Don't need the Summer Sun to Have Summer Fun!

(guest post by Trudy Abood)

Is your family missing those hot summer days already? Are the cold wintery blues getting you down?

Well guess what? Summer's back! In fact, it never left. It's just been hiding away in our closets and cupboards, and especially in our minds! With a little effort and creativity, you can enjoy summertime fun all year round with an Indoor Beach Party!

For starters, lets get in the mood with a little atmosphere.

Setting the scene

Setting the scene is the most important part of you indoor beach party. There are lots of ways to create the illusion of summer inside. The best place to start is your back drop. An easy favourite is a beach theme. While you can choose to do other themes like pool parties, tiki bars or even calypso, many elements of these can be incorporated with the beach anyway. There are kits you can buy from places like amazon.com or party stores, but making your own can be fun, and the kids will love to help.

Simple things like hanging blue sheets for ocean and sky in the background with some simple cut out shapes for clouds, birds and sail boats go far once you get some more tactile decor in the foreground. Be sure to check Michaels.com for their weekly deals on craft supplies and coupons. This is where it gets really fun.

Indoor beach party

There are literally hundreds of do-it-yourself beach decorations that are cheap and easy to make, and you can find them all over the web. I'll go over some easy essentials, but don't be afraid to be creative. For starters, you can make a fun beach banner by grabbing some old, thick rope, (like the kind you see on old boats and rope fences) and stringing it across the room. Next, pull out your summer clothes and pin some up. Try to pick bright colors, bathing suits, tropical prints, etc. Add a few beach towels, too. You can even hot glue some seashells to the rope to give it the ocean-worn look! You can make a few of these if you'd like, and hang them anywhere you can. For more details and other ideas check out this page on ehow.com

Another must is of course beach umbrellas. If you don't have any, check around online classified sites or even local super stores for good deals as sometimes people are clearing out off-season gear to make room. A big beach pail full of sand should hold them up fine. Place the umbrellas over chairs or around the room as you see fit.

Take it to the extreme

If you can, one of the best things for the kids i an indoor beach. Grab a kiddie pool and fill it with beach sand (you can buy it in bags at most big box home improvement stores). You only need about six inches or so, just enough to build some sand castles. You can even warm it up ahead of time with a heat lamp for true authenticity, just remember to turn it off before the kids start playing. Throw in some pails, shovels, and any other beach toys you may have on hand. Grab a few spray bottles of water for making the sand sticky without turning it to mud. Also, you will want to set up a clean off station to keep the sand out of the rest of the house. Check out Lowes.com for play sand.

Some smaller yet key elements also help set the mood. Grass skirts are a cheap and easy table dressing. Just tape them around the edge of tables and counter tops. Most craft stores sell seashells in bulk, and little glass bowls full or even small piles next to snacks on tables add an extra touch of the tropics. Grab whatever you can think of. Beach balls, inflatable beach toys, patio lanterns, tiki torches (the indoor kind) and patio furniture all add extra atmosphere. And don't forget some beach music. Calypso and reggae really set the tone, but be sure to add some rock n roll and country. Whatever you associate with summer (Beach Boys anyone?). I'm sure you'll find everything you need on Itunes!

Food and Drink Essentials

Now that the mood is set, time for some refreshments. Traditional frozen cocktails like margaritas, pina coladas and daquaris are the best, and can be made alcohol free if preferred. Also have on hand some exotic fruit juices that you can mix up for the kids. Garnished with oranges and cherries and those little umbrellas, these are always a hit. You can even use tropical kool-aid for some funky colored drinks. drinksmixer.com has over 22,000 recipes to choose from, so you should find something for everyone. Now, just serve them up in some fun glasses and enjoy!

Setting the table

Last but not least, some good old beach eats. I've found the best way to go is Surf n Turf. Just telling your family and guests that alone draws images of warm summer days. If you are planning to have a main course, there are lots of options. If you have access to a grill, use it for sure. If not, broilers can simulate grills pretty well. Grill up some beef and shrimp kabobs, mini slider-style burgers, and some shellfish like mussels and scallops.

Keep things bite sized for ease of mobility and serving, unless you plan on a sit down dinner. There are tons of tropical inspired recipes to be found on the web. Be creative. Go through some with the kids and see what they think would be fun. Be sure to check your local stores for deals, but you can also hit sundaysaver.com to see where to head from week to week.

The other big food element is snacks. Skip the traditional chips or veggies and opt for some things like grilled shrimp, nachos and salsa, mini burgers, and tropical fruit platters. Most super markets carry pre-made or precooked varieties, but have some fun and try making your own. Remember, the web is a vast resource, and it is accessible from home, which makes it fun and easy to find recipes with the kids. Also, with making your own food, you have control over the ingredients. That means you control salt, sugar and fat content, as well as portion size. More often than not, it's a lot cheaper and can also be a fun learning experience for the kids and even yourself. I use allrecipes.com for ideas, but remember to check those flyers for deals!

Be sure to crank up the heat and encourage your family and guests to wear some of their wildest beach attire. Hand out leas (those colorful flower necklaces) for some added incentive. Get them to sport flip-flops, sunglasses and a beach towel to complete the look.

So there you have it. With a little time and effort, you can transform your home into a fun-in-the-sun indoor beach party. Hope it's a blast!

About the author; Trudy is the VP of GourmetGiftBaskets.com, one of the top suppliers of quality gift baskets. She is a mom of 2 boys, one of which founded GGB and the other is also VP at the company. She formally owned Chalifour's Flowers in Manchester, NH; the largest flower shop in the state.

Mr. Chewy Review

2012-02-07T13:12:00.000-06:00

~Mr. Chewey~

Pet Treats~Toys and Treats Oh My! Mr Chewy has over 70+ brands and so many products to choose from.As they have everything that your pets could need ! Having 2 dogs and a cat it seems that we are always running to the store to get them something. But now that I found Mr. Chewy that problem has been solved.As when you place your order~you can set it up a delivery schedule.There is no charge~and no membership fees!

Let me tell you that you get lighting fast shipping! It seems that as soon as I hit send on my order it was here. They have free shipping if your order is over $49.00 too.

We had the chance to try some stuff from Mr. Chewy and this is all we received for under $50.00! We got treats~snacks~can foods and even bags of food for all of them. Now that is a deal if I have ever seen one.

I put the bags of treats and the bones for the little ones to check out~and I would say that they were very interested. As they both kept walking around them trying to get the bones open.

As you can see Sonnie decided that he was going to take the bone with the wrapper and Buster was just watching..

So I thought that I better give them their bones~and I think that they like them wouldn't you agree?!?

You can see all this and more at Mr.Chewy as you will not be disappointed at all. I am now a customer~and I am sure that you will agree that this site is a win~win situation.

You can connect with them on Facebook and Twitter so you can keep up with all the latest!

{I was sent the products to review from Mr.Chewy. No monies were offered or accepted. All above opinions are my own.}

The Keeper By Suzanne Woods Winner!

2012-02-05T10:18:00.000-06:00

We Have The Winner of The Keeper Book By Suzanne Woods!

Congrats~To Gina

{Number~#6}

I Have Sent a email and you have 48 hours to respond.}

Not the winner this time?!? No worries~I have many more new things in store so please stop by again.

The Fat Boy Chronicles Review

2012-02-04T02:09:00.000-06:00

~The Fat Boy Chronicles~

Inspired by a true story, overweight outsider Jimmy Winterpock is subjected to cruel bullying from his high school classmates. Outside the comfort of his family, going to school or playing sports proves to be a humiliating experience. Despite the teasing and torment, Jimmy manages to focus on his goals in life: to lose weight and win over the girl of his dreams.

This is a great movie for the whole family to watch.As it shows all about bullying in the schools.Yeah,it is harsh in some parts but it is the truth what is going on today.As kids are cruel~if you are different they are going to bully you. I was so happy to see that Jimmy took the right way and stopped the bullying. But it is not that easy for all kids. I would recommend this movie to everyone~as we loved it!

The newly released DVD is filled with special features including audio commentary with the director and authors of the novels, cast interviews and bullying prevention information from the International Bullying Prevention Association.

For more information on this film and DVD purchases, go to thefatboychronicles.com

{I was sent The Fat Boy Chronicles DVD to review.No monies were offered or exchanged.All above opinions are my own.}

Discover Your Winter Cocktail-Win a $20.00 Crate & Barrel Giveaway 2/20

2012-02-04T01:20:00.000-06:00

In celebration of the winter season, Robb Report presents the Discover Your Winter Cocktail Blog App.

Everyone has their favorite cocktail, but have you wondered what winter cocktail fits you best? Take the Discover Your Winter Cocktail quiz and you can find out by answering a few simple questions!

Discover Your Winter Cocktail. Answer a few questions to see what winter cocktail suits you best!
Little Known Liquor Facts! This fun guide will give you little known facts about liquor you may not have known!
Give a Winter Twist to Four Classic Cocktails! Everyone has their favorite drink and most of the time they are the tried and true classics. Now you can spice up your classic cocktail with a fun holiday twist! Great to share with friends or become the hit of your holiday party!

Here are some recipes to get you started~

Winter Breeze

Ingredients~

1 oz creme de cacao
1 oz vanilla schnapps
1 oz Irish cream
Milk

Preparation~ Pour liquors into a beer mug, and fill with milk. Stir, and serve.

Chocolate Snowball

Ingredients:

2 oz coconut rum
2 oz Irish cream
1 oz hazelnut liqueur
3 1/2 oz melted chocolate
3 1/2 oz cream
1 dash chocolate syrup

Preparation~ Place the chocolate syrup around the glass then place the other ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into glass.

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle

1 ounce Godiva Liqueur
1 ounce Culinary Traditions Raspberry
½ ounce vodka
½ ounce simple syurp

Preparation~Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and then strain into a Martini glass and serve.

~My Giveaway!~

***Win A Hendrick’s Gin Golf Umbrella and $20.00 Crate & Barrel Gift Card***

Please Enter Below~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purex and Jockey Winner!

2012-02-03T01:05:00.000-06:00

We Have the Winner For the Jockey and Purex!!

Congrats to Kristen Morris

{#217}

I have sent a email~as always please respond within 48 hours.

Not your name this time?!? Stop by again as I have many more new things to come!

Ben's Beginners Contest and My Healthy Tips!

2012-02-01T01:54:00.000-06:00

I love to cook and most times you will find me in the kitchen whipping up one dish or another. I taught my kids when they were young and now I am able to share the experience with the grandchildren.I think that it is important that they learn their way around the kitchen.And teaching them at a young age~really makes a difference. . There are so many ways that they kids can help and it seems that when they help they are more likely to eat it!

My Healthy Tips~

Keep the kids busy,let them help no matter how little the chore is to you.As just getting that spoon or dish that you need makes them feel that they helped in such a big way!

Add foods that they like when you are cooking. Such as I have one granddaughter that does not like mushrooms~so we substitute that for onions as she loves them.

I like to have them try new foods all the time,they don't have to like everything that they try. But I want them to give it a chance.As I like beets~and I know that they are many that that don't so if they like them fine~if not we will try a new food the next time.

I like to take them shopping with me.In the summer we took a trip to the Farmer's Market and they got to see all the fruits and veggies that we could choose from. We also had a garden so when they picked the veggies they were more excited to eat them.

I like to also that they now have all the cooking things that kids need in their own size.As those little hands can't seem to hold the big tools we use properly. I love the all the little sets that you can get now and guaranteed that they love them more.

Making different shapes with foods is fun too! I like to cut sandwiches with cookie cutters to make them different shapes.Also you can make ants on a log{peanut butter on a celery stick with raisins}~they is always a favorite here!

Let them help~I know that they might make a mess or spill that milk over.But you know what? That can be wiped up~but the memories that you make will last a lifetime...

Now that I have shared my Tips~I would love to tell you about a contest that Uncle Ben's is having~

Uncle Ben’s has launched an exciting national contest called Ben’s Beginners! By entering the contest, you could win $20,000, along with a $50,000 grant towards a cafeteria makeover for your child’s school. In addition, you will have a chance to appear on The Rachael Ray show! Uncle Ben’s is calling for parents with children ages 5-12 to submit a 2-3 minute video of you cooking a rice-based dish with your children. For more info on the contest, please check out Ben’s Beginners on Facebook!

About Uncle Ben’s
Uncle Ben’s~the number one rice brand in America, is proud to offer a wide range of rice dishes with flavors and textures that will help bring more to your meals, both for convenient side dishes and savory main courses. Uncle Ben’s® offers a wide variety of white, whole grain brown, and flavored rices in cook times ranging from 30 minutes to 90 seconds, as well as rice for food service operations such as restaurants, schools and hospitals. The first mass-produced parboiled rice, Uncle Ben’s® is the top-selling branded rice in the United States and products can be found in more than 100 countries worldwide. Uncle Ben’s® Brand products are manufactured by Mars Food NA, part of Mars, Incorporated. For more information, visit www.UncleBens.com.

Find them on Facebook

Check out recipe ideas from Uncle Ben’s.

What are you waiting for? Go enter now!

{“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Uncle Ben’s blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”}

From Our Hearts To Yours Giveaway Hop 2/14

2012-02-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

Welcome to From Our Hearts To Yours hosted by by Life With Two Boys, With Our Best, and Mama-Nibbles.

There are over 100 bloggers participating in this hop, and each blogger has their own prize package of at least $25 worth of Valentine-related items! So after you have entered my giveaway, I encourage you to hop along and see what the other bloggers are giving away~I am sure that you will find some great goodies along the way.

~My Giveaway!~

I love coffee~I could not start my day without it. I have been been enjoying Godiva Chocolate for quite some time but just recently found out that they also make coffee! It's True~Godiva Coffee is here. And~this is no ordinary coffee I am talking about,I am talking about some Awesome coffee! This stuff is great,I have been enjoying so many flavors that it is hard to pick a favorite.But I am going to have to say that the Chocolate Truffle is my favorite,as it tastes just like my favorite candy from Godiva! Godiva Coffee contains 100% Arabica coffee and the flavorings also do not contain sugar. So~you can enjoy 2 of your favorites without all the calories!

***Win a Godiva Special Valentine'sGift Pack!***
{Included will be Dark Chocolate Raspberry Coffee gift pack, Roasted Almond Coffee Gift Pack, Godiva Chocolatier Tumbler and a Godiva Chocolatier apron.}

Please Enter Below~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{I was sent a Sample Pack Of Godiva Coffee to review.No monies were offered or accepted. All above opinion are my own.}

#Bertolli Make It A Meal Challenge

2012-01-31T20:18:00.000-06:00

I was recently given the challenge to Make a Weeknight Meal Special with Bertolli Meal Soups. The meal had to be prepared in less then one hour is the catch. I was not worried~as once I see how meaty the soup was I knew that we would just need a few sides to add to the meal.

We choose the Tuscan~Style Beef & Vegetables as that sounded like that best one to us. And~It must be good as it was the last one at the store! What I loved about the Tuscan Soup was that is was first of all,so easy to make and second that it was loaded with veggies! As we love a big hearty~soup and Bertolli didn't disappoint!

Made with Tender beef, mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini, carrots and celery with bowtie pasta in a rich broth. It was so easy to make too~just add a cup of water to the soup in a pan and it is ready in just minutes. I loved all the veggies as the soup tasted like homemade without all the work!

We had a side salad and rolls that I had in the freezer that I just put in the oven. Figured as long as I had the oven on,I mights as well mix up a German Chocolate Cake too~as doesn't hurt to have dessert on a weeknight.

Our meal took about 45 minutes to prepare thanks to the great start from Berotti. As this soup was awesome! Are you looking for a quick hearty soup? You have to try the Bertolli Meal Soup too.

More about the Bertolli Meal Soups~

Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups are hearty and fresh-tasting with vegetables, meats, pasta and herbs individually flash frozen at the peak of freshness.They are available in the frozen aisle, and can be prepared on your stovetop in minutes.

Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups are available in four varieties~

Chicken Minestrone~ Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta ~Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, and Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables.

I can't wait to try the rest of the others now! What about you~what would you add to make it a meal?

Learn more about Bertolli Meal Soups You can find them on~

Facebook: facebook.com/Bertolli

Twitter: twitter.com/Bertolli

Website: villabertolli.com

{ I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge}

Smart and Sexy Winner!

2012-01-30T20:18:00.000-06:00

We Have The Winner Of the Smart and Sexy Giveaway!

Congrats to~

Nancy D.

{Number~#12}

I have sent a email and you have 48 hours to respond.

Not you that won?!? No worries~I have many more new things all the time so please stop back!

Celtic Woman Giveaway-3 Winners! 2/15

2012-01-27T15:40:00.000-06:00

~Celtic Woman~

In just a few short years, the unique musical ensemble known as Celtic Woman has emerged as both a spectacular commercial success and a genuine cultural phenomenon.

Celtic Woman is an all-female singing sensation featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt. They perform classic Irish songs {“The Water Is Wide,” “Green Grow the Rushes"} timeless pop anthems {“Bridge Over Troubled Water"}~and inspirational songs {“You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Ave Maria”} with their signature Celtic Woman twist.

The live concert DVD was filmed for the first time in America in front of some of their most loyal fans during two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA this past September.

The group is the product of the musical vision of David Downes, who had previously been musical director of the pioneering Irish-themed stage show Riverdance. The group has sold over seven million albums and DVD worldwide.

You can purchase Believe on Amazon with the links below~

CD~http://amzn.to/ApYdyE

DVD~ http://amzn.to/wle58F

You can also see Celtic Women's Tour Dates Here~

http://www.celticwoman.com/north-american-tour-dates-2012/

~My Giveaway!~

***I Have Three Prizes For 3 Of You To Win!***

One Signed Copy Of the Believe CD

One Signed Copy Of the Believe DVD

and

Two Tickets To See Them Live!

{Please check tour dates to make sure that they are in a city near you~so we can get the tickets}

Please Enter Below~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{I will be sent a copy of the CD and DVD to review.No monies were offered or accepted. }

Farm Rich Giveaway Winners!

2012-01-26T11:53:00.000-06:00

Congrats To~

Debbie J

{Number~#299}

and

Rebecca S

{Number~#353}

You Have Both Won A Coupon From Farm Rich!!

I have sent a email and you have 48 hours to respond.

Not the winner this time?!? No worries~Stop by again as there are new things all the time!

Sunglass Warehouse Review and Giveaway 2/13

2012-01-25T23:24:00.000-06:00

I wear sunglasses all the time~I have quite a few pair but I am always looking for more. Sunglass Warehouse has the best selection of "sunglasses for women" that I have ever seen!

They have all the colors that you can think of and so many styles~from Aviator Sunglasses to Sport Sunglasses. Best of all~their sunglasses are under $20.00 with Same Day Shipping~and it is FREE if your order is over $25.00.

If you are looking for a place to get the designer look without the designer place~You found it!
Not sure what sunglasses are best for you? They have a solution~Check out the page where you can choose the perfect sunglasses for your skin tone and face shape.

Since Sunglass Warehouse was founded in 2002, their goal has been to provide an affordable alternative to high-priced designer sunglasses. They think it's important to offer customers the latest styles and the fashions they want, so they are always adding new products to their website and listening to customer feedback. Whether it's discount celebrity sunglasses or fashionable sun readers, you can find the most popular styles - for men and for women~at Sunglass Warehouse.
Plus, when ordering from Sunglass Warehouse, you can count on customer service being a priority. Every product on the site is housed in their warehouse in Greenwood, Indiana~they ship every pair of sunglasses their-selves with a focus on fast delivery.

I was sent the Bifocal Reading Sunglasses in Purple and I love them!

{Style #55440}

The bifocal reading sunglasses have tinted lenses and also UV400 protection in additional to small sections of magnification on the bottom. I wear these when I go outside and also when I am driving and they are Perfect! I couldn't ask for a better pair of sunglasses~Not to mention that they look like I spent a fortune on them. They are so well made~and with the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee there is no reason for you not to order too!

You can find Sunglass Warehouse on their blog here.

~My Giveaway!~

***One of You Will Win a $20.00 Gift Certificate to Sunglass Warehouse!***

Please Enter Below~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{I was sent the Sunglass Warehouse sunglasses for review.No monies were offered or accepted. All above opinions are my own.}

Cane Expressions Winner!

2012-01-25T12:27:00.000-06:00

Congrats to~

Donna D

{Number~#17}

You have won the Cane Expressions Cover!!

I have sent a email and you have 48 hours to respond.

Not the winner this time?!? No worries~I have many more new things in store so please stop by again.

Redbox Movie Awards Facebook Game and Giveaway 2/11

2012-01-24T20:20:00.000-06:00

Redbox is America's destination for movies and video games. With more than 28,000 locations nationwide, Redbox is the fun, fast, easy way to rent the latest new release movies on DVD or Blu-ray and the top new releases of family video games. Featuring up to 200 titles and 630 discs~You are sure to find something that will appeal to the whole family. Right now~Redbox is having a Facebook Game!

Redbox kicked off awards season with its first annual 2011 Movie Awards. Presented by Redbox and Movie Awards Facebook Game~now’s your chance to get in on the action and vote for who will take home this year’s most coveted awards. Whether it’s the Golden Globes, SAG or Oscars, movie fans can now share their votes on Redbox and celebrate the fun of movies biggest season! Sharing the fun challenge with your Facebook friends is easy with this interactive game AND those who predict accurately can win free Redbox rentals for 1 month, 2 years or 3 years!

Don’t forget that now you can purchase Redbox gifts anytime of the year as a thank you, get well or just no reason, feel good fun! Visit http://bit.ly/uqDw4a to buy bundles of DVD and game rentals for your friends and family via email, text message or Facebook.

~My Giveaway!~

***Win 3 Free Movie Rental Codes For Redbox!***

Please Enter Below~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{ I was sent Redbox Codes for posting about this from Redbox and Smiley360. No monies were offered or accepted. All above opinions are my own.}

Blog Tour-Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

2012-01-23T00:01:00.001-06:00

~Chasing Mona Lisa~

It is August 1944 and Paris is on the cusp of liberation. As the soldiers of the Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country, stealing countless pieces of art. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one of all, the Mona Lisa, as a post-war bargaining chip to get him to South America. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler rescue DaVinci's masterpiece before it falls into German hands?

With nonstop action~Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get readers' adrenaline pumping as they join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh country chateau, the race is on~and the runners are playing for keeps.

This book was a great read,as it was set in France during World War II. It was interesting to read everything that they through to keep the Mona Lisa from the hands of the Nazis. I like that there is suspense and romance was in there too! I think it is a great read for anyone~old and young alike. As some things in the book I knew~some were new to me.

About the Authors
Tricia Goyer is the coauthor of The Swiss Courier as well as the author of many other books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW’s Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Arkansas. For more about Tricia and her other books visit www.triciagoyer.com.
Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including The Swiss Courier and the bestselling Every Man’s Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California. For more about Mike and his other books visit www.mikeyorkey.com.

See Other Reviews on The Blog Tour Here

Win an iTouch SPY Pack in the Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway from @triciagoyer @mikeyorkey!

Chasing Mona Lisa is the continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in The Swiss Courier). This time the due are on a relentless quest to save the most famous painting in the world - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

One passionate protector will receive:

iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)
Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)
Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)
Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on January 31st. The winner will be announced at the Chasing Mona Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away their books and a Book Club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike.)

So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (do you know how to pick a lock?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

{I was sent a copy of Chasing Mona Lisa to review. No monies were offered or exchanged. All above opinions are my own.}

A Mile In His Shoes DVD Review and Giveaway 2/10

2012-01-21T21:44:00.000-06:00

~A Mile in His Shoes~

From the director of "Angels In the Outfield" comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book "The Legend of Mickey Tussler".

Only a miracle can help baseball coach Arthur 'Murph' Murphy (Dean Cain) and his losing minor league baseball team. As Murph sets out to recruit new talent for the team, he stumbles upon Mickey (Luke Schroder), a young farmer with an incredible pitcher's arm. However, Mickey's parents are reluctant in allowing him to join the team because he has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey's parents that life in the minor league will benefit their unique son, but he doesn't realize just how much his new recruit will help the team s game and, more importantly, their spirit. Based on a true story, Thomas Kinknade Presents: A Mile in His Shoes is an inspirational film that celebrates faith, determination and the power of friendship.

This is a great movie to watch with the whole family. I really liked the Dean Cain~he played the part of Murph very well. He was so gentle with Mickey and had the others being friends with him in no time. it portrays a great message~That is OK to be different. I like that it is a true story too. Have the tissues handy~as you are going to need them in this one.

~My Giveaway!~

***Win A Mile In His Shoes DVD For Your Own!***

{Please Enter Below}

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{ “Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers I am disclosing this in accordance

with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”}

Chicken Soup For The Soul-Devotional Stories For Tough Times Winners!

2012-01-21T10:53:00.000-06:00

Congrats To The Following~

#15~Andrea

#157~Jenny

#152~mrs shukra

You have won a copy of Chicken Soup For The Soul-Devotional Stories For Tough Times!!

I have sent a email and you have 48 hours to respond.

Not you that won this time?!? No worries~I have many new things all the time so please stop by again!

Hasbro's Annual Fun and Game Event

2012-01-19T22:10:00.000-06:00

Hasbro's Annual Fun and Game Event is happening now!
Are you looking for great savings and amazing daily deals on some of your favorite Hasbro toys and games, then check out Hasbro's Annual Fun and Game Event going on now! You (U.S. only) can register today at www.hasbro.com/fun to print over $125 in coupons (quantities are limited) and get access to incredible daily deals. All daily deals include free shipping!
Also during the event:
Kids, ages 6 - 13, can also get in on the action by playing games for a chance to win hourly prizes from their favorite brands, such as My Little Pony, FurReal Friends, Littlest Pet Shop, Beyblade, Nerf, Transformers, Connect 4, Bop It! and Simon Flash.

Go! Go! Sports Girl Review and Giveaway 2/9

2012-01-19T13:12:00.000-06:00

Dream Big Toy Company created Go! Go! Sports Girls as a fun and educational way to promote self-appreciation and the benefits of daily exercise, healthy eating and sleeping habits, self-esteem and overall healthy life-skills for girls ages 3-12. The image is innocent with a subtle, yet strong message~ appreciate and be true to yourself.

I like the fact that each doll is made with a high quality cloth. Each one has sport in mind and that they are soft and just so cute. No makeup~no fancy clothes just a perfect little doll for your perfect little princess!

~The Go! Go! Sports Girls~

There are eleven Go! Go! Sports Girls to choose from. Each of the eleven dolls has an inspiring message embroidered on their tummy and each doll comes with a backpack and appropriate equipment.

We Choose MC as my granddaughter take dance and thought that this would be a perfect fit~and I was right.

M.C. loves to move and groove! She likes to dance because it makes her feel free. She enjoys all types of dance, but Hip-Hop is her favorite. Before dancing she always stretches and eats a healthy snack, like strawberries. When she is not dancing, M.C. likes playing the piano and practicing her cheerleading moves.

She is just the right size for her to carry around and she just loves that she can take the clothes off and put them in the backpack! I am sure that this is going to be a favorite doll for years to come.

~My Giveaway!~

***Win A Go! Go! Sports Of Your Own!***

Please Enter Below~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{I was sent the Go! Go! Sports Girl to review. No monies were offered or accepted. All above opinions are my own.}

The Art of Getting By DVD Winner!

2012-01-18T07:29:00.000-06:00

Congrats To~

Cheryl A

{Number~#3}

You Have Won The Art Of Getting By DVD!!

I have sent a email and you have 48 hours to respond please.

Not you that won this time?!? Not to worry~Stop by again as I have many more new things all the time!

SmartBones Review and Giveaway 2/5-Two Winners!

2012-01-17T12:28:00.001-06:00

Do you have a dog? If you do,chances are that they have tried many treats and bones. But have they tried SmartBones yet?

What are SmartBones?
The Smart Alternative to Rawhide SmartBones is the next generation dog chew that has all the benefits of a rawhide chew~without the rawhide.

Great taste
Safe~rawhide-free
Made with real, dried chicken breast
Chewing activity promotes healthy dental care
First chew of its kind to be fortified with vitamins and minerals

SmartBones dog chews are available in three flavors~chicken, peanut butter and dental.

We were sent some Smartbones for our 2 little ones to try and let me tell you,I couldn't get them open enough. They loved them, and I feel good knowing that they are good for them! As soon as they got the little bones they both took off to their beds and really enjoyed it for quite some time. This is one of the best things that we have gotten for the dogs as other bones that we were buying were not good for them. No more rawhide in our house~we are firm believers in SmartBones now. How about you? Would you like to try some for your dog?

No matter Big or Small~SmartBones Has it All! There are sizes for all the dogs in your home!

~My Giveaway!~

***2 of You Will Win A Package Of Bones To Try For Your Dog Too!!***

{SmartBones will send the appropriate size}

Please Enter Below~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{I was sent the SmartBones to review. No monies were offered or accepted. All above opinions are my own.}

Extreme Cash Giveaway! 2/12

2012-01-16T00:04:00.001-06:00

It’s time for an EXTREME CASH GIVEAWAY! I have teamed up with my blogger friends to bring you an extreme cash prize. One lucky winner will receive $500 in their Paypal account at the end of this giveaway!

To enter, simply follow each of our blogs via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and any other way you’d like! All the links are provided for you and you can do as many as you choose. This giveaway ends 2/12/12 at 11:59 pm EST and is open worldwide.

You only need to enter this giveaway on one of our blogs -- good luck!

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