Books, Products and More!

Free for All Friday-Bath and Body Works Giveaway!

2012-01-27T17:53:00.000-05:00

Time for another Free for All Friday! I visited the mall recently and picked up a couple of products from Bath and Body Works for today's giveaway.

One lucky winner in the United States will take home Bath & Body Works® Signature Collection CLASSICS body lotion in the Brown Sugar & Fig scent, and a matching body splash. Total retail value of this prize is $20.

You can fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VeggieTales: Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men Coming to DVD

2012-01-27T11:21:00.000-05:00

Our family is a huge fan of VeggieTales®. I also use these DVDs to supplement our Sunday school program. Our students, ranging in age from 4 to 12, love them!

Just in time for Easter, comes a new DVD for your family to enjoy. In, Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men, Robin Good has a mission - fundraising from the rich and giving to the poor! But when greedy Prince starts stealing the townspeople's hams, donations are down and Robin's band of friends desert him to give robbing a try. Can Robin overcome his hurt, show his friends what's right and restore the townspeople's hope?

This DVD offers several bonus features, including: "Fun"-Raising with Larry, the Singalong Song, "Things Will Get Better", and Robin Good's Guide to Handling Hurt Discussion Guide. It also has a brand new Silly Song. Run time is approximately 50 minutes.

You can pre-order the DVD from the VeggieTales website.
Does your family watch VeggieTales? Do you have a favorite Silly Song? I think mine is a toss up between "His Cheeseburger" and "Oh Santa!"

Young Adult Giveaway Hop at Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways

2012-01-27T10:23:00.000-05:00

BLOG TITLE: Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways

GIVEAWAY ITEM: The two latest young adult ebook releases from Tribute Books: Until Next Time by Amy Lignor and The Priest and The Peaches by Larry Peterson.

GIVEAWAY RESTRICTIONS: None

GIVEAWAY DATES: January 27 - 31, 2012

GIVEAWAY LINK: http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/young-adult-giveaway-hop.html

Saving Time in the Kitchen

2012-01-27T01:19:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned earlier today, I love cooking and baking. I should have gone to culinary school. I think I would enjoy catering; though I sometimes wonder if you get sick of food after a while.

Over the years I've found ways to help me save time in the kitchen. Here are some things that work for me:

Gather all your ingredients and supplies first

By the time I am ready to make a dish, I have everything right at my fingertips. Whether it's a batch of cookies or stir-fried chicken, I take out all my ingredients, utensils, pans, and bowls first. If a dish requires vegetables like onions or garlic, I slice and dice first, so once it's time to cook I simply toss in what I need to add to the pan.

Put things back right away

In my mind there is nothing worse than waiting until you're done cooking to put everything away. Put things away after you use them. While your dish is simmering on the stove, put away the ingredients you don't need anymore. When I make stir-fried chicken, I put vegetable oil in the pan, and add onions, celery and ginger. I put the used cutting board that held the vegetables into the sink right away, then the oil and ginger go back into the pantry. I continue this as I add the rest of the ingredients to the pan, so that by the time I'm done, the counter top is almost empty.

Clean up while things are cooking

One thing I despise is coming back into the kitchen after a good meal to a pile of dirty dishes. Just like I put the ingredients back right away, I try to wash the dishes dirtied during food preparation while I cook. The cutting board and knife from the vegetables I used in the stir-fry can be washed while waiting for the chicken to cook all the way through. The small bowl I use to mix the cornstarch and soy sauce can be washed while I am waiting for the rice to finish cooking. It might not seem like a big deal, but it is so much nicer to enter the kitchen to a handful of plates to wash than have an entire sink full of dishes to clean after eating.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Feel free to share some ways in which you save time in the kitchen.

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

2012-01-26T14:56:00.000-05:00

We're back for another Taking Time for Mom Thursday. I just put the finishing touches on a guest post for The Steady Hand Blog that will appear tomorrow. I'm one of those moms who enjoys her time in the kitchen and I love trying new recipes. My mother-in-law is kind enough to share her Greek recipes, but like me, she seasons to taste, so when asked for one of her recipes it usually looks like "a dash of this, a sprinkle of that."

Cooking and baking for your family can be relaxing if you enjoy it. Even if you don't like spending time in the kitchen, when you have a new recipe to try it at least makes cooking fun. Here is my mother-in-law's recipe for pork chops. If you try it, I would love to hear what you think.

Ingredients

4 - 6 bone-in pork chops
Olive oil
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Oregano
1 Clove of garlic, minced
Lemon juice

Step 1: Saute chops in large pan on the stove in olive oil and butter. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano and garlic while browning.

Step 2: Sprinkle with lemon juice and cover tightly. Allow to cook on low until done. See recommended temperatures from the USDA here.

Like I said, "a dash of this, a sprinkle of that." When I make this, I use 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter to saute the chops. I use very little salt because pork is salty anyway. I probably add a 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. I am liberal with the lemon juice and my husband usually adds more once they are cooked because much of it burns off. It's important to keep the chops covered tightly so they retain moisture.

I serve this with rice and green beans. I make rice at the beginning of the week in my steamer and then just reheat what I need during the week. I use the microwave to steam the green beans, then add a touch of butter and salt.

Why I Love Ordering from Land's End

2012-01-26T11:05:00.000-05:00

I just had the best shopping experience and I have to tell you about it. One of the last things I did yesterday was place an order at Land's End. Last year had I had bought my girls snow bibs from Land's End hoping I would get a couple of years out of them. Well, the Lil Diva has grown so much since the summer that when she put on her snow bib this past weekend she looked like a stuffed sausage. There's no way she was going to make it through the winter in them.

So, last night I broke down and picked up a new one. As you can see from the picture above, the seat is double layered--so are the knees. They are now on sale for $39.99 (regularly $69.50). I'm hoping by buying a size 14 I might be able to sneak two years out of these. Fingers crossed.

I also ended up buying a pair of Women's Snow Trekker Shoes in True Navy. I used to be the lady with a ton of shoes, but since I stopped working outside the house, I don't feel the need to have a plethora of shoes lining the closet floor. The last pair of shoe boots I bought are probably over a decade old, so I didn't feel bad about replacing them. I would never pay full price for new ones because I'm too thrifty and I don't spend money on myself very often. These were on sale for $28.99 (regularly $59.50). I think I'm going to love them.

But my sale purchases weren't why I was so thrilled with my order from Land's End. In today's email, I received a free shipping offer from them, which also included a free upgrade to 2-day shipping for only $5. I had paid $10.95 for shipping last night, so I figured I would contact them to see if I could take advantage of this special offer. Two things that impressed me when I chatted online with their customer service representative: 1) they had already shipped my purchase so they couldn't upgrade to 2-day shipping, and 2) they credited my account for the full cost of shipping, saving me almost $11.

Some companies might try to haggle with you over the shipping, but I'm glad they did the right thing. I couldn't believe my order was already shipped. I also think it's great that you can chat online with them or video chat with them instead of having to place a phone call. Every company should make this available on their website.

Land's End does not have prior knowledge of this post. I received no monetary compensation to share my experience.

WSJ Wednesdays - Second Edition

2012-01-25T13:56:00.000-05:00

In this second edition of WSJ Wednesday, I read an article that concerns America's workforce. Found on the front page of the Marketplace section and continued on page B6, "Your Résumé vs. Oblivion," by Lauren Weber discusses companies using software to sift through job applications.

Applicant tracking systems seem to be norm these days. According to the article, Ed Struzik, an International Business Machines Corp. expert on the systems, says it would be hard to find a Fortune 500 not using one. Knowing that an application is being scanned for "keywords, former employers, years of experience and schools attended," and ranking qualifications solely upon that information, means a potential applicant might not even get a call for a job she could be qualified for if she doesn't craft her résumé in a way that has knowledge of how these tracking systems work. The article also mentions other flaws of these systems, though it also mentions they are not wiping out human screeners entirely, only narrowing a field that is flooded with people eager for work in a weak market.

I have two books here that I plan to review hopefully next month at The Book Connection: Unbeatable Résumés by Tony Beshara and Cracking the New Job Market by R. William Holland. Scanning the table of contents on each, Beshara's book contains information on these tracking systems and keywords, and Holland's book mentions keywords. Now that I am looking for a job outside my home, I better brush up on how to attract a potential employer in this technology driven market.

How do you feel about the use of applicant tracking systems? How long has it been since you crafted a résumé? Are you afraid your qualifications could be overlooked if you submit an online résumé without knowing how these tracking systems work?

WSJ Wednesdays

2012-01-25T13:29:00.000-05:00

I am going to have two editions of this feature this week. I saw two items of particular interest in yesterday's Wall Street Journal, but they are on such different topics I can't blend them into one post, and I feel both of them are worth talking about.

In the header of the Marketplace section, a small photo of celebrity homemaker Martha Stewart was posted, along with the headline, "Macy's Takes Martha to Court." The story appears on page B3. The article by Chad Bray and Dana Mattioli stated that Macy's Inc. sued Martha Stewart's Living Omnimedia Inc. "to block a new licensing agreement with rival J.C. Penney Co." In short, Macy's has carried a line of Martha Stewart's home and kitchen products since 2007 and recently renewed its contract for another five years. Macy's believes the agreement between J. C. Penney Co and Martha Stewart Living (MSL) breaches the contract they signed with MSL because the right to sell these products exclusively was clearly outlined.

As I read the article, it reminded me of the recent backlash Paula Deen has endured since her diabetes announcement. According to this Fox News article, her publicist of six years quit over the celebrity chef's plans to promote the drug Victoza. Deen has been criticized for keeping her condition secret for the past three years while dishing up foods filled with sugar and fat.

These situations definitely give the average person reason to pause. If MSL gave exclusive rights to Macy's to sell their products, why did they work out an agreement with their rival? Why did Deen keep her condition secret from the people who have made her a household name? It's easy to say it was mere greed. I don't know that it's that simple. Since in the WSJ article, J.C. Penny Co. president, Lisa Gersh, states their line would be "completely different" from what Macy's carries, was there an intentional decision to breach the contract? Did people who watched Paula Deen and who made her recipes not realize the foods laden with fat and sugar were unhealthy? Why is a celebrity's medical history anyone else's business but her own? That she is now using her condition to promote a product she helps to manage it, and will be making changes to her show because of it, only means that viewers can stop watching if they don't like it. But they were free to do that all along.

What do you think about these recent discoveries? Do they change your buying habits? Will you be turning off the TV when Martha Stewart or Paula Deen comes on? I think it will be interesting to see how both of these situations turn out.

Product Review: Always Regular Ultra Thin Pads With Flexi-Wings and Always Flexi-Style™ Thin Pantiliners

2012-01-25T12:36:00.000-05:00

This review reminds me to never totally discount a product. When Procter and Gamble first released the Always brand of sanitary products, I tried them because of the "wings" that secured them to your underwear. Not being much of a tampon person, I was sick and tired of pads that bunched up or moved.

I didn't care for Always back then. Even though they had this Dri-weave™ liner and were thin, I constantly felt like I was wearing a wet diaper. I switched back to my regular brand, and eventually, most brands came out with their own version of "wings" that made pads more secure. I haven't been thrilled for years, however, with the product I've been using. So, when I found a free sample of Always, I signed up for it.

Always Regular Ultra Thin Pads With Flexi-Wings and Always Flexi-Style™ Thin Pantiliners are now my pads choice. I have never felt more comfortable or dry wearing a pad or pantiliner than I did while wearing these. I received a sample package that included a Regular Ultra Thin Pad and three Flexi-Style™ Thin Pantiliners. Both are very thin and absorbent, and I almost forgot I was wearing them.

What I was excited to see at the grocery store was a package of Always Slender Ultra Thin Pads With Flexi-Wings. I ended up buying these because I'm petite and I figured they would be an even better fit than regular size pads. I'll review these once I've had a chance to use them.

I requested a free sample of this product. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Sea Turtle Summer by Nancy Stewart Giveaway at BookSpark

2012-01-25T09:42:00.001-05:00

BLOG TITLE: BookSpark

GIVEAWAY ITEM: E-copy of Sea Turtle Summer by Nancy Stewart

GIVEAWAY RESTRICTIONS: None

GIVEAWAY DATES: January 24 - 30, 2012

GIVEAWAY LINK: http://book-spark.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-spotlight-nancy-stewart.html

Do You Have a Reluctant Recycler?

2012-01-24T01:00:00.002-05:00

One of the obstacles to becoming more self-sufficient is the reluctant recycler living here. I won't say who it is, but it's tough to lead by example when not everyone is on board. I'm not the recycling police. I don't hit family members with a baton when they toss a cat food can lid in the trash, but I've made it simple to recycle in this house. Our recycle bins are right outside the garage door, and even if you don't want to travel that far, I have one spot in the kitchen for people to stack up paper/cardboard and another place for cans/bottles/plastic, etc.

Every week when I empty the trash cans, there's a certain someone who has tossed all types of junk mail and catalogs into the can instead of throwing them in the bin or stacking them in the kitchen. So, I spend time digging through the trash and putting things where they belong. On the up side, it's got me to thinking about unnecessary packing materials on products and that has influenced me to change some of my shopping habits.

How do you handle a reluctant recycler? Can you give me any tips that might work here?

Tunes Tuesdays

2012-01-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

I realized as I was wandering through my mind for someone to feature this week, I miss the music of Robert Palmer. In a career spanning 25 years, he had an eclectic style. Even though I had hear some of his earlier hits--Every Kinda People, Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)--it wasn't until the mid- to late 80's I was really into him. Actually, I had a crush on him. What can I say, I was a teenager.

I liked the music of the group Power Station, where he teamed up with Andy and John Taylor of Duran Duran. Hits like Some Like It Hot and Get It On (Bang a Gong) definitely got you up and dancing. But I liked Palmer best when he was singing solo. Addicted to Love and Simply Irresistible are songs I still enjoy.

Compared to today's music and videos, Palmer's songs are tame. You can view the video for Simply Irresistible at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGw_cOgwa8 One thing I noticed about him back then when I was watching him on MTV, and now, is how he's dressed. How many musicians wear a suit and tie these days? I think even Huey Lewis and the News gave that up. Oh my, I'm seriously dating myself.

What's your favorite Robert Palmer song?

Summer Entertaining Will Be Here Before You Know It

2012-01-23T17:02:00.000-05:00

I've been considering what furniture to purchase for our deck this year. We have a patio table and six chairs, but what I would really like is something sturdy that doesn't take up a lot of room, we can add for company. Our house tends to be the one the kids hang out at. I cook on the grill most nights during the summer, and when the in-laws and my son and his wife come over, I can't fit everyone at our current table. The problem is I don't have a lot of room. Our deck is 14' x 20' with atrium doors on either side. Smack dab in the middle of the doors is where the house juts out 2 1/2 feet for our living room gas fireplace. I don't want to block access to the doors, so it requires creative furniture arranging.

In addition to being a discount pool supply retailer, PoolGear Plus® carries a wonderful selection of outdoor furniture. I found this Patio Bar Set, including a rectangular table (74" long X 24" wide X 36" high) and 4 barstools that are 26" high. Durable and lightweight, the pieces snap together for easy assembly. I like that it's maintenance free--no cushions to tuck away or wash. It also looks like it will stand up to the wear and tear from the girls and their friends. Some of the little ones are only five years old, so I'm glad the table is too high.

The tabletop comes in Gray, Redwood, Taupe, and Portobello to match any decor. With the cedar stain on our deck, I think I'll go for Taupe or Gray to contrast against the darker stain. It would also match well with the cushions from our patio table.

Will you be updating any patio furniture this year? Do you enjoy outdoor entertaining during the summer?

This post is sponsored by PoolGear Plus, the fastest-growing catalog and internet company in the U.S.

You've Got Mail Mondays

2012-01-23T14:37:00.000-05:00

I was a popular girl with the postman this week. He stuffed my mailbox full of great things, and when it wouldn't all fit he left it on my front porch.

In the world of books, I received:

Jekyll Says...Good Deeds Cats Do, That You Should Too! by D.C. Blackbird. It's rhyming book that encourages good habits and behavior. This is a book for a February VBT. I enjoyed reading it.

Surprisingly, I also received a copy of Girl Meets Boy: Because There are Two Sides to Every Story edited by Kelly Milner Halls. I am participating in this tour for Chronicle Books. I wasn't scheduled to review it, so I'll offer it as a giveaway.

Mr. Postman was also kind enough to deliver a Highlights HIDDEN PICTURES PLAYGROUND® book order form. These are new for 2012 and include their most popular feature. According to the website, there are 4 books, which you can buy as a set. The offer I received, allowed me to preview the first book risk free, and then accept new books as they are sent.

The girls were thrilled to see the new Justice catalog arrive. The Lil Diva and Lil Princess love their clothes. There's definitely some cute stuff in this one. I liked this floral crochet tiered bandeau top they featured on the back cover. Thankfully they included two 40% off gift cards in the catalog. I can't afford to clothe two girls on what they regularly charge.

The new Seventh Avenue® catalog arrived. I've never bought anything from them, but they have some beautiful items for your home. Have any of you used them in the past? What was your experience like?

The Men's Land's End catalog made it here on Saturday. I'm willing to spend more on clothes for my hubby and me since we don't change sizes all that often. I bargain shop with them as much as I can. I've found winter hats for the girls for as little as $3.

I haven't received one of these in a while, but Saturday also brought along a Laura David Consumer Research Center survey. I'll probably fill it out. Who wouldn't want a chance to win $10,000.

Anything exciting in your mailbox this week?

Amazon $10 Gift Card Giveaway at The Book Connection

2012-01-23T13:55:00.000-05:00

BLOG TITLE: The Book Connection

GIVEAWAY ITEM: $10 Amazon Gift Card

GIVEAWAY RESTRICTIONS: None

GIVEAWAY DATES: January 23 - 31, 2012

GIVEAWAY LINK: http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2012/01/amazon-10-gift-card-giveaway.html

Bumpy Landings by Don Carey Giveaway at Linda Weaver Clarke's Blog

2012-01-23T13:31:00.000-05:00

Blog Title: Linda Weaver Clarke's A Family Friendly Blog

Title of book: Bumpy Landings

Author of book: Don Carey

Genre: Sweet Romance

Open to: International

Giveaway Dates: January 23 - 30, 2012

Giveaway Link: http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com

Book Bonanza Giveaway Coming in February!

2012-01-22T15:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks to The Jolly Blogger, I learned about the Book Bonanza Giveaway 2012 being run by Hobbies on a Budget. Books, Products and More! signed up to participate. This giveaway runs from February 1st - 29th. There will be prizes for U.S. residents and worldwide prizes too!

You can find all the details--and a sign up form if you're interested in offering a prize--by visiting http://hobbiesonabudget.com/2012/01/04/book-bonanza-giveaway-2011/ Even if you don't sign up, I hope you'll spread the word.

Good luck to all who enter.

Stepping Toward Self-Sufficiency

2012-01-21T21:30:00.000-05:00

Some days, I'm fed up. I look at my grocery bill and think--there must be a better way. For years now, I've wanted to put in a vegetable garden and grow fruit trees to make our family less dependent upon others. One day, I picked up green beans from the store and they looked unnaturally green. Not only that, I've gotten spoiled with fresh eggs and honey from our pastor's farm. The turkey he sold us for Thanksgiving was 27 pounds!

While, I doubt I'll ever be raising chickens and turkeys like our pastor does, I want 2012 to be the year our family begins stepping toward self-sufficiency. Not only will it be good for us, it will be good for our environment too.

I hope those of you who have already been where I am are willing to share some advice. Where did you start? What project did you tackle first? Are there products to help us move toward going green and being more self-sufficient that won't cost an arm and a leg? I'll be writing up occasional posts to track our progress.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Looking for Sponsors for Spring Cleaning Month in April

2012-01-21T16:35:00.000-05:00

Books, Products and More! is looking for sponsors for Spring Cleaning Month in April. Every year we spend a few weeks in April cleaning up, sprucing up, organizing, and getting the house ready for the warmer weather.

This year, we're hoping to test drive some of the eco-friendly products available and find new storage solutions for the house.

Our stats as of 1/21/2011:

6,400 page views per month

Facebook Friends: 600

Twitter followers: 1091

LinkedIn: 471 Connections

We have seen a steady increase in our traffic and subscribers since the beginning of the year. I am a seasoned reviewer with over four years experience. Please contact me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net if you would like us to review your product.

Thank you for your consideration.

Looking for Sponsors for Movie Review Month in March

2012-01-21T15:48:00.001-05:00

Books, Products and More! is looking for sponsors for Movie Review Month, which is coming this March. We would like to review your family friendly movie during an entire month dedicated to films. We are eager to review these specific genres, but will consider all requests:

Christian films and documentaries
Comedy
Drama
Adventure
Historical films and documentaries

Our stats as of 1/21/2011:
6,400 page views per month

Facebook Friends: 600

Twitter followers: 1091

LinkedIn: 471 Connection

We have seen a steady increase in our traffic and subscribers since the beginning of the year. I am a seasoned reviewer with over four years experience. Please contact me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net if you would like us to review your product.

Thank you for your consideration.

Free for All Fridays- Little Shepherd Giveaway!

2012-01-20T12:14:00.002-05:00

It's time for Free for All Friday! Hold your applause, just throw money. Only kidding.

I know it's not the right time of year for this, but I figure any season is a great time to win something. Today I am giving away 3 paperback copies of my children's picture book, Little Shepherd, to 3 of our lucky followers.

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth. Can he trust the miracle of Christmas to keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We Joined TopMommyBlogs.org

2012-01-20T10:25:00.002-05:00

Please give me a boost!

Yes, I know I'm short, but I'm not asking for a hand to reach something in one of my upper cabinets. I've recently joined BlogNation, which is a blog directory. In entering blog giveaways at a variety of places, I kept seeing, give me a boost as one of the entry options. I decided to investigate.

I haven't worked my way around everything yet, and I'm not so sure I like the fact that it appears you can't search for the blog you want, but it's a smart move on their part to make you look through the blogs that are in a certain category. I signed up through BlogNation to be part of the TopMommyBlog.org Directory. I've listed this blog under the Product Reviews category and Books, Products and More! is currently on Page 15.

If you have the time, please go to the site and give us a boost. All you have to do is find our blog (which you can easily get to via the link above) and hit the (BN Boost) button. It should increase by one when you do it. The more boosts, the higher up in the category the blog is ranked. You don't have to join the site to participate. There's also a link to TopMommyBlogs.org in our sidebar.

I know several of the bloggers in this directory, so I boost them too. I'm not competitive when it comes to blogging. I think blogs are an excellent way to help consumers find out about products they might like and they allow them win prizes. I'm hoping to run more giveaways here in 2012. There will be two coming up in February.

Thanks for your support.

EDITED POST: Finally found a direct link to my blog. You can find it at http://www.topmommyblogs.org/blog/19060/books-products-and-more (It's rough being a technology dummy in a technology filled world.)

We're on the Fence!

2012-01-19T14:27:00.000-05:00

I added Books, Products and More! to Picket Fence Blogs. I hope you'll vote for us by clicking on the button in our sidebar.

Thanks for your support!

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

2012-01-19T14:06:00.000-05:00

My how time flies when you're a busy mom. This post would have been up earlier, but I had to take the truck to the mechanic for some regular maintenance today, clean house, and do laundry. Yawn.

I was wondering what are some of things you do to relax. One of the things I used to do a lot of is cross-stitch or needlework on plastic canvas. I had forgotten how much I used to craft until I saw Ellen's post about Embroider Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom.

My mémère, or mémé as we usually called her, first introduced me to printed cross-stitch when I was around ten or eleven. I still have the tin container she gave me to carry my wooden hoop, needle and floss (I'll dig it out of my craft closet one day soon and take a picture of it so you can see it). I worked on printed cross-stitch kits for years before I felt comfortable switching to counted cross-stitch. With counted cross-stitch, you have no pattern, just a blank piece of Aida cloth. You fold the cloth to find the middle and begin stitching from the middle out to the edges.

While I was a single parent, I often had to rely on homemade gifts for family and friends. Counted cross-stitch certainly came in handy back then. I subscribed to magazines so I could find new patterns. The Lil Diva was just a toddler and the Lil Princess still crawling around when I stopped cross-stitching. Blogging, writing and reviewing books have taken its place. I miss it. I'm hoping once the girls are teenagers and I have a bit more time to myself I'll be able to pick it up again. We'll see.

Do you like to craft? What is your area of interest? Do you give handmade gifts for special occasions? How many--if any--unfinished gifts do you have in your craft closet? I have to admit to at least two.

Table Tennis Anyone?

2012-01-19T00:34:00.001-05:00

Table tennis has always been one of my favorite games. When my husband and I were dating, we would play for hours in his parents’ basement.

Ever since we’ve moved into our home, I’ve said we needed to buy a table tennis table for the bonus room above our garage. I want to share my love of the game with our children. Now that the girls are a bit older (10 and 8) they have the ability to play, so it seems the time is right to move ahead with our purchase.

I like this 9’ Bounce-Back Table Tennis Table from PoolGear Plus®. This regulation-sized table tennis table features a 15mm thick MDF wood playing surface coated on all sides with PVC laminate, 1.25" powder-coated steel tube legs, and a clamp-down net with metal net posts. The 2” durable wheels feature safety-locks, so you don’t have to worry about the table moving during play or rolling over anyone’s toes. This table tennis table comes with corner pads that protect it from damage. In addition to playing singles or doubles, you can fold it up into the playback position to practice by yourself. You don't even need to remove the net when you practice.

What I like best about this table is that it folds for easy storage and has plastic casters to make moving it easy. That means I can tuck it into the alcove so I don’t need to worry about it taking up space when it’s not in use.

The 9’ Bounce-Back Table Tennis Table includes two table tennis paddles and two ping pong balls in a handy storage bag that hooks onto the table so you can play any time the mood strikes you.

Some assembly is required and this product comes with a 90-day limited warranty.

Table tennis anyone?

This post is sponsored by PoolGear Plus, the fastest-growing catalog and internet company in the U.S.