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Christmas Shopping

Posted by html404 on November 1, 2012
in Coupons, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Gift Ideas, Shopping

It’s the beginning of November and we all know what that means, right? The retail Christmas shopping season has officially begun. As I eluded to in a post last week, I have a few more hard-to-get gifts to buy. Robert’s mom and his aunt are super hard to buy for because they have everything and to be honest I never really know what they will absolutely love. I may just opt for sending them flowers as that is something either of them buy for themselves. And then our little 6 year old niece will be easy to buy for, not to mention fun!

We might be buying ourselves electric fencing and a solar panel with battery pack. A farm expense, but out-of-the pocket expense since our farm is not yet turning enough profit to cover it. Now some of you may not “get” that but we value our poultry “friends” and the food they provide for our family. Now that it’s cold outside the children are tired of always having to chase them when it’s time to bring them in after we let them free-range. The only thing is the electric fencing won’t be much help once the snow flies but we will be able to get a little use out of it if I get it ordered this week. Regardless, it will be needed in the spring anyways.

What about you? Starting your Christmas shopping? Looking for sales? K-Mart is hosting a Family and Friends sale this Sunday, November 4th. Visit Kmart.com to download coupons and get started on Christmas gifts for your family and friends.

This post is sponsored through a Mom Bloggers Club member program. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

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Enter Mike the Gardener’s Sweepstakes #Giveaway

Posted by html404 on October 16, 2012
in Contests, Eco Friendly Products, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Food and Treats, Health and Garden Tuesday, Organic

I wrote about Mike the Gardener in the Spring and his great deal for a year worth of seeds. Well, I was just on Facebook and Mike the Gardener is having a sweepstakes to Win 5 Years worth of Vegetable Seeds! Go now and sign up!

Editor’s Note: I signed up too!

Happy Health and Garden Tuesday!

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Visiting Dollywood #PigeonForge #Brandcation #Dollywood

Posted by html404 on October 12, 2012
in Blog Stuff, Family Stuff, Travel, Uncategorized

The other day I mentioned Dollywood’s Wild Eagle, but there is so much more to Dollywood than just roller coasters. Though Dollywood has several of them.

I Heart Dollywood!

I loved Dollywood and if I am honest everything I saw and experienced made me wish my family was there with me to experience it too. It was like that with every event we attended last weekend. That’s how family-friendly all of the attractions in Pigeon Forge were and to me Dollywood had an old-time feel to it – from the coal steam engine, horse wagon shop and even a metal forge/black smith’s shop for signs etc. All things that are right up my alley.

Wagon Shop

Wagon Wheel

Wood Worker or Cobbler

Dollywood’s Grist Mill – Photo courtesy of Kim at Brandfluential

I rode the Dollywood train through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with Jenn from The Rebel Chick and Amy from Grinning Cheek to Cheek

Brandcation Bloggers at Dollywood

34 bloggers at Dollywood.

Photo courtesy of Kim at Brandfluential

Dollywood has plenty of shops, restaurants, a museum, crafts, quilt shops, roller coasters and other rides to keep the whole family busy for the day (last Friday – can’t believe a week has gone by already!) There was plenty of things for people of all ages, including family pets. This month is Gospel and Harvest Festival and the day we were there we saw a line up of people and the majority were senior citizens. A group of bloggers took in a show and said it was awesome as they learned about the history of music.

Doggywood

Doggywood is a place to leave pets while visitors enjoy Dollywood for the day.

The great thing about Dollywood is you can stay and play as they have their own log cabins for accommodations. Dollywood even has a water park called Dolly Splash. The parks and cabins are close together eliminating long drives going back and forth between the three of them.

If we were to go to Dollywood as a family I would want to take more than just a day to visit as I think it would take at least a couple of days to go through everything.

Dollywood Ready for Fall

Photo courtesy of Kim at Brandfluential

The park is very well shaded for the hot days of summer. Dollywood even has its own special Dollywood Christmas.

One of the employees at Dollywood said when he left work this tree was not there…we joked that the elves had been at work.

Gluten Free Brownie

Photo courtesy of Kim at Brandfluential

The neat thing about Dollywood’s restaurants is they have a gluten-free menu and a whole program geared towards allergy education for select kitchen employees, which even includes certification. This is very unique and important to families suffering from allergies.

The rest of their eateries – a bakery, a sweet shop and more – provide tasty lots of food. I had to get a couple of photos of my husband’s favorite desserts but neglected to get a photo of our lunch at Granny Ogle’s Ham N’ Beans.

Huge Cinnamon Roll

25 lb. Apple Pie for $80

Dolly Parton

It was very impressive to learn Dolly Parton is very involved with her parks and attends specially planned events centered around her visit to Pigeon Forge. The fact is we just missed her most recent visit. Boo hoo.

One last thing, we truly experienced southern hospitality and friendliness from Dollywood employees.

To learn more connect with Dollywood online at their website, Twitter and Facebook.

Companies may have provided media rate or media tickets to assist in facilitation of this article. Experiences are all real and all opinions are my own.

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Dolly’s Dixie Stampede #Brandcation #PigeonForge

Posted by html404 on October 12, 2012
in Blog Stuff, Family Stuff, Travel, Uncategorized

I have never been to a dinner show before, but that all changed a week ago when we attended Dolly’s Dixie Stampede while at Brandcation. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect but I loved it!

Denise our host from Dixie Stampede was not only helpful and friendly, but funny as well. She set us up for complimentary photos, a mug and dinner.

Dixie Stampede Pre-Show

The Dixie Stampede had a highly entertaining pre-show with a bluegrass/jazz band. The show itself was funny and the music was fantastic. Here’s a glimpse of it below since I was able to get several video clips of it….but for some reason YouTube isn’t allowing me to upload them so I can embed them into my post. So I’ll post some photos instead. Mountain Rukus even proved to us that they could play contemporary pop music in bluegrass style.

This is the table of ladies I sat with during the pre-show as we enjoyed a non-alcoholic beverage.

We sang to well known songs and clapped loudly as the musicians of the band, Mountain Rukus, displayed their singing talent while playing the banjo, fiddle, violin and bass.

The Dixie Stampede Floor Before the Show

Dolly’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Show

The dinner show was very good. It was different from what I expected, but not in a bad way. I don’t want to give away all the surprises so I am not sure how much to tell. The dinner was as listed on their website and video:

A Mouth-Watering Tender Whole Rotisserie Chicken
Delicious Hickory Smoked Barbecued Pork Loin
Dixie Stampede’s Original Creamy Vegetable Soup
Scrumptious Homemade Biscuit
Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob
Tasty Herb-basted Potato
Dixie’s very own Specialty Dessert
Unlimited Pepsi®, tea or coffee

They even offer a vegetarian plate that includes:

Country Garden Vegetable Pasta
Dixie Stampede’s Original Creamy Vegetable Soup
Scrumptious Homemade Biscuit
Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob
Tasty Herb-basted Potato
Dixie’s very own Specialty Dessert
Unlimited Pepsi®, tea or coffee

We were fortunate to be able to visit during the Dixie Stampede’s 25th anniversary season. The actual show was very family-friendly and interactive as the audience was divided into two teams – the Union and the Confederates. We cheered and clapped for our respective sides. People from the audience were invited to participate in the show’s events too. Children shooed chickens in a race, girlfriends and boyfriends rode stick horses as they joined the cast center stage. This will be the first time I’d ever allow my children to “boo” anybody because it was all in good old fashioned fun! See a video here.

Bloggers at Dolly’s Dixie Stampede Pigeon Forge

Photo courtesy of Kim at Brandfluential.

I’ll say it again, don’t just take my word for it, experience it for yourself! You are in for a couple of surprises if you do!

A huge thank you to Dolly’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for welcoming us and giving us a fun-filled evening!

Companies may have provided media rate or media tickets to assist in facilitation of this article. Experiences are all real and all opinions are my own.

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Dollywood’s Wild Eagle #Brandcation #PigeonForge #WildEagle

Posted by html404 on October 10, 2012
in Blog Stuff, Family Stuff, Travel, Uncategorized

I haven’t been to a theme park in a very long time. I went on a virtual ride of Dollywood’s Wild Eagle, America’s first winged roller coaster, before I left for Brandcation and I think I freaked myself out a little. Try it and you’ll see what I mean! All you adventure seekers will love it, I’m sure!

Dollywood’s Wild Eagle roller coaster was a highlight for me as I went on it three times, even though in all the photos I look terrified…and I was. I haven’t been on a roller coaster since I was 14, but the fact that I attempted something different and something that had to do with heights was huge for me since I am afraid of high places. I am a play it safe, non-adventurous kind of gal.

Photo courtesy of Dollywood and Tanya Gordon of Mommy Goggles.

The first ride I had my eyes closed except for the initial climb. The second time I opened my eyes a bit and during the third ride I only had my eyes closed for the huge dip and loopdy-loos. There’s something about being upside down that gets to me. It was terrifying and thrilling at the same time. Though I must say I felt very safe strapped in the seats seats. They felt very secure and Dollywood staff made sure we were securely fastened, which I really appreciated. I worried about my glasses falling off because they shifted a bit but they stayed on.

Photo compliments of Kim @ What’s That Smell

Oh, Kim actually had a photo of me smiling as we came in from our ride. It’s a bit blurry but you can see Paula, me, Mary Ann and Maria:

Photo compliments of Kim @ What’s That Smell

Dolly’s Wild Eagle opened in March of this year and has already hit 1 million rides according to a staff member at the photo desk. Impressive, eh? Dollywood Splash will be opening their first water coaster in spring of 2013 – little insider info.

Wild Eagle Compared to Other Roller Coasters

Joy from Joyful Musings went on three roller coasters at Dollywood and we asked her to give us the comparison break down and here’s what she said:

Dollywood’s Wild Eagle was the smoothest ride.

Mystery Mine was the scariest.

The third was Tennessee Tornado was the fastest.

Companies may have provided media rate or media tickets to assist in facilitation of this article. Experiences are all real and all opinions are my own.

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Cabin Fever Vacations #PigeonForge #Brandcation

Posted by html404 on October 9, 2012
in Blog Stuff, Family Stuff, Travel, Uncategorized

Brandcation Blog Cabin was called Blog Cabin for a reason. While we were in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee we stayed at a log cabin managed by Cabin Fevers Vacations called Mountaintop Lodge. Cabin Fever Vacations offers a unique blog cabin experience. The cabin is privately owned by a family but rented out during the times the family is not in the area. The cabin is three floors high and can sleep up to 34 people! It’s beautiful!

Cabin Fever Vacations even surprised us on the first day with Gigi’s Cupcakes to welcome us to Pigeon Forge.

The Accommodations

The top floor housed most of the ladies in an open room with cots, a futon and several queen sized bunk beds. That floor also included four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Photo compliments of Kim @ What’s That Smell

The middle floor contained a full kitchen, dining and living rooms, as well as two bedrooms with private baths.

The lower level had four bedrooms, two private baths, the laundry room and game room which also housed two additional futons. I had one of the bedrooms and roomed with Jenn from Life with Levi. We didn’t see much of each other but she was a nice roommate.

Photo compliments of Kim @ What’s That Smell

Each level has it’s own balcony – front and back – where you could rock in a rocking chair, sit and enjoy the view, just chit chat with friends or soak in a hot tub.

The cabin was beautiful with a rustic style of decor. It was really spacious. The only thing it lacked this weekend was a few extra bathrooms! Six bathrooms for 34 ladies was a little challenging at times but we did it!

I love that there are many different sized cabins and that Cabin Fever Vacations is able to accommodate any size family. Large families like ours could actually stay all together, which is so much better than hotel accommodations!

The View

The view from the back balconies was of the Smoky Mountains and it was stunning. In few days or so it would have been splashed with the colors of fall.

Don’t just take my word for it check out the video below:

The Road to the Cabin

The road to the cabin is a winding road, obviously since the cabin is on the mountain – wouldn’t want to see it in the winter! Though I am sure they are very good about keeping it clear and well maintained for any type of weather they experience.

The Atmosphere

The cabins were very close together but the atmosphere was very quiet. Though we may have changed that at certain points of our stay! Especially during our 80’s party! The people I met were were friendly in the cabin area
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You may visit Cabin Fever Vacations at their website, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube and even Pinterest. They have an awesome social media presence.

I truly cannot wait to plan a visit to go back with my family. I know they will love Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Companies may have provided media rate or media tickets to assist in facilitation of this article. Experiences are all real and all opinions are my own.

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Whole Fruit Smoothies Review

Posted by Brande on October 5, 2012
in Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Reviews

Put that blender back in the closet! Whole Fruit Smoothies are here! Whole Fruit Smoothies is a frozen treat that require a microwave and a spoon. However, in my daughter’s case she liked a straw too. Whole Fruit Smoothies come in 3 flavors – Mixed Berry, Strawberry Banana and Pineapple Mango. Plus, only 100 calories per serving. Each package contains 4 – 4 ounce cups of one flavor. I’ve seen them in my grocery store in the frozen foods section by the frozen fruits in bags.

Take one of these 4 ounces cups, pop it in the microwave for 20 second. The following pictures are of the Pineapple Mango.

When you remove the Whole Fruit Smoothie cup from the microwave, the center will still be frozen. Of course, you can eat it right from the cup.

I did stir my daughter’s briefly to get the bigger chunks melted a little. BUT, it does continue to stay cold as a smoothie should.

Then Enjoy!

My Whole Fruit Smoothies Review

Whole Fruit Smoothies are a BIG hit in my house, with our favorite being mixed berry. Here is the nutritional information of the mixed berry:

My daughter gets very excited to have a smoothie she loves her new “ice cream smoothie” as she calls it. Two thumbs up from us!

You can find out more information about Whole Fruit Smoothies here.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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TuneIn Radio – FREE Radio Online

Posted by Brande on October 4, 2012
in Deals, Family Stuff, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Music, Techie Stuff, Technology/Electronics, Thrifty Thursday

Music is such a huge part in our lives. It cheers us when we are down, it relaxes us when we are tense and it allows us to create new memories with family. Talk radio also use to be such a huge part of family lives. Remember the Waltons gathering in their livingroom around the radio? Before television that’s what families did for home entertainment.

Looking for a free radio source you can listen to online? I discovered TuneIn Radio. It is free local, international and Internet radio.

Head to TuneIn, where you can listen to radio stations for FREE on your computer! No money, No accounts needed. Of course, you can sign up for an account to save your favorite stations. They have local radio to your area, music, talk and sports! This is one of my new favorite sites! They also have apps to download as well.

Check it out at TuneIn.

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Our Awesome Avengers Party #MarvelAvengersWMT #CBias

Posted by html404 on September 23, 2012
in DVDs & CDs, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Kids Stuff, Movies, Uncategorized

Last Tuesday night our family was able to enjoy a very fun evening, except my husband who has been struggling with cold/flu like symptoms the last few weeks – found mold behind our washer. Anyhoo, the children and I all headed out to Walmart to shop for supplies for our Avengers party! Did you know The Avengers Blu-ray/DVD release is this week? Yes it is! I haven’t watched any of the new Marvel movies but my husband has watched a few of them with the children, including The Avengers. They get excited about all things Avengers and super heros. My goal was to enjoy an evening of fun with my family.

Shopping at Walmart

Before we went shopping, I downloaded The Avengers Augmented Reality App. There is a quiz, a place to join The Avengers, a game, a place to scan product. The kids love the game and music on it. I watched a video first to help me understand how it worked. The problem is we were only able to get it to work on the Marketside pizza boxes because there were barely any displays were up in promotion for the movie.

On the pizza boxes The app basically provided a 3D scene from The Avengers, my kids are pretty tech savvy and loved it.

Due to the lack of promotional signage available, we were unable to find any of the app’s trigger points so we could participate in earning points. We tried scanning the sign at the deli counter as well as the video display they had there for other Marvel movies but nothing happened. The sign at one of the entrance’s didn’t work, nor did any of the tags on the apparel we looked at.

I was hoping our Walmart had everything I had in mind to create an awesome Avengers party and you should see what I found!

We bought The Avengers party plates, cups, napkins, balloons, candy (not something I normally buy but this was a special occasion so we indulged), masks, a punching ball, prize ribbon and tattoos. We even purchased a couple of packages of super hero figures for the children to share and play with. These were part of the prizes I got for our game time. I was trying budget my money wisely because costumes were $9.99 and up, I couldn’t afford to get them each their own individual costumes, so we settled on them each having a mask which worked out great and it was so fun – I even wore one.

The children were so excited in the toy section, another section we usually avoid so we keep the gimmees at bay. There were lots of Avenger toys, figures and Legos to choose from….gave me a couple of ideas for Christmas. They were too expensive to get on a normal day out, that’s why we settled on the inexpensive action figures, plus more children could play with them than they could one big action figure/or toy that cost $15-$25 each.

Our Awesome Avengers Party

We purchased Marketside pizza for dinner. It’s very good. We were pleasantly surprised as it is very filling compared to other pizza we have tried. We enjoyed our meal together before heading down to our basement family/playroom for an evening of games showing super power strength and agility.

I divided us into teams and we played three games: whose team could keep a balloon in the air the longest, who could do the punching ball the longest and who could make the most words out of the word Avengers in two minutes. Then I handed out prizes to the winning team, the child who did the punching ball the longest and then each of the younger children received tattoos and super hero figures.

We ended our evening by watching half of Captain America since it was 9pm when we started it. We finished it the next day.

The Avengers Graphic Novel

Our children also enjoyed getting The Avengers Graphic Novel, though my daughters did report a couple of inappropriate/swear words, which was unexpected and disappointing for something geared towards children.

The Avengers Blu-Ray/DVD/Graphic Novel Combo Pack

The Avengers Blu-Ray/DVD/Graphic Novel Combo Pack was not in our Walmart store when we shopped last week but I can see how it will be a nice gift to super hero fans. It retails for $24.95 and will also be available on September 25.

To learn more about The Avengers visit Marvel.com Fans will want to follow Marvel on Twitter (use hashtag #MarvelAvengersWMT) or Facebook .

Overall our Avengers party was very memorable and the children told me how much fun they had that evening and again the next day. Guess it was a success!

“I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Marvel. #MarvelAvengersWMT #CBias #SocialFabric. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

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My Little Guys – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on September 19, 2012
in Animals, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

What can I say? I love my little guys, like I do all my children. All of them are growing up way too fast. These are photos of my little guys and some of their animal pals from the past couple of weeks