Home Maid Simple

Tag: giveaway

  • Birthday Bash {Giveaway}

    Birthday Bash {Giveaway}

    Today is my 26th birthday.

    I had big plans for today.

    They pretty much all fell through. 

    Isn’t that how it always happens?  I wanted to do a lot of baking with the kids today, but once I got everything ready, I realized I didn’t have enough sugar.  Not even for one simple recipe. I would have run to the store when I made this discovery, but baby Prince was already down for his nap. I have the motto, Let a sleeping baby sleep.  So I waited. As I sat down to write this post baby Prince woke up.  So I am feeding him while writing…how’s that for some multi-tasking?

    Once he’s done eating here we’ll head to the store for some sugar, and I think some Wendy’s for lunch. My special birthday treat to the kids (and because who wants to do that kind of cooking on their birthday?  not me!). 

    As soon as we get back home we’ll get to some baking.

    Yummy yummy! My birthday treat to me
    Strawberry Rhubarb Jam anyone? I really enjoy canning, so I’m making time for it today!
    Jam slathered on a scone, yum!

    I was then going to make a Chicken Cordon Bleu Stromboli, but Mark’s brother and his family are still in town, so we decided to get together with them for a little barbeque. 
    Until my plans got changed (and really it’s not a bad thing, I enjoy spending the day with family), the morning was going pretty good. I got up and did my morning scripture reading with baby Prince. Then I took a quick nap on the floor next to him. When the Princesses got up we had cereal and a tropical smoothie (not my best, but it was decent). I also snuck in a pilates work out, and got the laundry going.  While I gave Prince his morning feeding I also read some more from The Gatekeeper: Book 2 in the Marenon Chronicles (my new FAVORITE book series!). 
    Now what would a birthday bask be without some presents?  Do you remember my PenFactory Review?  I got these awesome tote bags, and I am giving one away today! But I don’t want to give you an empty bag. So one lucky reader will get a tote bag with a book to read: Shaman Friend Enemy by M Terry Green.
    How do you enter this giveaway?  Easy Peasy! Just leave me a birthday comment 🙂
    Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents. A winner will be chosen Saturday June 9th by random.org
  • Growing Up and Doing It Yourself – Chore Cards for kids {Giveaway}

    Growing Up and Doing It Yourself – Chore Cards for kids {Giveaway}

    Chores. We all have them. We all need to do them. We all try to avoid them (you know you do!).  Part of living in a home with others is learning to share the space so everyone is comfortable.  The home is just the beginning though. I personally feel what we learn in the home, will reflect in our relationships with our coworkers, community, and extended family.
    Being a parent and needing to teach the basic essentials of living with others can be a daunting task sometimes.  We may resort to anger, yelling, tears, bribes and eventually just doing things ourselves because we’re the only ones who can do it right. All we manage to do with those choices is deprive our children of learning important life skills.  Having chores helps teach kids about responsibility. 

    For awhile now we’ve been doing a Daddy Dollars/Mommy Market rewards system.  It was working for awhile. The kids never knew when they would get Daddy Dollars, but they started asking to get them, and would only do things if they got a Daddy Dollar out of it.  I didn’t want them learning a sense of entitlement, and only working to get something. I want them to learn that doing chores and helping others out can bring them joy and others. The whole feel good for doing something good aspect.

    So we’ve been trying out these “Hands Around the House” by 3R Cards – a product made by moms for moms.  What I really like about the Hands Around the House is that the idea behind it is to teach our kids how to live in a community.  The first community we join, and I feel is the most important is our family.  We just learn so much in the home that will shape who we are and the choices we make throughout our life.

    The “Hands Around the House” by 3R Cards is a chore system based on 3 R’s

    • Responsibility
    • Respect
    • Reward

    Although I’m not a big fan of using rewards as a means to get my kids to do something, I do believe in setting goals to work towards. I like to use the rewards to set goals the kids can work towards, or as a family we can work towards.  For example, this weekend we were blessing Baby Prince, which meant a lot of family coming over to our house. So yesterday we pulled out the 3R chore cards and got to work cleaning the house. We were all working towards the same goal, a house that could welcome company and make the time with them enjoyable. 

    The Princesses have never been so excited about chores as they are using the 3R cards! To start getting into the routine, we are only doing 1 chore a day so far, but Saturday the Princesses decided they wanted to do as many as they could. So I let them pick a chore, complete it, and then pick another one. I tell you what, our home has never looked good so fast, with all of us still happy at the end of it.  Out of all the chore cards that come in the Hands Around the House set, I’d have to say Making Lunch has been the favorite. They get to spend a little time in the kitchen with mom, and they get that immediate gratification of food when they’re done.
    The least favorite, or most difficult to accomplish has been Clean up the Toys. It feels almost too broad, and since all the kids make the toy mess, it almost seems – dare I say it – unfair. When that chore is picked I usually still have to help accomplish it, but I no longer have to fight for it to be done.

    We have yet to use the Rewards cards that came in the set, but that’s because our Mommy Market is still stocked and working pretty well as an extra treat for doing  the work.

    ~Giveaway~

    Are you ready for a giveaway?
    Mompact is sponsoring the following Growing u and Doing it Yourself giveaway
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    *I received this review opportunity as part of MomPact.com. All opinions are my own.

  • Book Blast – Masters of the Veil + $100 Giveaway!

    Book Blast – Masters of the Veil + $100 Giveaway!

     

    Life can’t get much better for Sam Lock. Popular, good-looking, and with a future as a professional football player. every guy at Stanton High School wishes he were Sam. That is, until his championship football game, when Sam accidentally links with an ancient source of energy known as the Veil and reveals his potential to become a powerful sorcerer. Sam is whisked off to Atlas Crown, a community of sorcerers who utilize the Veil as a part of everyday life. Once there, he trains beside a mute boy who speaks through music, an eternal sage who’s the eyes and ears of the Veil, and a beautiful girl who’s pretty sure Sam’s an idiot. As it becomes clear Sam’s meant for power magic-the most feared and misunderstood form of sorcery-people beyond Atlas Crown learn of his dangerous potential. An exiled group of power sorcerers are eager to recruit Sam, believing that he is destined to help them achieve their long-held goal. If they succeed, they could bring about the downfall of not only Atlas Crown. but all humankind.

     

    About the Author, Daniel A. Cohen

    Daniel A. Cohen was just your average business student. Microeconomics, finance, marketing… you name it, he had to do a PowerPoint presentation on it. One dark and stormy night, he was bitten by the radioactive realization that memorizing business jargon could possibly be the most boring activity known to man.
    After gaining eagle-eye vision, abs that could grate cheese, and a talent for imagining things (including his cheese-grating abs), he wrote his first novel and began his epic battle against the formidable business jargon. He continues to fight the good fight by playing saxophone and writing YA fantasy, forever hoping his Veil trilogy will help inspire others to join his cause.

    Praise for Masters of the Veil

    “I absolutely adored Masters of the Veil. It is a unique and creative read in today’s sometimes overwhelming YA market. Daniel is taking JK Rowling’s lead and putting a whole new twist on fantasy.”
    ~Kristin @ Better Read Than Dead


    “I loved this book. I could list all the reasons, but there is one piece of praise I think sums up the book best. My son grabbed it as soon as I was finished reading it and hasn’t put it down since. Dan Cohen has a winner with this series.”
    ~Author Michelle Pickett

    “Masters of the Veil is a fun, fresh fantasy that delivers an intriguing story and fantastic world-building, and is a great first volume in what is sure to be an excellent trilogy.”
    ~Aeicha @ Word Spelunking

    Links!
    BLOG
    GOODREADS
    FACEBOOK
    AMAZON LINK
    BN LINK
    TWITTER

    Giveaway Details
    Author Daniel Cohen is offering one lucky person a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card.
    Last day to enter is May 31st

    Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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  • Mothers day Giveaway

    Mothers day Giveaway

    Mothers Day is fast approaching, and I wanted to give you guys a little present. Mothers are the heart of the home, wouldn’t you agree?  We teach our kids, we kiss their booboo’s, we support our childrens fathers and stand by them through thick and thin. We don’t get sick days, and we have to hold it all together when things start falling apart.  So to help you mothers out there, I have for one lucky reader the following:

    – Love Notes to Our Moms (gently used).  Full of stories and recipes from moms and daughters.
    – GUD from Burts Bees, Vanilla Flame Body Mist
    – ROC Deep Wrinkly Night Cream

    *Some of these items I received through Klout Perks.  I was not obligated to give them away or even write about them.

    Giveaway is open to US residents.
    Fill out the rafflecopter below to Enter


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  • Book Review and Giveaway: Oli’s Uncommon Cents

    Book Review and Giveaway: Oli’s Uncommon Cents

    Oli’s Uncommon Cents
    Author: Deborah Allen
    About the Book: Oli’s Uncommon Cents is about a young girl, Oli, who is 12 years old, and a die-hard-tom-boy.  She is given a coin pouch and discovers there are five living coins inside.  Together they explore much more than places, they explore life.  Although this book is written as a fantasy novel, there is a lesson of self- worth and personal value that weaves its way throughout the story.  Readers will follow Oli and her coins as they explore the world of money, and adventure, and learn the importance of worth, versus, value. They will discover that a person’s character is often directly related to the choices they make with their money.  Throughout the book there are ethical issues for young readers to consider, and perhaps as they do, they will better understand how money can create tension, or hope, in a person’s life.  Oli’s Uncommon Cents is written with a dramatic yet fanciful and humorous presentation, but seizes the opportunity to teach young people about the vices of greed and the wake of mistrust, fear and apprehension it leaves in its path.  In contrast, young readers will be warmed with the valuable sense of self-worth, generosity, trust and confidence.
    About the Author (in her own words): “My professional experience is actually in Landscape Architecture.  I owned my own business for 25 years and then took a position in business at the University of Idaho.  After retiring I pursued my interests in writing.  I am an active children’s advocate. My sole purpose in writing is to incite hope in the lives of young people.  I write Sunday school curriculum, and children’s devotions, although I don’t exclude myself from children’s secular writing.  As an author for LAF Ministry, my experience ranges from writing, to design, to finance to children’s ministry, the latter being my passion.   Working with children and their families, I have become concerned with the grave and desperate concerns young people have for their futures.   In Oli’s Uncommon Cents, I combine my talents and interests and tackle the problem of greed, and its effects on families.  Without abandoning my writing platform as a children’s advocate, I sneak a golden nugget into my creative fiction novel and teach children life lessons about the value of self-worth, generosity, and caring for others.”
    My thoughts: I truly enjoyed this book. It is written for middle grade readers with a simple writing style, and a great lesson to be learned. I love the thought provoking questions this book raised.  Just what kind of value do we put on things. Although money all has a specific value what kind of worth should we place on money? Is it more important than our relationships?  Do we give more worth and value to our money, and forget about those people in our lives who should be cared for and loved more than money?  I think this book should be one to find it’s way into every middle school!

    


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  • Charity Hopping Around the World – Giveaway

    Charity Hopping Around the World – Giveaway

    Welcome to the Charity Hopping Around the World Event
    Hosted by
    and
    Each blog participating in this hop has chosen a charity to feature along with a giveaway.
    I have chosen to tell you a little bit about a charity near to my heart.
    3 years ago Princess C was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata.  Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the bodies hair. We became concerned when it looked like Princess C had rolled in a dogs bed – only it was her hair she was covered in. The doctor found about a quarter size bald spot on the back of her head. After a treatment of steroids her hair stopped falling out and began to grow back. Unfortunately steroids is not a cure, but it can help. We’ve been lucky enough to not have a recurrence, but it could come back any day.
    There has yet to be a cure for Alopecia, or even a known cause for the disease.
    The Children’s Alopecia Project aka CAP is devoted specifically to helping children learn to live with this disease.
    Although a cure would be great CAP’s main goals are to
    -Build Self-Esteem
    -Provide Support
    -Raise Awareness
    You can follow CAP on facebook, twitter and on their Blog.
    If you feel like you can you can make a donation to CAP HERE
    Sponsoring Home Maid Simple in getting the word out about The Children’s Alopecia Project are
    Kimochis – Toys with Feelings Inside
    and
    Chilanthropy – The act of relaxing while being philanthropic

    I reached out to Kimochis because I loved their concept, and feel they do for all children what CAP does for children with Alopecia. Kimochis toys are not just a toy but a way to help children understand and communicate their feelings.  You can read my review HERE.

    Chilanthropy I knew I wanted to work with as soon as I read what Chilanthropy means.  Owner and founder, Rey, has devoted his business to helping charities around the world while creating wonderfully Eco-friendly candles. You can read my review HERE

    This giveaway is over
    Use the rafflecopter below for a chance at winning a Kimochis Cloud and your choice of candle from Chilanthropy.
    Giveaway open to US only (sorry worldwide friends).


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  • Superior Nut Giveaway!

    Do you like nuts? Do you like old time candies? You should check out Superior Nut!
    Superior Nut has been around since 1929 putting together New Englands best gourmet nuts, dried fruits and candies. 
    All Natural Nut Gift Basket (2 Pound Basket)My personal favorite nut is a salted cashew. I just love them! While browsing Superior Nut’s website though I found some other products I would love to try!  Things like, oh Peanut Butter Topping!
    Really that was just a brilliant idea! Instead of trying to melt your peanut butter (which by the way, NEVER put a jar of pb in the microwave, you might blow it up…..).  Peanut Butter Topping is already melted perfectly for pouring on top of your favorite ice cream.  I’m in love people!
    Gummy Apple Rings (1 Pound Bag)
    My next stop while browsing Superior Nut was the candy section. What can I say, I like candy. OH the excitement came as I stumbled across Gummy Apple Rings! Have you ever had these? By far these are my absolute favorite gummy snack, and I haven’t seen them since I was a kid!  I gave Mark a none so subtle hint that these would make a great mothers day, birthday, Christmas gift.
    What would you buy from Superior Nut? Are you a Nut person? Candy lover? or do you like Dried Fruits (not really my favorite, but I know some people who love them!)?
    You have the chance to win a $25 gift code to use at Superior Nut!  Just fill out the rafflecopter below
    *I was not compensated for this post. All opinions and ideas are my own. Gift code is not valid on shipping charges.

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  • Foodie Friday – Freezer Meals and a Giveaway!

    Foodie Friday – Freezer Meals and a Giveaway!

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    Have you ever put together some Freezer Meals?  For years I’ve heard of freezer meals, and I always wanted to try them out, but I had no idea where to start. I had questions like “At what point in the cooking do I freeze it?” and “Do I cook it longer or let it thaw before cooking?”. 
    Back when I had just Princess V and Princess C, I decided I wanted to try my hand at this freezing idea. So I started with dinner rolls. I actually completely figured them out on my own, and was very successful with my first try.
    And then I stopped. Actual dinners just sounded too difficult to put together, and I really didn’t mind being in the kitchen (I still don’t!).  Jump to today though, and I’ve now got Princess R running around my feet, and Baby Prince getting ready to make his appearance. I decided it was time to stop slacking, and get some food put together so we wouldn’t rely on pizza every night that I don’t have the energy or desire to cook.
    Let me tell you, it has been fun!!  I have been putting stuff in the freezer all week, and I’m running out of room.  A deep freezer would be so nice, except trying to figure out where to put it. So I make do with my little above the refrigerator freezer.  I started with cinnamon rolls, because really, cereal gets old, and warm cinnamon rolls are OH so good!  Then I jumped to some Chicken Tortilla Soup and Chicken Pot Pie. Tonight I made a double batch of lasagna and froze one. Tomorrow I plan on getting some bean burritos in there (they should fit!).
    Freezing Dinner Rolls
    (cinnamon rolls and any other bread will be the same process)
    Choose your favorite dinner roll recipe. Follow the instructions up to shaping the rolls. Normally you will shape your rolls and let them rise before cooking. DO NOT LET THEM RISE! Once you shape the rolls place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer.  After they’ve frozen sufficiently (2-3 hours), remove them from the baking sheet and put in gallon freezer bags. By freezing separately before the bags, the rolls should not stick together.
    When you’re ready to bake the rolls remove from the freezer. Let them thaw and rise until double in size. Bake according to original direction.
    Freezing Soup
    Make your desired soup according to directions. Leave off any garnishes, or items that could go soggy (in my case, the tortilla chips).  Cool it down in the freezer and then pour into freezer containers – gallon bags work, or air tight Tupperware.
    When ready to eat, remove from freezer, dump into a pan and reheat.
    Freezing Casseroles
    This is similar to the soups. Mix up your casserole according to directions, but do not bake! Once the casserole is assembled, cover with foil, or lid if you have one for your dish (ha, I just realized I put foil on my lasagna, but I have a lid for that pan!).  Place in freezer.
    When ready to cook, heat through. I would use the same temperature the recipe calls for, but it will need extra time to heat all the way through.
    Now you know the secrets to Freezer Meals! It all seems pretty straight forward, but if you’re anything like me, it seems pretty daunting that first time going at it.  Don’t be afraid, and ask questions! There’s a lot of info online too!
    Giveaway Time!
    Link up your recipes on the linky and you will have the chance to win a $25 Walmart gift card. Please make sure to use a valid email when adding your link so we can contact you!  The winner will be announced next Friday!
    *Gift card provided by General Mills and Walmart through My Blog Spark

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  • Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop

    Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop

    Welcome to the Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop
    hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader not a Writer.
    Part of spring cleaning, means going through our bookshelves (construction has helped with this too).  Throughout the hop you’ll have many chances to win gently used books from some pretty avid readers.
    Here on Home Maid Simple one winner will win the following 4 books
    Water for Elephants
    Transcendent: Tales of the Paranormal
    Transcendent: Tales of the Paranormal

    Most of these I’ve read. I struggled with Water for Elephants, so I didn’t finish that one. Evermore and Evangeline’s Miracle I won from other bloggers, and truly enjoyed them, but want to pass them on.  Transcendent I read and reviewed (follow above link for my review). It is filled with lots of great short stories.

    Giveaway is open to US residents only
    (sorry shipping is just too much!)
    To enter use the Rafflecopter form below
    After you enter here, make sure to hop to all the other blogs for more books to win!

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  • Book Review and Giveaway: 3-2-1 Stop by Lorilee Lippincott

    Book Review and Giveaway: 3-2-1 Stop by Lorilee Lippincott

    3-2-1 Stop: Stop running and start living By Lorilee Lippincot

    About the author: Lorilee is a wife and mother of 2 kids. She with her family has decided to live a minimalist lifestyle and make life more about what really matters!

    About the Book: (blurb from the 3-2-1 stop website) “3-2-1 Stop is a how-to memoir of learning to love simple living. Lorilee uses personal stories, as well as tips learned along the way, showing how to create a life that makes space for what is most important. Embracing minimalism, she tackles and teaches how to make the hard decisions of simplify the home as well as the schedule. She understands that a full life, really doesn’t need to be that ‘full’ at all. Beyond that, Lorilee addresses the hidden emotional hoarding that keeps our souls running.”

    My Review: I’ve really enjoyed reading about Lorilee’s journey to live a more simple lifestyle.  Although I don’t quite agree with everything she has done in her life, that is the beauty of it. We are all different by nature.  I think every one can read 3-2-1 Stop and take something beneficial away from it. Reading through her first section on STUFF, got me really excited to start going through our house and start tossing..well..stuff!  I know we have an abundance of items that are rarely if ever used. Why do I still hold on to that? My rational is that I might one day find a use for it. Lorilee’s helped me see that, I also might never use it, and the space is much more precious to me than the stuff.

    I really think you have to read 3-2-1 Stop with an open mind, and willing to work it into your personality and lifestyle. For me, apartment living is not ideal. We did it for almost 6 years, and we weren’t happy. We never felt like we had our own space, and for our family, we need our space. Plus, compared to the last apartment we were living in, home ownership actually saved us money, so we’ve been able to do more fun family activities then we could while renting.

    The main point I feel Lorilee is trying to tell us all, is we need to stop valuing stuff, and things, and start living a full life with our families. Doing what makes us happy, instead of filling up our schedules every second of the day so we never have time to rest. I’m on a mission to live a more simple life, to enjoy my family more, and really look at the stuff I surround myself with.

    You can find more about 3-2-1 Stop by visiting the book’s site here http://321-stop.com/
    You can also keep up with Lorilee’s journey of simple living by visiting her blog here http://lovingsimpleliving.com

    Lorilee is offering 3 of my readers a copy of 3-2-1 Stop
    (ebook)
    To enter use the Rafflecopter form below

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