Mad Moose Mama

HASBRO ~ KRE~O BATTLESHIP ALIEN STRIKE Set

2012-05-26T10:43:00.000-04:00

Hasbro, Inc., the global branded play company, will turn another of its timeless brands into a multi~media entertainment property this year with the release of the Universal Studio's film BATTLESHIP.

Hasbro is celebrating this experience of the hot new film, directed by Peter Berg, with an action~packed line of BATTLESHIP toys ~ both in the gaming realm, where the BATTLESHIP brand originated, and in a brand new line of KRE~O building sets ~ as well as an expansive line of licensed goods.

ARV ~ $34.99

Pretend to battle the aliens alongside KREON Hopper just like the BATTLESHIP movie's most intense scenes with the ALIEN STRIKE set.

Take control of the military attack boat and lead the fight against the alien warship, while avoiding its vicious capture claw and dangerous flick~fire missiles.

The alien warship also features a main cockpit and a second gunnner station.

Includes 277 bricks, attack boat, and four KREON figures. Boat is not intended for water. Recommended ages 7 & up.

In this household, KRE~O and their ilk are very popular in this household with two boys who love to build and create using their imaginations.

My oldest son was all agog over the design and pieces that he was able to create with. He followed the instructions with very few frustrations and was able to complete his masterpiece and was very proud as he showed me the finished work compared to the picture on the box.

My youngest son aided his older brother in the construction by handing pieces from the marked bags and therefore, learning how to follow instructions at the tutelage of his older brother. It truly was a groovy brother bonding moment~!!

I myself am not impressed with all the pieces parts that have to be accounted for...if any of you have ever stepped on one of these, then you know what I am talking about here...lol They hurt when its unexpected~!!

However, I would put up with the pain just to enjoy watching the boys work their magic and create what they were hoping, was an exact replica of the model shown.

They had a couple of pieces left over but my oldest boy assured me that it always happens. He builds a LOT of inventions, I have many around the house that I have kept, so your just going to have to believe him. :)

If you have a child who loves to build and who truly digs the thought of putting one over on the alien invasion, then this is one beauty set to have and enjoy.

The price is wonderful, IMHO, with six children, you tend to get VERY frugal in your shopping and for the cost, it would be well worth every penny. Utilizing the brain in a positive way is not only a good parental thing to enable, but your child's future will depend upon it.

Head on over to HASBRO and check out KRE~O's newest invasion, BATTLESHIP ALIEN STRIKE Set...you kids will LOVE you for it~!!

Ink Garden ~ Free For Dad

2012-05-25T15:10:00.000-04:00

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The Clymb - 70% Gear & Outdoor Equipment

2012-05-25T15:07:00.001-04:00

JOIN Today for Great Savings & Deals 70% BELOW the Retail Price~!!

Do YOU Know Where They Are # 3~??

2012-05-25T13:36:00.001-04:00

Have YOU seen Yvonne King??

Yvonne King

Date of Birth: Unknown ~ 40 yrs. old @ time of disappearance

Hair Colour: Brown

Eye Colour: Brown

Missing Since: October 13, 2002

Missing From: Fox Harbour, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland

Last known information:

Yvonne was last seen on October 13, 2002 @ approximately 5:00 p.m. while walking on the Main Road in Fox Harbour, Placentia Bay.

She had been living with her boyfriend in the Gould's area of Fox Harbour and has one daughter.

No activity has been used on her bank account, nor any contact made with family members.

There were tips that she was last seen in Conception Bay South and St. John's, a few days after her disappearance.

Identifying features:

5'4"

222 lbs.

Wears GLASSES

Sometimes has blonde highlights in her hair

Wearing Navy Cords

Light Beige Blouse with long sleeves and prints upon it

Black Shoes

If you have any information on Yvonne King, contact the RCMP in Placentia at 709-227-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

RCMP contact person: Cst. Laura Bemrose, Placentia/ Whitbourne District RCMP 709-227-2000.

BOOK REVIEW: Summer Fit Series Grade 3 ~ 4

2012-05-25T12:32:00.000-04:00

Summer Fit: Exercises for the Brain and Body While Away from School

Author: Kelly Terrill and Sarria James
Paperback: 125 pages
Publisher: Monkey Feather Books; Worldbook Edition (April 2011)
Recommended ages: Grades 3 ~ 4
Language: English

Activities in reading, writing, math and language arts.

Daily exercises focus on aerobic, strength and sport to challenge the body~!!

Core Value activities highlight the lives of inspirational leaders including Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa and Ghandi to build social and life skills~!!

Sign up for the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Active Bodies Active Minds program at summerfitlearning.com or MLSsoccer.com/abam and be eligible to win autographed merchandise from Major League Soccuer clubs and players~!!

Children can lose up to 2.5 months of classroom skills during the summer vacation while at the same time becoming less physically active without school and classroom routines.

Available for Preschool to Grade 5. Based on National Standards and teacher recommended.

Get Your School Moving with a Purpose ~ jdrf.org/kidswalk

I absolutely LOVE these series of books. I had the privilege of reviewing the Summer Fit Grades 1~2 last year and was very happy to be on board for this tour also.

My youngest daughter LOVES to participate and excel with exercise type books. She was very excited when this arrived and remembered from last year when she helped me review the Summer Fit Grades 1~2 book.

Each exercise program is broken down by weeks, highlighting each day during the week and exercises for that day to help keep your child's brain stimulated. You will get a preview page explaining what is coming up for the week and what you will be focusing upon.

Then you have to write down three things each week to show your value. From there you will have a brain exercise and a physical exercise. Each exercise page gives one a choice of three activities to participate with from easy to hard. Then back to the brain as one focus' on math questions. Simple and easy and gives your child just enough stimulation to keep the brain's muscle working correctly.

Also dispersed throughout the pages are memorable and inspirational quotes from many people of all walks of life. Terry Fox, Rosa Parks, and Lewis & Clark are but a few of the people who share their thoughts. Plus you learn groovy things about surfing, the world and so much more~!!

The whole process wouldn't take any more than half an hour a day and your child truly doesn't feel like they are doing school work. The activities are fun, educational and inspirational too~!!

** Reviewed by me...as I see it~!! **

How Students can Start their School Week Right

2012-05-25T09:51:00.000-04:00

I was once a student too. Most of us are looking forward for a great weekend. Hence, everyone is practically checking their watches during the last subjects every Friday.

All those excitements turn into semi – depression once Sunday night comes in. Well, that’s not surprising. With the anticipation of the long school week, you can’t help but get sad. However, that shouldn’t be the case.

Do you know that it is now a privilege to go to school? A lot of kids are out of school because of the bad economy. Their families would just allot the money for food rather than for education. So instead of getting sad every Sunday nights, just learn to start your week right.

The most obvious question is, how can you do it? That’s very simple. I have some tips on how you can start your week right. Believe me, before you know it, it’s already Friday again!

Socialize on Friday nights. For me, this is the best time to go out. You can party with your friends and catch a movie with your partners. While you’re at it, you can forget about school. This is recommended so you can refuel for the next week. If you will go out and yet, you are still thinking about school, then what’s the use? Focus on one activity so you can truly enjoy.

Do your school works on Saturdays. Based on experience, I would love to do my assignments and reports on Saturdays. And if I have some reading to do, I do it as well. Some students will protest thinking that they have Sundays to do all their school chores. Yes, that can be done. But what if you missed something, what if you need to redo all your reports? Obviously, you will need to cram on Sundays. And that’s the exact reason why you get so depressed on Sundays. It’s because you feel that you have so much to do. However, if you try to finish the reports on Saturdays, then you’ll have lesser worries.

Relax on Sundays. Stop partying hard. It’s about time that you hit the spa or do your shopping routine. If you think that you have done all your homework, then you’ll feel more relaxed. This is your way of recharging. And I can assure you, that would last for the whole week.

The key word here is balance. As you can see, the tips above allow you to have fun, right? I wouldn’t want you to drown yourself in books too. That can be very painful in the head. But of course, you are still a student. Students are expected to, well, study. Again, I would like to reiterate that it is a privilege to study. Make the most out of it instead of getting tired of going to classes.

Toni Okeson is a mother of 2 and would always give great advices to her kids. She puts value in education. In fact, she is now contributing to a well – known welding colleges site.

Sweet'n'Treats ~ Graduation Day Cake & Cupcake Toppers PLUS Free Gift

2012-05-24T22:23:00.000-04:00

Looking for something special to make the day more memorable?

Have you thought about custom~made edible cake and/or cupcake toppers??

If you order any of Sweet'n'Treats Graduation themed cake toppers, cake borders, or cupcake toppers, you will receive FREE sprinkles~!!

You can even match school colours~!!

Choice of Pink, Yellow, Purple, Lime Green, Blue, Orange, Red or Green sprinkles.

During checkout, add your sprinkle colour choice in the "COMMENTS" section~!!

** Sponsor Spotlight~!! **

Shoe Carnival Memorial Weekend Coupon Promotion

2012-05-24T16:54:00.000-04:00

Get $10 off every $50 you spend May 25 - May 28 at Shoe Carnival.

Quiznos Coupons ~ $2.99 Combo Meals

2012-05-24T16:51:00.000-04:00

Print a coupon for any small sub, chips and regular fountain drink for $2.99.

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2012-05-24T16:49:00.000-04:00

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AmericanFamily.com $50,000 Sweepstakes 3

2012-05-24T16:46:00.000-04:00

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Ink Garden 6-Foot banner $11.99 Shipped!

2012-05-24T16:41:00.000-04:00

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PRODUCT REVIEW: Treat ~ Father's Day Cards

2012-05-24T15:06:00.001-04:00

It’s almost June and time to start celebrating the contribution that fathers and father figures make for their children’s lives.

I remember as a child going camping every Father's Day, my Dad was a HUGE outdoorsman and whenever there was opportunity we were traversing in nature.

I remember in grade school making some of the neatest things for my Daddy, like homemade cards that he always displayed with love and handmade macrame artworks that he always put somewhere to be displayed with pride.

I remember going through my Daddy's things after he passed away and becoming very emotional when I came across some of the things my sisters and my children had made for him over the years. I never knew how much he cherished his gifts from his children and grand~children.

If any of you are looking for a groovy online site in which to purchase a Father's Day card for your Dad, Grandfather, Brother, Significant other or what have you, then Treat is the place where "cards get personal".

I found the ordering process to be quite simple, the directions are straight~forward and very easy to follow. You can add personal touches, such as, photo's, your own words and phrases, you have total control over what you wish to place upon the card.

After your editing is done to your satisfaction, you proceed to the checkout where you can opt to have Treat mail the card to your recipient for you, or you can opt to have the card sent to yourself and you can forward it to the appropriate person in your life.

I found pages and pages of designs to choose from, there is truly something there for everyone, from the serious to the humorous, you cannot go wrong in finding a card to complete your message of love with.

There are several other neat features one can apply if they wish. You can opt to have a gift card added to your Father's Day card if you wish, from popular places such as Amazon, iTunes, Target and many more.

You can choose to have reminders set up or import them from Facebook so that you will never have to miss another important moment again.

You can also schedule your cards for up to one year, taking the onus off your shoulders to remember at the last minute to take care of your loved ones.

AND...your VERY first Treat card is FREE~!! All you need to do is use the code FREETREAT at the checkout and you can check out for yourself what an awesome site this is. And it's not all about Father's Day cards either...they have cards for EVERY situation~!!

Oh...one thing that is not groovy, is that the FREE card is only available for folks from the United States as they don't have International shipping happening...but I do believe its in the works, so stayed tuned for any updates concerning the shipping practices at Treat.

And if you got a moment...the folks at Treat LOVE to make new friends...so connect with them today~!!

Ask your readers to follow the Treat social channels:

· Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TreatCards

· Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/treatcards

· Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/treatcards/

· Google+: https://plus.google.com/b/117542183382899885395/

** Reviewed by me

Campbell's ~ HELP Hunger Disappear~!!

2012-05-24T12:13:00.000-04:00

Hunger is a complex issue, but we can all do our part to help. With close to a million Canadians turning to food banks for support, a little help can go a long way.

Visit Campbell Canada's Facebook page and HELP hunger disappear~!!

Campbell's Canada will donate 1 bag of food equivalent to 5 lbs. of food on your behalf JUST for liking their page~!!

Easy peasy...right?! Soooo...what ARE you waiting for?? ;)

Comestic Dentists ~ A History Of Smiles~!!

2012-05-24T11:22:00.000-04:00

Cosmetic Dentists have been around since the beginning of civilization in the Indus Valley circa 7000 B.C. In those days craftsmen would use bow drills to correct necessary teeth abnormalities, and we still use such techniques to this day.

Ancient Sumerian texts dating 500 B.C. had spoke in detail on worm tooth and how to solve the issues therein, as well there were also such practices in China, India, Japan and Egypt. One of the most common ancient cosmetic dentistry procedures was teeth whitening, even in our yester~years, having white teeth was very important to one's overall appearance as it signified one's wealth and status. Early uses of acids and even urine were used to create white teeth and replacement teeth were often made of wood.

As early as the 6th or 7th century, the Etruscans were using gold bands to help wrap replacement teeth into the mouths of their patients, sometimes these teeth were made of wood, however, sometimes they were from an ox and or even human teeth were used.

Toothbrushes have been in recorded use since the 14th century and were usually made of animal hair and unsanitary in its useage and it wasn't until 1938, when DuPont created the first nylon toothbrush, that dental hygiene took a rise as tooth upkeep was made more readily available to everyone and not just an advantage for the wealthy.

The Aztecs used to mix iron fillings, navel lint bake and water and insert that into cavities in order to stop tooth decay. In the past fillings were made from gold, amalgam and other metals but today teeth are usually set with porcelain or other similar substances that closely mimics your own tooth's surface.

Cosmetic dentists offer many services to any dental work that improves your appearance and not necessarily your teeth's overall functions. Common cosmetic practices include teeth whitening, tooth reshaping, bonding, dental bridges, bite reclamations, implants, gum lifts and veneers to name just a few of the options available to better improve your smile

Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way from the days of using other people's teeth secured in your mouth to look and feel better about yourself, however, practices from yesterday are still in practice today, showing that sometimes things just aren't meant to be fixed.

** This is a sponsored post for Dental Bliss, however, all the points and views are my own. **

How to Survive a Bear Encounter

2012-05-24T09:47:00.000-04:00

If you are out in the woods there are times when you may come in contact with a bear. Often times people will be enough to frighten a bear away. If they are noisy enough they will not even know that they were ever close to a bear. However this is not always the case, sometimes bears approach people, so here are some general guidelines if you encounter a bear.

First you should determine what kind of bear you are dealing with. Black bears and grizzly bears respond differently to different stimuli. If you can determine which type of bear you are dealing with it will help you to make the best decisions for how to proceed.

cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo shared by Tambako the Jaguar

Black Bears
If you are dealing with a black bear and you have some space between you and him, and get a little loud. Say things like, “Get out of here. Go away bear.” You can also hit a couple of rocks or sticks together, or whatever else you find. If the bear starts to approach you further, use your bear spray, which you should carry with you when in bear country. If the bear comes even closer you might try throwing some of those rocks and sticks at him. If that does not work and the worst happens stand your ground. In the worst case scenario, if the bear attacks fight it back. You should punch the bear in the face and nose and claw and dig at the eyes. Kick, hit and fight for your life.

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography

Grizzly Bears
However this is not how you handle an encounter with a grizzly. Grizzlies are more aggressive and should be handled differently. If you encounter a grizzly you want to determine the distance between you and the bear first. If he is far enough away just talk in a calm voice and announce that you know he is there. If possible back slowly out of the area and make sure not to run or turn your back to the bear. If the bear comes within 25 feet of you, now is the time to use the bear spray. Bears do not like the smell and it should encourage them to leave. If that does not work then stand your ground. Stand up straight and look as big as you can, not challenging the bear, just big. If the bear comes toward you in a curious way stand your ground and the bear spray. If that does not work and you are attacked, then you should cover your neck and lay flat on your stomach or in the fetal position, as you want to protect your stomach and neck from the bear.

If you encounter either of these bears, remain calm, stand your ground, and handle the situation as it plays out.

Written by JustRopes.com, where climbing experts shop.

Beauty, Thinness and the Photoshopped Model

2012-05-24T09:42:00.000-04:00

The camera doesn't lie. That old adage stopped being true some time ago. Photoshop and other image editing programs make it increasingly difficult to tell where reality stops and artistry—or deception—begins.

Nowhere is this more obvious than in the world of fashion. While you're highly unlikely to run into Photoshopped plumbing fixtures, Mustang parts, or kitchenware online, Photoshopped models are a dime a dozen, presuming the dime was actually a quarter that was Photoshopped down to a smaller size.

Perfect Isn’t Good Enough
Portrayals of the ideal woman as a tall, skinny size 0 have dominated popular media for years, resulting in untold numbers of eating disorders and body image issues. The average woman weighs approximately 23 percent more than the average female model. When the average dress size in American is a size 14, a constant stream of supermodels who meet the physical requirements for anorexia can’t help but have a negative effect.

And just when you think society's notions of beauty and thinness couldn't get any worse, along came Adobe Photoshop. Now let's be clear—photo editing, touch up and air-brushing have been standard parts of the photography trade for years. With Photoshop, however, suddenly even the thinnest model could be made to look even thinner. "Perfect" is no longer good enough.

You See, but You Do Not Observe
Sherlock Holmes leveled that criticism at Dr. Watson, and the same can be said of many of us. It's telling that many model pictures have been so obviously, and badly, Photoshopped. It's not unusual to see edited images of women who quite literally appear to have the same physical dimensions as Barbie, and we all know their backs would snap like a twig if it was real.

Yet people often overlook even the most outrageously Photoshopped images, even when a woman's waist is reduced to a narrower size than her head. As a culture, we're so accustomed to seeing Barbie measurements on dolls, cartoons, and in art that apparently we're willing to accept them as real on a fashion model.

And some Photoshopped images are, indeed, terribly done. Take for instance a widely-publicized picture of model Kate Moss and her daughter, where an overzealous airbrusher left Moss' daughter with only two fingers and a thumb. The photo makes it look like the daughter's hand is merging with her mother's back. And that was one of the more subtle mistakes you see in these images.

Photoshop is a valid editing tool, and has plenty of great applications. However, reducing models' waists to pencil-thin diameters shouldn’t be one of those applications. We don’t expect digitally-altered kitchenware or Photoshopped classic Mustang parts models. Why should we accept Photoshopped people?

Now that you know more about Photoshopped models, expand your horizons and consider learning more about Mustang parts. Post written by guest blogger Michael McGrath.

5 Essential Tools For Your Next Outdoor Adventure

2012-05-24T09:32:00.000-04:00

cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by Al_HikesAZ

When planning any outdoor outing it is essential to always pack the right gear for whatever activity you are going to be doing. You would not go boating without a lifejacket or hiking without a canteen or pack for water. There are some essential tools that you should never be without if you are going to be outdoors. These tools can get you out of sticky situations and can be used for the most basic needs that anyone in a survival situation could need. And let’s just face it; whenever you are outdoors your adventure could turn into a survival situation relatively quickly.

Knife
So what five tools should you always have with you when you are on an outdoor adventure? I would always start with a knife. Pocket knives are great and convenient for everyday use and they will work if that is all that you have, but given the choice, survival knives are going to better to have with you than a plain old pocket knife or even a Swiss Army knife. A separate multi tool is always good to have, but a dedicated knife is essential.

cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by s_mac

Fire Starting Kit
A knife will cover protection, cleaning fish and food. Now we need to cover cooking and warmth. The next tool for that job would be a fire starting magnesium stick. There are many basic types on the market and most of them can start a fire even in slightly damp conditions. Choosing one that can work in wet conditions though your best bet. This will give you a better chance at starting a fire in case you get caught in a rain storm or your supplies get wet.

Water and Food
The next two tools go hand and hand because they tackle the same need. Everyone must have water to survive. You should always have water purification tablets with you. Boiling water will work in a pinch, but for the best results your water should always be purified if you are getting it from an unfamiliar source. A canteen or water carrying device is needed in order to carry water, so you will need one of these as well. The last essential that I would add to this list is pouched, prepared food. I know that may sound just a little weird to some, but it is always smart to have an energy bar or trail mix or something with you just in case.

Written by JustRopes.com, the online leader in climbing ropes and other safety equipment.

Carpenter Ants Q & A

2012-05-24T09:25:00.001-04:00

Carpenter ants are commonly incorrectly identified and misunderstood pests. Knowing a few things about what they eat, how they behave, and what they look like will help you get rid of carpenter ants and keep them out of your house for good. The following are some commonly asked questions that will help you better understand carpenter ants:

Q: What size are carpenter ants?
A: Carpenter ants vary in size from as small as a quarter of an inch and as large as an entire inch. Mostly they are larger than regular ants, which will help you tell them apart from other ants and bugs.

Q: How are carpenter ants different from termites?
A: Termites eat wood, whereas carpenter ants only remove the wood to build their homes and nesting sites. It is a common misconception that carpenter ants eat wood; they do not. A good way to determine if you have termites or carpenter ants is by looking at the affected wood. Because termites eat wood, they do not leave a trail of sawdust or any remaining wood. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, will leave small neat piles of the sawdust they have excavated.

Q: What do carpenter ants eat?
A: A carpenter ant’s diet is very similar to other ants. Their affinity for sugars, syrups, and crumbs is often a factor in leading them into your home. While in nature they feed on dead insects mostly, they heavily forage on food scraps, sweets, meat, and fat.

Q: Where do carpenter ants live?
A: Carpenter ants live both indoors and outdoors. They prefer moist, woody habitats such as in dead and rotting wood. Inside wood they build tunnels, called galleries, which interconnect and allow them to freely move from place to place within the wood. High moisture areas are most likely to by infested by carpenter ants.

Q: How do I keep carpenter ants out of my house?
A: The best way to keep your home free of carpenter ants is to avoid moisture build-up, and treat areas that are high moisture. These areas usually include wood surrounding pipes, rain gutters, water-using appliances such as your washing machine and dishwasher. Make sure your air circulation system is working properly and that humidity is not building up in certain areas of your home. Look for dead wood on your home and be sure to remove and replace it as soon as you notice it.

For more information about carpenter ant control please visit www.domyownpestcontrol.com.

The Vintage Festival is the return of Groovy

2012-05-24T09:20:00.000-04:00

This year’s Vintage Festival looks set to blow all the others out of the water. 60’s Icon Twiggy will be hosting the festival and there is no-one who could embody vintage as well as Twiggy did. Twiggy was the androgynous model who took the fashion world by storm. She graced many fashion magazine covers, ran in jet set circles with Andy Warhol and was the face of several fashion houses that were at the top of their games in the swinging sixties.

The Vintage Festival
Started by fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, the Vintage Festival is the perfect vehicle to take all attendees back in time to an era that was all about fun, creativity and innovation on so many fronts. The sheer artistry of painting and creation of music will be brought back to life when musical legends such as Sergio Mendes, Soul Casino DJ’s and Aloe Blacc make an appearance.

The Vintage Festival in Northamptonshire held on the Boughton Estate, which will be transformed into a wonderland of venerable music and clothes for the ephemeral event which runs from Friday 13th July and through to Sunday 15th July. The festival features music, clothes, food, design, art and shows that were popular during the British 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s eras.

Twiggy in all her glorious 60 years of age will be the major draw card considering her background and her look which she pioneered in the sixties will be present in much of the vintage festivals art and fashion. The fashion not only includes awesome vintage clothes but also hair and beauty salons to bring out that original Twiggy style and catwalk styles. Art & Design will show off some seriously amazing vintage and classic cars that still take your breath away on public roads.

If you’re not in the mood for art movies featuring Ealing classics and some serious sixties horrors then enjoy some of the fun activities. Take a step back in time at the Vintage Festival’s groovy roller rink. Enjoy the wicked sixties music that will take you back to flyaway hair parted down the middle, stripped knee-high socks, hot pants, North Star shoes and bright red lipstick.

Now that the middle of the 20th century is making an appearance in London’s Northamptonshire, it is time to put away the stress of the early 21st century, relax and go camping the sixties and seventies way. Get down to the Vintage Festival for an education on the cool and retro side of life.

Vida Denning is a keen writer who loves the sixties and is a big fan of designer jersey dresses from the seventies.

Gardening is Fun: Get the Kids Involved!

2012-05-24T09:13:00.000-04:00

As the weather warms up, it is only natural for you and your family to want to break out from the confines of indoors. Getting your kids involved in gardening, yard work, and planting is a great way to engage them in new experience and a little physical exercise.

Yes, you could just let your kids fool around on their swing set while you weed your beds but children like to feel helpful so get them involved in the garden chores! In exchange for their hard work, you can allow them to create one of the following children’s gardening projects.

Garden Projects Designed to Get Your Kids Hands Dirty

Sunflower House

Image credit: photobucket.com

By planting mammoth sunflower seeds in a square pattern, you can create a secret garden fort for your children to enjoy. This is a good project for the far end of a bed, or even separated from the rest of your garden. Here’s what you will need to do:

Choose a sunny spot, and till an 8’ x 8’ area.

Choose a mammoth sunflower variety and plant 4-6 seeds in clumps six inches apart from each other in an eight foot square pattern. Be sure to leave a two foot gap in the middle of one side for the “door”!

After around two weeks and seedlings have sprouted to about three inches tall, thin them down to 2-3 of the most vigorous in each clump. Thin them again at two feet tall, leaving your most promising sunflower. These plants grow quickly, giving children many opportunities to check on the progress of their growing “house.”

The interior of the sunflower house will provide a cool, shaded area for your kids to play all summer long. If you would like to extend the project even further, you can also harvest the seeds either for your family’s enjoyment or as bird seed.

Other variations for this project include using a variety of sunflower colors, planting alternating heights of sunflowers (tall ones on the corners and the middle, shorter ones in between like fort posts), and planting climbing vegetables adjacent to the sunflowers. Take a picture of your kid once a month standing next to the growing sunflowers to track the height growth over time. Your flower fort will look fabulous within your yard next to a traditional children’s play house!

Dinosaur Bed
It can be hard to keep young children from digging wherever they want in your garden. However, if you give them a dedicated bed just for them, the safety of your favorite flower bed is pretty much assured. Follow these steps to create your kids their very own “dinosaur bed” to dig about in:

Mark off a 4’x4’ area with sticks, bricks, or plastic (you could even use a hula hoop) that marks the special area that your kid is supposed to dig in.
After tilling the space, bury plastic dinosaur toys for your children to excavate.
Equip your junior archaeologist with a small shovel to dig with, a magnifying glass to inspect the finds, and a plastic bucket to keep their treasures. Have them draw the finds in their special archaeology field book too!

You’ll have to regularly stock up the space with new treasures for them to excavate, but you’ll be happy to have your kids occupied while you can keep improving the rest of your flower garden!

Katherine Reynolds loves her garden which her two children helped to create, especially since installing an array of playground equipment from Climbing Frames AU for them!

Black~Legged Ticks in Ontario

2012-05-23T15:50:00.000-04:00

Black~Legged Ticks, formerly known as Deer Ticks, carry an infectious disease called Lyme Disease and if left untreated can prove to be fatal.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed, via my Facebook feed, that several people are complaining about ticks and the increase in people seeing them on their persons over other years has been staggering. It is because of this I decided to bring awareness to the situation and mayhaps, giving some of you the information you require to get help before it becomes a health problem. If you love nature, such as I do, your going to need to know such information in order to better equip yourself before traversing into the wild.

Ticks are closely related to spiders...shiver...and are typically small when unfed, at all stages of their growth blood is needed in order to survive their design.

Ticks cannot fly and are quite slow and they usually sit upon tall grasses and bushes waiting for a host, such as people or animals, to brush against them and allow them to attach themselves to you.

They can take up to several hours to find a suitable place to infest your body and the bite is quite painless, so often you do not even realize they have attached themselves to you. One good thing to note, but you can never be sure, is that, many of the ticks do not carry the Lyme disease, however, who wants to play Russian Roulette with an insect?

In Ontario, Black~Legged Ticks are more often found in rural areas, along the shores of Lake Erie, Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The boundaries of tick populations are not easily defined and it is believed that contamination into other neighbouring areas is inevitable.

The nymphal stage usually begins in the summer months and it is at this time that is more likely for one to contact Lyme disease via a tick bite than any other. Even though Ontario has a higher risk of Lyme disease than any other location, the chances of actually contacting the disease is slim.

Ticks feed on blood by inserting their mouthparts and not their whole bodies into the skin of its host. They feed slowly and their bodies will actually enlarge as they eat, making it more visible for the eye to see. It usually takes about three to seven days for a tick to complete its meal.

If a tick has bit you that does carry the Lyme disease it is important to note that it usually takes about 24 hours after it has begun to feast for the infection to set it, this is why it is imperative to always check your person after an outing with nature. The bacteria infection takes time in order to migrate from the tick's stomach to its salivary glands and it is because of this delay that buys you time from infection.

Now let's assume you have been infected, symptoms usually begin to appear within three days to one month. If you show signs of fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and a skin rash, especially one that has a red bull's eye, you should seek medical advice. And please note, not all show the red ring rash. Antibiotics will help clear any early signs of Lyme disease.

In order to avoid ticks, some handy things to remember are to wear light coloured clothing, it makes it easier to see the offending creatures. Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts, with closed footwear and socks. If you are able, tuck your pants into your socks for added protection. If you know you live in an area that has had reported Lyme Disease then it is important to have tick repellents that have DEET as well as, using tick and flea collars on your pets.

Do not put anything on the tick or try to burn it off, though I did hear if you soaked a cotton ball in some liquid dish detergent and gently dab it upon the area for a few seconds, it will draw the tick out. I have never applied this but it may work, especially for those hard to reach areas~!!

Remember where you found the tick if at all possible and report it to your public health workers.

Clean the bite site thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and soap and water.

Blood tests should conclude whether or not you have contracted the disease and further medical treatment can be decided upon then.

I love and adore nature and wouldn't want these tiny insects to spoil my enjoyment nor would I wish for it to spoil yours~!! If you hear of any in your area, please share your story below, help keep us all informed~!!

The Bible Bee Family Discipline Challenge

2012-05-23T11:48:00.000-04:00

At times, it can feel overwhelming and intimidating to think about providing Biblical learning at home. We often think we are unqualified, too busy, or that our kids won't listen. But, we miss the greatest gift as parents if we don't disciple our kids. Deuteronomy 6:7 is clear about our responsibility to teach our children God's Truth, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

The Bible Bee Family Discipleship Challenge provides a way to get resources and encouragement as you study with your children. The Challenge is created by The National Bible Bee and it's ministry partners.

Step 1: Register your family for The National Bible Bee. You'll receive a box on June 1st filled with everything you need to complete the challenge. The National Bible Bee begins June 1st as contestants learn to inductively study a designated book of the Bible through the Bible Bee’s exclusive “Sword Studies” and memorize Scripture with the help of their Bible Memory cards.

Step 2: Complete the 12-weeks of study and participate in a local Bible Bee Celebration Day near you on August 25th.

Step 3 (Optional): If possible, report how your family is enjoying studying the Word together during the summer. It can be a quick post on The Bible Bee Facebook page, a tweet, or a post on your blog (email us a link to your post). Just make sure you use the hashtag #BibleBee--that way we can be inspired by each other's progress through the summer.

Prizes: The Bible Bee comes with an amazing list of prizes for those that compete on at Nationals (visit www.biblebeescholarship.com to see the details). But, there are opportunities to win family discipleship resources throughout the summer by keeping us updated on your progress (as described above). We have amazing gifts from our ministry parters your family including: Seeds Family Worship,Christian Focus Publications, Franklin Springs Family Media,FamilyLife, Vision Video, Worthy Publishing, Well-Versed Living, and more!

Off-Broadway Alliance Names StinkyKids® The Musical Best Family Show!

2012-05-23T11:23:00.000-04:00

Musical Based on the Award-Winning StinkyKids Book Series

(Atlanta, Ga) – StinkyKids The Musical, a live theatrical production based on the characters and themes of the award-winning children’s book series, StinkyKids, was named Best Family Show for the 2011-2012 Season by the Off-Broadway Alliance. Other nominees included Alice in Wonderland, The Amazing Max and the Box of Interesting Things, The Berenstain Bears LIVE!, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Ohmies.

“We’re thrilled to announce StinkyKids The Musical as Best Family Show,” said Peter Breger, chairman of the Off-Broadway Alliance. “There were many terrific shows for children this season and StinkyKids was bursting with great storytelling and wonderful musical numbers for families.”

“It is an honor to be named Best Family Show by the Off-Broadway Alliance,” said Britt Menzies, award-winning children’s author and creator of the StinkyKids franchise. “The musical is such a great show for families that’s filled with laughter, humor and important messages. The recognition is tremendous”

“It has been an incredible experience to work with Britt and the amazing actors, crew and production unit on this show,” commented Stephen Sunderlin, Vital Theatre artistic director. “StinkyKids The Musical is our best-selling regular season show to date and we’re thrilled to be recognized by the Alliance.”

StinkyKids The Musical has performed to sold-out audiences since its debut on March 10, 2012 in New York City. The last performance of StinkyKids The Musical is slated for this Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Theatre 80 located at 80 St. Marks Place between 1^st and 2^ndAvenue in New York City. The production is appropriate for children ages 2-12 and their families. Guests may purchase tickets for the last performance online at www.vitaltheatre.org/stinkykids.php or by visiting www.facebook.com/StinkyKidsMusical. Phone orders can be placed by calling 212-579-0528.

Program synopsis: StinkyKid Britt never gets into trouble and loves making everyone happy! She’s convinced her parents to take her friends, Max, Hannah, Jen, Johnny and Billy to the opening of the new MegaJumper 3000. But when Britt gets a massive wad of gum stuck in her hair, she must rely on her friends to help her get out of a sticky situation before her parents find out and cancel the trip.

StinkyKids The Musical is directed by Tim Drucker. The books and lyrics are by Sammy Buck, and music is composed by Daniel S. Acquisto. The cast includes Kari Grunberg, Ryan Mikita, Lora Nicolas, AJ Patton, Bryce Payne and Madison Turner.

Critics and consumers alike love StinkyKids The Musical!

“Peppy pop score…could easily be a Katy Perry hit” – Laurel Graber, New York Times

“Hilarious!” – NY Parent Magazine

“What I love about this musical is that if offers teachable moments for kids. As an added bonus, the audience can meet the cast, get their autographs and have their picture taken. That is such a wonderful memento from shows at the Vital Theatre.” – NYC Single Mom blog

StinkyKids is a hilarious and heart-warming new children’s property that centers around 10 diverse characters each with their own personalities who help kids make right choices and live by the motto, “Always Be a Leader of Good.” Each hilarious, funny and real-life adventure captures the innocence of childhood and the lessons we learn from our mistakes.

About Off-Broadway Alliance Awards

The Off Broadway Alliance is a non-profit corporation organized by theater professionals dedicated to supporting, promoting and encouraging the production of Off Broadway theatre and to making live theater increasingly accessible to new and diverse audiences. Since 2011 the Alliance has recognized outstanding Off-Broadway productions with the Off Broadway Alliance Awards. For more information, please visit www.offbroadwayalliance.com.

About Vital Theatre Company

Vital Theatre Company is a community of artists who believe that a shared theatrical experience profoundly affects people’s lives. They create stories that challenge audiences to ask questions, make discoveries and engage in dialogue. Founded in March 1999, Vital Theatre Company has presented more than 60 original productions for more than 284,000 children and their families. The Company received two American Theatre Wing Awards for Continued Commitment to Excellence in Theatre and was also named as one of nytheatre.com’s “2004 People of the Year.” Vital is a six-time winner of the Off-Off Broadway Review’s Award for Excellence for four main stage productions, as well as Vital’s 2001-2002 Children’s Theatre Season and the children’s piece “The Ballad of Irving the Frog,” (2004). For more information, visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

About StinkyKids

StinkyKids comes from the creative mind of Britt Menzies, a mom who was inspired by her daughter’s simple request to paint her as a ballerina. StinkyKids is a brand with a fun, unique and fresh approach that teaches life’s lessons through its products and books featuring 10 diverse StinkyKids characters. The StinkyKids characters are little stinKers who learn to make right choices through their childhood mistakes and who live by the motto: “Always Be a Leader of Good.” StinkyKids is an innovative brand that appeals to parents for the values it represents and to kids because the characters are real kids getting into real mischief. Since inception, StinkyKids donates 10 percent of its profits to Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc., a charity founded in honor of Britt’s aunt who died from uterine cancer. Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc. delivers gift boxes to children and adults fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. To learn more about the organization and StinkyKids, visit the StinkyKids website at www.StinkyKids.com.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Luden's Throat Drops

2012-05-23T10:35:00.000-04:00

In 1879, at the age of 20, William H. Luden left his job as a confectioner and created his own business and for over 130 years, people have been enjoying his creations.

Using his father's old jewelry shop, his mother's kitchen and 30 lbs. of sugar, William set off door~to~door selling his candy confectionery delights. It wasn't long for his entrepreneurial side took flight and he was placing his candies on store shelves allowing patrons to gain easier access to his wares.

Noticing that people carried vials of menthol around with them whenever they ailed, William and a pharmacist got together and created the world's first menthol cough drop.

Luden's Orange Supplement Drops
Made with Real Orange Juice

15 calories per drop
60 mg Vitamin C
3 g sugar
Ingredients include: sucrose, corn syrup, water, sodium ascorbate, orange juice concentrate, citric acid, flavour, ascorbic acid, pectin, yellow 6, red 40

Luden's Wild Berry Throat Drops

For temporary relief of minor discomfort and protection of irritated areas in sore mouth and sore throat.

Ingredients include: 2.8 mg pectin, ascorbic acid, corn syrup, FD&C blue 1 & 2, red 40, flavouring, malic acid, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, soybean oil used as processing aid, sucrose

Luden's Sugar Free Wild Cherry

Warning: If sore throat persists after two days or is severe, you will need to contact your medical practitioner who will be able diagnose your symptoms.

Ingredients include: 2.8 mg pectin, acesulfame potassium, citric acid, FD&C blue 2, red 40, hydrogenated starch, hydrolysate, isomalt, malic acid, natural and artificial flavours, water, soybean oil used as a processing aid.

I love the Luden's Throat Drops and couldn't express my gratitude more for being able to review these products. I suffer from a dry mouth, I am always thirsty and the Luden's lozenges keep my mouth moist and sated. I am very thankful that they have created something that I don't find horrific to put in my mouth. I do not enjoy artificial flavours and found these to be very pleasing to my palate.

I found the Sugar~Free Wild Cherry drops to be delicious, you couldn't even tell there was no sugar in them. I also had the pleasure of trying the Orange Supplement drops and the Wild Berry flavoured throat drops. The orange drops were scrumptious and the wild berry flavour wasn't a personal favourite of mine but the kids certainly enjoyed them.

If you have a persistent dry mouth or irritable throat, then I would suggest grabbing yourself a bag of Luden's Throat Drops, they taste great, keep your mouth moist and the price isn't half bad either. I can usually find a 30 bag count of the Wild Cherry drops for a dollar...and no more than three...so why wouldn't you want to keep a bag around for those days when you just need to keep your throat soothed.

OHHH...and don't forget to enter the La~La~La Luden's Jingle Contest...you may even win some groovy neat prizes~!!

Belt out a jingle for your Favourite Throat Drops~!!

Show Luden's how much you love your Luden's Throat Drops by submitting a video of you singing your 30~60 second jingle based on the theme..."Suprisingly Soothing. Simply Delicious~!! "

Your original jingle can be instrumental, acoustic, silly or fun ~ just be sure your entry tells us why you LOVE Luden's~!!!

For more information stop by Luden's...they'd be more than willing to help you out~!!

** Reviewed by me...as I see it~!! **