Lisa Loeb and "Inside the Crayon Box" with @Crayola !

I'm really excited to share this upcoming live chat with you.  Hope you can attend!

Crayola wants every child to be creatively alive, so they’re inviting parents “Inside the Crayon Box,” for a special live chat with celebrities and trusted parenting experts that will inspire and spark ideas to expand your child’s creative thinking. If you find yourself looking for new ways to inspire your children to express their ideas and build their creativity, you’ll want to join us to learn and share!

The first “Inside the Crayon Box” live chat is Wednesday, March 7 at 9 p.m. EST. Join Crayola and musician, children’s author and mom, Lisa Loeb for a 45-minute live streaming video chat on the Crayola Facebook page. Lisa, best-known for her number one hit “Stay (I Missed You),” will share as personal stories, practical advice and ways she brings a little creative play into every day for her daughter. We want to hear from you - participants can ask Lisa questions during the event, too!

Interested in the topics to be covered during the chat?

• Why Does Creativity Matter? Creativity is not about who’s the best artists or becoming an architect. It’s a way of thinking that encourages kids’ original ideas and develops their confidence.
• Growing Up Creative. Lisa will share stories about growing up in a home where creativity was encouraged.
• Simple Tips. Easy Ideas. Like most moms, Lisa juggles a lot. She’ll share simple, easy ways she sparks her daughter’s creativity as part of their daily routine.

The MyBlogSpark giveaway to follow is going to be amazing!  The prize pack is stocked with Crayola products sure to dazzle your little ones!  More info to come :)

Gigi God's Little Princess DVD Set Giveaway

Congratulations Sarah!  You are the winner of these wonderful DVDs!  Your little princess is sure to enjoy them.

Sheila Walsh’s Gigi DVD sets: Real Princesses Treat Everyone Like Royalty and God Made Princesses in All Shapes and Sizes were a big hit with my daughters ages 3 and 5 (and me too!). 

I was impressed with the way Gigi handled situations that my girls are in each day.  When she doesn’t make the soccer team her dad lets her know that even though she was not good at soccer, God had given her other gifts and He wants us to use those gifts.   He did not sugar coat it and give her false hopes, or blame it on something else, but lovingly encouraged her to find her own talent.    When her best friend got sick and couldn’t go to the long-awaited circus, she didn’t go either because it wouldn’t be as fun without her friend there so she brings joy to her sick friend instead.  Gigi is always thinking of others. 

The series show girls that they are created by God to be unique princesses, beautiful on the inside.  It also emphasizes how important it is to care for others.  Each episode is based on a Bible verse that is given at the end of the episode.  Each DVD contained 4 episodes and bonus features which include sing-along songs, trivia games, and “How to Draw’ videos.  

Would you like the Gigi DVDs

for the princess in your life?

Mandatory entry:

Share how your daughters

(grand daughters, nieces, etc.) 

can learn how to be God’s little princess

from the Gigi stories.

For an extra entry, tweet the following:
My daughter can be #JustLikeGigi thanks to @iblamemom & @TommyNelson http://iblamemom.blogspot.com/2012/02/gigi-gods-little-princess-dvd-set.html

The giveaway will end Friday, February 24 at 9 pm EST.  A winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email.

I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa

My Mother-in-Law made this amazing salsa a few weeks ago.  It is such a fresh taste (even from frozen berries) and the color is beautiful.  The tart berries are offset by the spicy jalapeno, ginger, and cilantro.  Whoever thought to make cranberries into a salsa was brilliant!  It's the whole sweet-and-salty thing for me.

Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa

12 oz. fresh or frozen whole cranberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 or 3 chopped green onions
1 seeded fresh jalapeno
1 Tablespoon grated ginger
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Pulse the cranberries and sugar in a food processor 3 or 4 times until coarsely chopped.  Scrape down the sides and add onions, jalapeno, ginger, lemon juice, and salt.  Pulse another 3 or 4 times.  Stir in cilantro and chill for 2 to 24 hours.  Serve with tortilla chips. 

BONUS!  To freeze, make as directed but without the cilantro.  Freeze up to 1 month.  Thaw 12 hours and then add cilantro.

I think this would be great with cream cheese on crackers or even as a salad topping with spinach, feta, and walnuts. I haven't tried it either way yet.  Let me know if you do. 

Linked to:

Swagbucks 4th Birthday Celebration

Swagbucks is having their 4th Birthday Celebration on February 27th, and to celebrate they're giving out four $1000 prizes!

Here's how you enter to win the $1000:

1. Go to this page and RSVP for the Swagbucks Birthday Bash, a 24-hr Team Challenge happening on the 27th.

2. Pick one of the two parties and RSVP for it - if you don't have a preference, click "Surprise Me"

3. That's it - do that and you're entered to win! We're revealing the 4 winners on February 27th, and until then you can invite others to join you at the party you're attending by sharing on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Not yet a member of Swagbucks?  Go HERE to sign up and start earning free stuff (think Amazon.com gift certificates) just by searching the Internet!

Italian Days at Publix $25 Gift Card #giveaway #MyBlogSpark

Congratulations Farrah!  You are the winner of the $25 Publix Gift Card. WooHoo for free groceries!

Al dente pasta, savory sauces, hearty meatballs, these are just a few of the delicious ingredients that can be featured in authentic Italian cuisine. When it comes to cooking traditional Italian dishes the possibilities are endless, and you don’t have to travel all the way to Italy to taste the tradition! With Italian Days, available exclusively at Publix, you can find great prices and coupon savings on some of your favorite brands including Progresso, Green Giant, and Muir Glen and purchase everything you need for great Italian recipes like, Meatballs and Twisters.

While visiting Italian Days at Publix from February 16th through February 29th, you can also enter the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes for a chance to be 1 of 500 shoppers that will win a $100 Publix® gift card, sponsored by General Mills.





To enter to win the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes and download great coupon savings and delicious recipes, look in-store or follow the instructions below:

1. Click – Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix, by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you’re registered and logged in, you can participate in any the current promotions.
2. Call – If you’d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes.  Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).
3. Mail – If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information   (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 44257, Atlanta, Georgia 30336.

One of our favorite Italian meals is Meatball Sub Casserole

(or just plain meatball subs!). 

YOU can win a $25 Publix Gift Card too!

To enter, tell me your favorite Italian meal.

Additional Entries:

1.  "Like" I Blame My Mother on Facebook HERE

2.  Follow I Blame My Mother on Twitter HERE

3.  Friend me with Google Friend Connect

4.  Subscribe via email.

I will end the giveaway on Friday, February 24, at 9 pm EST. 

Giveaway open to US Residents

The Publix Club gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Remember Atari?

It’s time to dust off your sweat bands, leg warmers and neon tees and head on over to your local Target® to moon walk down the cereal aisle, as Big G cereals have brought back their “Retro” themed packaging, 80’s style. Big G cereals will be channeling their Retro roots and to help celebrate, they have partnered with Atari®, bringing classic 80’s games like Asteroids, Missile Command and Centipede to your breakfast table.

 



Collect all 5 different packages that include totally radical Atari Activities on the back of each box; available exclusively at Target starting February through mid-March

• Participating Big G cereals include: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cheerios® (18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz.)
• Did we mention it was Atari’s 40th Anniversary this year? Be sure to check out GrocerySavvy.com and test your online Atari gaming skills at Asteroids while also entering in a sweepstakes for chance to win Target gift cards and Atari merchandise

I had an Atari game system (and PONG before that) that got worn out from playing PitFall, Centipede, PacMan, and Frogger.  Remember Frogger??  So fun!  These boxes are a little bit of nostalgia.  Go to Target and check them out!!

Disclosure:  Cereal, Target gift card, and information have been provided by General Mills, Atari and Target through MyBlogSpark.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Did you do any fun heart foods?

We used to eat graham crackers and frosting (the tub kind) growing up.  Now with chocolate graham crackers and homemade buttercream, these are much better.  Adorn them with non-perils and hearts and they are even better :)

Cut apples in slices.  Core each slice with a small heart cutter.  Reassemble the apple, holding it together with a rubber band so it doesn't brown.   Perfect for a fun school lunch.

This weekend Lexi was reading the Fancy Nancy oo-la-la spa book so Emma decided to give everyone a spa makeover!  Fun stuff!

Oatmeal mask.  UV Ray therapy.

 

Foot soak with massaging beads.

A day at the spa is a great Valentine's treat!

My Newest Cake - 1966 Shelby Cobra Cake

I had no idea that there even was such a thing as a 1966 Shelby Cobra before taking on this project.  Nice car.  Fun cake to make.  This is my first cake of a three cake weekend.  Thankfully the others are just large layer cakes. 

My oldest turned 9 this week and we had a slumber party for 11 girls on Saturday.  Wow.  That is an undertaking that I can do once or twice a year max.  We played freeze tag outside with all the lights off and glow bracelets on.  I love this picture of all of them glowing.  We also played LOTS of Just Dance 3.  Can't beat that.

For Christmas we got the girls Jeremy Camp tickets...and the concert is tomorrow (I guess it's tonight, I'm up WAY past my bedtime.  Only time to do the cake.).  WooHoo.  I'm sure I am more excited than the girls.  I really don't like concerts (I really am getting old) but Jeremy Camp is my favorite and I can't wait to do a little worshipping!

I'm still watching the Mars Hill Luke Sermon series and loving it.  Check it out if you are in need of some Bible time.  I'm on part 14, Jesus Without Sin.  Awesome. 

Off to bed!

Got Swagbucks?

Swagbucks is releasing a new set of Collector's Bills just in time for Valentine's Day - 5 romantic reminders worth different amounts of reward points. Collect them all and get 14 Bonus Swag Bucks to use towards your free stuff! The bills come out at midnight PT on Monday and will be available only through Search until 11:59pm PT on Valentine's Day. Good luck!