This is something fun for the middle of the week…Enter this $200 Amazon Gift Card giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This contest is sponsored by Henderson Properties.
Archive for Fun Stuff
$200 Amazon Gift Card giveaway
If It’s Free! It’s for Me!
I found a new website! Watch out, it’s addicting! It’s called The Freecycle Network. Type in your location and see what people have to “offer” or “want” and they are all free! You will find almost ANYTHING on here. I’ve seen used oil, frozen meats, swing sets, baby items, beds, you name it! You will need an account – if you find and “offer” you’d like you then need to contact the person to set a time / place and go and pick it up! I’ve seen a few “curb alerts” (a curb alert is people that are putting stuff out on the curb or road) in my area. This is my kind of bargain shopping!
Editor’s Note: Our family has used Free Cycle and have got some pretty nice stuff – our recliner is one of them. We have also got work horses which have come in handy now that we have moved! Lots of neat and useful things have been found on Free Cycle. Beware of daily emails as they will over take your inbox! I finally had to unsubscribe due to the emails and my husband’s request! lol! I had him running out to pick up too many things! 
Share and Enjoy
Pottery Barn Summer Reading Challenge
*Pictures are from the Pottery Barn Website*
Select a book, track your child’s progress with the book(s), get a reward! Sounds good to me.
With summer nearing, it’s hard to keep your child still reading. Here’s an incentive and a reading challenge! Download the book list, progress chart, a certificate from Pottery Barn’s Website ( http://www.potterybarnkids.com/design-studio/articles/summer-reading-challenge.html ). Once your reading is done and tracked, you then print a certificate for your child and visit your local Pottery Barn and your child will receive a book! You can also enter to win a backpack with books!
Happy Reading!
Share and Enjoy
Barnes & Noble Kids Club
I just signed my daughter up for the Barnes & Noble Kids Club! It’s FREE! Here’s all the great information she will receive!
“30% off list price on any one kids’ book or toy for your children”
“$5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff”
“Free cupcake from our café for all your children’s birthdays”
“Free digital book created by your child on Tikatok.com”
“Monthly email newsletter featuring even more savings”
“25% off every day on books created by your child on Tikatok.com”
Make sure you read the fine print, they say there are exclusions!
It’s easy to sign up and FREE! Head over to Barnes & Noble Kids’ Club!
Share and Enjoy
Kidorable “Lucky Cat” Backpack
Kidorable delights both children and the adults who love them by transforming everyday, functional kids accessories into objects that excite their imaginations and enrich their lives at play.
From rainwear to backpacks to knitwear and towels, Kidorable speaks to the precious spirit of childhood.
OUR REVIEW:
We were very excited to have the opportunity to review an item from Kidorable’s backpack collection. We were able to choose which backpack to review and my daughter chose the “Lucky Cat” backpack! When we received the product both my daughter (3 years old) and myself were elated with the product. My daughter loved the whimsical kitty design on the front of the backpack as well as the little mouse zipper pull! I loved that the backpack is made of sturdy PVC material that can withstand a toddler’s wear and tear. The backpack is the perfect size for my 3 year old…the dimensions are roughly 10”x8”x6” so the size is great for little shoulders! I also like that it has both and inside and outside pocket for children to stash their items! ”
I do have to say that there are so many cute backpacks to choose from that I had a hard time deciding which one to review…so I did actually pull my 3 year old to the computer and let her “shop” for the one she liked. The online photos and dimensions were great! We were not surprised with any difference in the product than what is listed on the website…everything is just as described! This was great! The product also cam very quickly (to my surprise) and was packaged neatly in a box…this was great because too many times I get items mailed in an envelope that arrive misshapen because the bubble mailer was smashed and mishandled! Kudos Kidorable for great packaging and delivery!
Thank you KIDORABLE for another great collection!
From May 23 through May 31, you can purchase your own backpacks for 20% off by using code BACKPACK99 at checkout on www.kidorable.com.
Check out all the backpack styles for girls and boys.
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.
Share and Enjoy
Stargazing #Brandcation #GulfCoast
I have to finish telling you all about the rest of my Brandcation trip now that my house is quiet. My last post was about our trip to Adventures Unlimited, which we did during the day on Saturday, May 5. Two weeks ago today actually. Then after a dinner of subs we went stargazing. I don’t know what I expected but it was better than I anticipated and I thoroughly missed having my family with me because they would have loved it. Especially my husband and my second oldest daughter as she studies astronomy for fun and often coaxes us outside to see what she sees, but I don’t always see it that’s the problem!
Dewey and his friends had their telescopes and binoculars all set up in stations for those of us attending, which not only included our group but a few others as well. We were there to see what is known as the Super Moon. At the first station I went to Dewey actually had an accessory that enabled us to attach our iPhones to the telescope and take pictures and video It was so neat. I was able to text video and photos to my husband so they could share in the experience in real time, but of course from home. Dewey even put a screen on the telescope so he could make the moon look red, but I cannot remember why.
I believe the next station was of Venus and the clouds were covering it at the time so while I tried to see it, it was too late. 
Then at the next one I was able to use these huge binoculars to look at the moon, I believe. See already starting to forget little details like that! Getting to look at Saturn was very cool and I so wished I could have got a picture of that but Amy from Grinning Cheek to Cheek did and offered to share.
The last telescope was huge and it was powered by the man’s truck battery, which I didn’t know they could do but it doesn’t surprise me as much as it struck me funny in an ironic sense that it could be done.
The beach was beautiful that night with a gentle breeze and full moon. I wished my husband was there for a romantic walk on the beach, but alas I enjoyed seeing the Gulf side of Portofino Island with Sheri from Kidsumers, Johanna from Mama Chocolate, Lisa from Between the Kids, Amy and a few others that I am probably forgetting were also on the boardwalk with us. I actually did go down to the water very briefly as it is said sharks feed at night and because of so many stories of sharks being close to shore in Florida and I did not want to be a shark snack. Therefore, I quickly felt the water because I wanted to see how cold it was at that time of night – it was warm! Much different than what I am use to coming from living on the Atlantic side for more than half my life, that’s for sure!
Many thanks goes out to Dewey and Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association for sharing their knowledge and time with us! It was amazing. It has motivated me to find local astronomers here to get help learning how to use a telescope that was given to us – thanks to one of Dewey’s friends for suggesting I do that! Oh and by the way Dewey and his friends do this on their own time and for FREE! How awesome is that?
Share and Enjoy
Kids Bowl Free is Open for Registration!
I got my email a few days back that Kidsbowlfree.com is open for registration!
Kids Bowl Free
I signed up my daughter and I got the family pass! My daughter (3 Years Old) can bowl 2 games a day from May 21st to September 30th for FREE! I purchased the family pass for $24.95, added myself, my husband and grandparents (4 names total). At my bowling alley we will need to pay for shoe rentals, but we can bowl anytime they are opened!
It’s going to be fun! Happy Bowling!
Share and Enjoy
Stonyfield Organic Sweeps – Win a Kitchen Makeover!
Anyone need a kitchen makeover? I know I could use one! Here’s your chance!
Register for the “Great Food Find“, find the products from various organic companies put them in your “tote”. If your one of the first 50,000 entries, you’ll receive coupons! Then be entered to win a $15,000.00 new kitchen and food to fill it up!
Good Luck in the Stonyfield Organic Sweeps!
Share and Enjoy
2012 Savory Summer Giveaway #SavorySummer
It is that time of year again with warm weather and sunshine and I bet many of you are thinking picnics, barbecues and pool parties! Well….Welcome to the 2012 Savory Summer blog-hopping giveaway event! I have teamed up with Measuring Flower, Graphoniac, and about 60 other bloggers to bring you yummy food or food-related giveaways (each worth at least $25) Woohoo! Let the party begin!
Grand Prize Sponsors
The grand prize sponsors for this Savory Summer event are Nostalgia Electrics and Ella’s Kitchen, who are each offering prizes worth over $100! If you want to win either prize enter HERE.
Grand Prizes
Nostalgia Electrics Stainless Steel Margarator
$109 ARV
3 Month Supply of Ella’s Kitchen Baby Food Pouches
$170 ARV
My Giveaway Sponsor
Cornucopia Health Scents is providing my giveaway item, which just happens to be one of my businesses. We have been Young Living distributors for nearly two years, but have been using the products for nearly four years. We love Young Living Essential Oils and have made them a part of our every day life.
My Giveaway Item
½ c. water
¼ c. agave
2 c. NingXia Red®
2 12-oz. bags frozen raspberries, blueberries or strawberries
1 orange
Must be 18 years or older and live in the US.
No prize substitutions allowed.
Winners are allowed to win once over a six-month period.
Only email addresses used for the giveaway will be eligible to claim the prize. (I don’t want to hunt you down on Facebook!)
Winner will be notified within a week or two from closing date and item will be shipped directly to winner.
For this giveaway event, I have a 1 liter bottle of Ningxia (ning-sha) Red to giveaway. It is a nutritional supplement high in antioxidants, great for your health and wonderful served cold to your barbecue, picnic or party guests!
1 Liter of Ningxia Red
$55 ARV
About Ningxia Red
Ningxia Red is made of wolfberry puree, blueberry juice, pomegrantate juice, apricot juice, raspberry juice, grape pomace and a proprietary essential blend of blue agave nectar, lemon rind and orange rind. The Ningxia wolfberry has long been considered a national treasure in China. The wolfberry is native to the Ningxia Hui Autonomane Region of Northern China. This potent little red berry offers medicinal and healing benefits.
One ounce of Ningxia Red only has 34 calories!
My Review (and it’s my 5th post in my Losing Weight Series too)
We have used Ningxia Red over the past few years pretty infrequently. However, this past January we started using it on a daily basis. Most of our children like it. It has a different taste, not bad, but different and it definitely tastes better cold!
Over the months I have noticed that I do not have to wear my glasses all the time, especially while reading or doing things on my iPhone. This is strange because ever since I got glasses I have worn them all the time because I am near sighted and hate to see things blurry, so I even wore them while reading. Improving our eyesight is actually what we hoped would happen for as there are seven of us who wear glasses. However, so far I am the only one seeing any difference in my eyesight. Time will tell. The wolfberry is suppose to be very good for the eyes for some reason that I can’t remember.
My second oldest daughter likes to take Ningxia Red to ward off migraines.
We have also drank an ounce or two for a boost of energy too. I have taken as much as 4-5 ounces when I have worked long hours at trade shows so I could stay alert to talk to people and be able to remain awake when I drive home. (This happened back in December!)
Ningxia Red Sorbet
In a small sauce pan, simmer Blue Agave and water for 1–2 minutes or until agave mixes easily with the water. Set aside to cool slightly. In a blender, puree NingXia Red and one bag of raspberries. Transfer mixture into a metal bowl and stir in the zest of half the orange. Next, squeeze half the orange into the mixture. Place agave and water mixture into blender along with the remaining bag of raspberries and puree. If mixture becomes too thick, simply add a cup of the mixture in the bowl. Pour into bowl and fold in until well mixed. Place in freezer and freeze for two hours. Serves 12–15.
Refreshing and yummy summer treat compliments of Young Living! 
How to Enter
Just enter the Rafflecopter form as you would for any of my other giveaways.
Giveaway Rules
The Deadline
Giveaway Ends
Wednesday, May 31, 2012 at 12:01AM CST
Open to U.S. Residents Only
Enter to Win Ningxia Red
Linky to the Giveaways on Other Blogs
Have fun entering the 2012 Savory Summer Giveaway!
Disclosure: Facebook is in no way affiliated with the Savory Summer event, its hosts, its sponsors, or its participating bloggers. The hosts (Measuring Flower and Graphoniac) are not responsible for event sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.
Share and Enjoy
Zip Lining at Adventures Unlimited #Brandcation #GulfCoast @AdventuresUnLtd
My photo taken from my iPhone.
On Saturday at Brandcation we went to Adventures Unlimited in Milton, Florida. They have been in business for 36 years! They own 88 acres of beautiful land, with even an old school house that was renovated into overnight accommodations. They bought it at an auction, moved it to their property and fixed it up! Would have loved to have seen that! And as their name denotes: they have Adventures Unlimited. A relatively new activity, which they added two years ago, is fast becoming one of their most popular activities – Zip lining!
This was our zip line group. Everyone from my condo, plus Joy from Joyful Musings:
We spent the whole day there with Adventures Unlimited providing us a box lunch – yummy! The morning we spent zip lining. I admit I am not very adventurous and was really hesitant about even going to Brandcation because of zip lining, however, I went on the practice line and nearly took my arms out of their sockets due to panicking Seriously, one of the guides warned me if I did what I did by grabbing the line he’d have to ground me. Not sure if that was said just to discourage me from panicking again or if he was serious. By the way the guides were both great. Courteous, ready to assist with gear etc.
The problem with my zipping is that there is a technique to braking on the line and let’s just say I did not have it down after one trip down the practice line. Even though my legs shook and my tummy churned, I walked to the first big line. Let’s just say it was high…
This was the first zip line “tower”:
Let’s just say that when Sheila made her way back down the spiral stairway, I did too. If I nearly jerked my arm out of joint on the practice run, what would I do on the larger runs? Nah-uh, not for me. If I could do anything again, it would be the practice run because seriously it wasn’t too high and maybe I could eventually learn how to brake with my hand, right? Thankfully, the owner was very understanding, saying it wasn’t for everyone. He offered to take Sheila and I down to the river to see our group when they came in from the nine zip lines they were doing that day. Sheila declined but I went and it was so peaceful. I could hear the lines “zipping” and the surroundings were beautiful. I just loved being out in God’s wonderful creation. I took pictures of the river and got video footage of our whole group zipping on the last line.
This is of Denise, the first one to zip this line.
The majority of ladies thoroughly enjoyed the zip lining, even those who had a fear of heights. They were the ones who felt empowered because they had overcame their fears. The last 900 ft line was the best from what I heard and many wanted to do that one again and again!
The afternoon we spent on the river tubing 4 miles. It was so much fun! I loved chatting with the ladies, laughing at myself as I flopped on and off my tube and racing with Paula and Maryann – they were the “Queens” of the river! We maneuvered stumps, shallow water, an island and rocks – more adventures and sore shoulders! But I loved it because I love nature and the water, which was a refreshing 70 degrees.
My photo taken with my iPhone.
It truly was a wonderful day and it was awesome of Adventures Unlimited to sponsor our day! Feel free to connect with them at their website, Facebook or Twitter.
Other photos courtesy of Brandy Goleman Photography
