And The Award Goes To...

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

My first award!  Thanks so much to Chauny Writes for selecting me as a recipient for this award!  It was a pleasant way to start the day.  Please take a moment to stop by and visit her.

ver·sa·tile:

embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also : turning with ease from one thing to another

Versatile Blogger Award Etiquette:
Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
Tell us seven things about yourself
Award fifteen recently discovered new bloggers.  (Don't forget to contact them!)

Seven Things About Myself:
  1. I'm a great cook.
  2. I tend to be bossy and sometimes impatient..  
  3. I want to lose 50lbs. 
  4. I like to do nice things for other people, just to be nice.
  5. I was in the Army National Guard for 6 years.
  6. I've never been to New York or California.
  7. I barely knew anything about blogging before this year!
I come across great blogs everyday, but I had to narrow it down.  Here are the recipients I've chosen to award:

  1. Boyz Rule Our World
  2. Crafty Card Creations
  3. The Imperfect Home
  4. Momma's Time Out
  5. Nap Time Is My Time
  6. Occasionally Crafty
  7. Our Crazy Bunch
  8. Suzy's Artsy-Crafty Sitcom
  9. The Adventures of Curly Tot
  10. The Frugal Life of Aimee
  11. Twins Plus One, Three Times the Fun
  12. The Paper Blosson
  13. The Not So Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom
  14. The Tween and Me
  15. Finger Click Saver
Please take a minute to stop by and show these great bloggers a little love!  Thanks again!

$35 for $100 Worth of Photo Books, Cards, and Calendars at Picaboo


Head on over to Groupon today and snag $100 worth of product for $35! 

The Story of Bruce

Monday, April 25, 2011


As told by my husband to our three-year old daughter:

Each year, the Easter Bunny puts a litter of baby puppies into a large Easter basket with a soft blanket.  The puppies go with him on his Easter deliveries.  As the Easter Bunny makes his stops at all of the little girls and boys houses, he lets the puppies choose a home they would like to stay at.  This year, a cute little Yorkie puppie sniffed around while they were stopped at our house and he nudged the Easter Bunny with his little nose, telling him that he wanted to stay.  The Easter Bunny had to wake up Mommy and Daddy to see if it was okay and if we could take good care of him.  So we told the Easter Bunny that, yes, we think Kaiya & Carson would really love a puppy and we will take good care of him.  So, after we thanked the Easter Bunny, we put the puppy in small carrier that the Easter Bunny left with us, gave him a little blanket and said goodnight.

The puppy was a little timid with my husband and I at first.  He was nervous and a little jumpy.  We did get up with him twice in the night to go outside, and he whined a bit between outings.  We were a little worried about how he would handle meeting the kids. 

Kaiya woke up early and came trotting into our bedroom and climbed up in the bed with us.  We had a little snuggle time while Daddy went to "start his coffee".  He went to let the puppy out and clean up a little mess.  About the time she and I came out and headed down the hallway toward the kitchen, the puppy had gotten loose from Bobby and scurried out from mudroom, into the kitchen and into our sights.  (So much for our plan of brining him out in an Easter basket and getting a picture of her reaction!)  She immediately stopped, threw her hands up, and said in the cutest little emotional voice, "A puppy!"  I'm a bit of a sap, so I did get a bit teary eyed, only for a moment.  She was so excited! 

To our very pleasant surprise, the puppy toddled right up to Kaiya and I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight for them both!  She was so very gentle and soft spoken as she scooped him right up into her arms.  Bobby and I couldn't believe how calm he was!  So they played for a bit and she toted him in her arms in between finding eggs and sneaking bites of candy from her basket.  We asked her what she wanted to name him.  Without averting her eyes from the puppy, she said, "You name him."  This pleased my husband, the comic buff, who already had a name in mind.  Bruce Banner.  Also know as The Hulk.  Oh, the irony.

Carson was still asleep during the excitement.  He is only one-year old, so we thought it was probably best that they were introduced one at a time.  A short time later, Carson beckoned from his crib.  He wasn't really sure what to think.   He was very curious and seemed to like him from a safe distance.  The puppy was interested, and again, to my surprise, went right up to check him out.  Bobby put his hand over Carson's and helped him pet the puppy.  When he stopped, Carson mimicked this action, putting his hand over Daddy's.  Too cute.

So we had a wonderful day enjoying our newest family member, but had to wind it down and get ready to head to Grandma & Grandpa's house for dinner.  Bruce cried a bit when we put him in his pen and Kaiya immediately grabbed a book off the toy shelf, sat down next to his pen and read him a story.  He went to sleep!  (She continutes to read to him whenever she thinks he's sleepy.)  Kaiya asked us if Bruce would be here when we go home.  We explained (again) that, yes, he is our puppy and he will be with us for a long time.  "Mommy, I love bruce."  Bruce loves you, too!


31 Tote Giveaway **ENDED**

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Let me start by saying a big THANK YOU to Michelle.  Michelle is my 31 consultant and has, ever so graciously, offered to become my very first sponsor!  If you've never heard of or owned a thirty-one(TM) product, now is the time!  I purchased a bag a few weeks ago and absolutely love it!  Please check out her latest catalog!

Up for grabs is an Organizing Utility Tote.




















This versatile, spacious tote keeps your clutter organized! Great for cleaning supplies or sporting gear.  Use it as an everyday tote or a gym bag!  Seven side pockets are perfect for shampoo, magazines, your MP3 player and water bottles.  Made from extra-tough nylon with stain-and water-resistant lining.  Measures approx 10"H X 15.5"W X 6.5"D

Help me grow, and let me show you that I appreciate your support!  Entries will close once I reach 200 facebook fans!  I hope you enjoy my blog and what I have to offer.  I am still a new blogger, trying my best, with the resources (and time) that I have available to me, to provide a fun and useful blog to my newly loyal fans!  I would love to keep on growing so that I have more opportunities to provide my readers with great product info, reviews, giveaways, recipes, insights, deals, and much more!  I greatly appreciate all of my supporters!

You will snag two entries by doing the following:
  • Become a facebook fan .  (Required) (Remember to use your personal page for it to count.)
  • Follow via GFC.  (Required) (Google Friend Connect found on blog homepage)
Get one extra entry for each optional task you complete below:
  • Share this post to your facebook page(s). (one entry per share, one share per day, per page)
  • Tweet this post.
  • Refer a fan to my facebook fan page.  (one entry per referral)
  • Visit my Give Back Giveaway and become a participant.
  • Read any of my blog posts and comment on that post.  (one entry only)
  • Place an order with Michelle at thirty-one(TM).  (one entry per item ordered)
**BONUS 5 ENTRIES**  If you have a blog or website, please add my button to your sidebar or add a link to my blog on your blog roll.  (Be sure to comment 5 times to ensure your 5 entries!)  Thanks!

Please be sure you leave a comment on this post for each task you complete!  If you are already a facebook fan or a GFC follower, let me know in a separate comment for each.  Remember - each comment is ONE entry.  You could get a lot of entries!  If you refer someone, be sure to state who you referred in the comment.  Make sure you comment with a valid email address so you can be contacted.  The winner will be chosen via True Random Number Generator at Random.org.

So go ahead, enter!  Good luck to you all and again, I truly appreciate all of your support in my exciting new adventures!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Contest open to US residents 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends at 11:59PM CST on the day that Jessica, The Mom's facebook fan page reaches 200 fans (likes). Winner must have a valid email address to receive prize.  Jessica, The Mom is not responsible if your email notification goes to your spam folder.  Winner must respond to email within 48 hours of notification to claim prize, or another random winner will be chosen.  Prize will be shipped to the winner by said giveaway sponsor.  Comments not deemed as entries to this giveaway will be deleted.  Other comments should be made here.

Sweet & Sour Sauce

Friday, April 22, 2011

I was experimenting with a recipe I had found online, but didn't have all the ingredients for, when I came up with this awesome sweet & sour sauce.  It is, hands down, the best I've tasted!  It is very easy and quick to make, and it makes a large batch.  You could freeze it or jar it in small portions if you want to use it as a dipping sauce.  We had it yesterday with diced boneless pork chops and rice.  I've also made it with chicken.  So delicious!


You will need:

1 can crushed pineapple (I believe it was 16oz) in its own juice (do not drain)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 cup of water
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2/3 cup of vinegar
2 TBS Soy sauce
3 TBS cornstarch

Set aside 3 TBS of the pineapple juice.  Add the rest of the pineapple and juice to a medium/large saucepan.  Add all of the remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until bubbly.  Mix the set aside pineapple juice and cornstarch together in a small dish until smooth.  Add this to the sauce mixture, slowly, while still cooking and stirring over medium heat.  Continue cooking and stirring for a few minutes, until it has thickened a bit.  Pour over chicken, pork, rice, or use as a dipping sauce for egg rolls, won tons, etc.  Enjoy!