Time to pamper yourself with a $25 Spa & Salon WISH gift card Giveaway

Are you ready to pamper yourself or gift a nice gift for someone else to be pampered? The card can be used at over 4,000 salons nationwide for massages, facials, pedicures, hair styling, store products and more. 

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor I have a

$25 Spa Salon WISH

gift card giveaway!  

I'm going to make this really simple for you to enter! 

TO ENTER- You must go to my other blog, The Homeschool Messenger, and enter the Katie and Kimble Giveaway.  You must do the required entry and come back here and tell me that you did.  

BONUS ENTRIES (leave separate comment for each entry and email contact at least once)

1) For each entry you complete at the Katie and Kimble Giveaway come back here and leave a comment. You will get 2 entries here for  each entry over at Katie and Kimble.

2) Left side bar has my google friend connect, networked blogs connect and facebook fan page.  Each one you friend I will give you 2 entries each.

3) Blog the giveaway and you will get 5 entries- post link in comments

4) Put the giveaway on a giveaway site and you will get 5 entries- post link in comments

5) Tweet this as many times as you want. Each tweet gives you 2 entries.- post link in comments
"Come win a $25 Spa Gift Card @susieqtpies Quick and Easy! http://bit.ly/blC6es Enter & RT to WIN"

That simple!  Now enter to win an easy $25 gift card! Giveaway ends February 23rd.  USA only.

Top 10 tips for a fun, distraction-free family vacation!

 Old-time, The Brady Bunch-style of family vacations are no longer a reqular event in our society.  The Brady Bunch would gather all the kids and Alice and head out to explore the good US of A.  I love their Grand Canon Trip.  These were the days before electronics.  Airplanes and cruise ships have allowed us to go explore islands (don't get me wrong here this is FUN). These modes of transportation  also give us way too many option to not spend time together as a family. I think if you want high quality family time you need to plan a vacation on the road, in your car!

TwitterMoms and Alamo are asking us to give our top 10 checklist for a fun, distraction-free family vacation. These blog post are going to be on the new TwitterMoms Travel Channel.
 

Tips for a good Ole' US of A road trip:

1) Get out the USA Atlas.  Sit down with your family and talk about places to visit in the USA.  Don't use your computer to "google" sites.  Just sit down open up the atlas and see where the imagination and knowledge of those at the table lead you. Did a particular place pop out as a place of interest? Make that your vacation destination.

2) Now get out the calendars and set your date.  This needs to be done in writing! Put the block of time on the family calendar so everyone can see it.  This is the date you are all going to stick too.  This is an important time to teach your family that the time you set aside together is important and precious.  No other plans are going to get in the way.

3) Over the next few months, before you go on your vacation, set a weekly time to get together and plan the trip.  This is the time to get online to check out Geocaching.  You can plan your trip and plan what stops you want to make there and back.  Geocaching is a great way to take you to fun stops and explore nature with your family.  You will want to purchase a hand held GPS for this trip. 
Here are two that I recommend:

4) During your family meetings, talk about what everyone wants to get out of this vacation.  Discuss electronics.  I think that this trip would be a perfect time to put away electronic and give them a vacation from your hands and face.  If cell phones go on the trip, keep them powered off.  Set 1 hour a day that they can have their phones on to text friends.  Other than that put the phones to rest.  Don't take these on your trip: DS, laptops, mp3 players, travel DVD players,etc.  Give the electronics a vacation and leave them at home.

5) Let everyone take ownership of this vacation.  Let them divide into teams.  Car snack food team, Car entertainment team, photographer, journalist, etc.  This will give everyone a chance to participate and make this the best family vacation, ever! Don't forget to let your teens drive!  The picture at the top of the page are when my twin teens were tiny! They are now old enough to drive.  Give them the responsibility to take the family on a trip! They need and want it (even if they try and deny it)!

6) This is stretching it for some but plan places to sleep in tiny towns.  Don't go to the mega hotels with mega amenities.  Take on a small town motel with small beds and tiny tv's.  The focus needs to be on the family.  Large hotels will have too many distractions.

7) Hire someone to take care of your pets/house while you are gone.  This can cause a lot of stress for the family.  No one wants the pets left behind.  Get someone you trust to house sit or check daily on the pets.  Have them send a phone photo of the pets once a day.  That way all can be reassured the pets are fine.  Just think how fun it will be to turn on your phone after a fun day and see pics of your animals having fun at home.  Don't forget to bring the pets back a souvenir.

8) Go shopping in your home for books, magazine, cross word puzzles, pens, pencils, crayons, coloring books,etc  Search for little balls, toys, stickers, tattoos, etc. Make a few travel bags of these goodies.  Pull out something ever so many miles.  These old things sitting around your  home will now become new things! This is a huge hit with my crowd!

9) Buy a travel bingo car kit.  This is all fun! Make sure everyone will have their own board!  This will get everyone playing for fun prizes.  Make a Travel Bingo bag before the trip. Include this game and have everyone find  "prizes" in your house for the winners.  This could be a stick a gum, left over Easter candy, tattoos, glow stick,etc.  Fun to win!

10) Take time each day to get at least one group photo.  At the end of the day give everyone a dated piece of paper.  Have them write a few things about their day.  Put all of these in a little box.  Bring these back out in a few months, after your vacation!  These will be a reminder of the fun, distraction-free family vacation you had together.  I guarantee that they will want to do it again!!

Check out other Top 10 tips!

Travel Tips for Moms & FamiliesReserve Now | Quicksilver | Online Check-in | Pre-pay & Save | Self-Service Kiosk
Thanks to TwitterMoms and Alamo for the contest.  To enter go to TwitterMoms!

Congrats to Author Linda Thieman for getting a Mom's Choice Award *GIVEAWAY*

 

PRESS RELEASE

Mom’s Choice Awards® Names the Katie & Kimble Series by Linda Thieman among the Best in Family-friendly Media

The Mom’s Choice Awards® has named the Katie & Kimble (A Ghost Story) series by Iowa author Linda Thieman among the best in family-friendly media, products and services. The MCA is an annual competition known for establishing the benchmark of excellence in these areas.

When the great flu pandemic struck America’s shores in 1918, it took with it an estimated 675,000 men, women and children.

In her imaginative first book in the award-winning chapter book series, Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story, author Linda Thieman follows one of the young victims, named Kimble, and her nine-year-old friend, Katie, who just moved into Kimble’s old house.

Though ghostly in its viewpoint, the story does not fit into its genre’s stereotype. Rather, Thieman’s ghost is a funny, adventuresome little girl who not only helps Katie, but receives help from her friend in return.

Written to inspire the 7- to 10-year-old set, Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story is an educational adventure for the parental set, too, giving insight into the worldwide pandemic, Kimble’s Jewish customs, and even a bit about the supernatural.

Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

MCA judges are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis free from any manufacturer association. The evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost.

To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five identical samples of a product. Entries are matched to judges in the MCA database. Judges perform a thorough analysis and submit a detailed assessment. Results are compiled and submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final approval.

The end result is a list of the best in family-friendly media, products and services that parents and educators can feel confident in using.

Other past Mom’s Choice Awards® recipients have included Meredith Vieira, Founder of Club Mom and Today Show Co-Host (Celebrity Mom of the Year) and O, The Oprah Magazine (Magazine of the Year).

Thieman graduated from Storm Lake Community High School and received a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. She now resides in Sioux City, Iowa.

For more information on the awards program and the honorees, visit MomsChoiceAwards

For more information on the Katie & Kimble series, visit http://www.katieandkimbleblog.com

Katie & Kimble Series by Linda Thieman honored with Mom's Choice Awards Giveaway

 

PRESS RELEASE

Mom’s Choice Awards® Names the Katie & Kimble Series by Linda Thieman among the Best in Family-friendly Media

The Mom’s Choice Awards® has named the Katie & Kimble (A Ghost Story) series by Iowa author Linda Thieman among the best in family-friendly media, products and services. The MCA is an annual competition known for establishing the benchmark of excellence in these areas.

When the great flu pandemic struck America’s shores in 1918, it took with it an estimated 675,000 men, women and children.

In her imaginative first book in the award-winning chapter book series, Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story, author Linda Thieman follows one of the young victims, named Kimble, and her nine-year-old friend, Katie, who just moved into Kimble’s old house.

Though ghostly in its viewpoint, the story does not fit into its genre’s stereotype. Rather, Thieman’s ghost is a funny, adventuresome little girl who not only helps Katie, but receives help from her friend in return.

Written to inspire the 7- to 10-year-old set, Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story is an educational adventure for the parental set, too, giving insight into the worldwide pandemic, Kimble’s Jewish customs, and even a bit about the supernatural.

Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

MCA judges are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis free from any manufacturer association. The evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost.

To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five identical samples of a product. Entries are matched to judges in the MCA database. Judges perform a thorough analysis and submit a detailed assessment. Results are compiled and submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final approval.

The end result is a list of the best in family-friendly media, products and services that parents and educators can feel confident in using.

Other past Mom’s Choice Awards® recipients have included Meredith Vieira, Founder of Club Mom and Today Show Co-Host (Celebrity Mom of the Year) and O, The Oprah Magazine (Magazine of the Year).

Thieman graduated from Storm Lake Community High School and received a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. She now resides in Sioux City, Iowa.

For more information on the awards program and the honorees, visit MomsChoiceAwards

For more information on the Katie & Kimble series, visit http://www.katieandkimbleblog.com

I'm a very excited mom today! My daughter, Emily, loves this book series.  What a thrill to have already read this book series and then hear of it honored Award! 

Thanks to the author, Linda Thieman, she is offering the two books for a giveaway on my blog! Come enter and get a set your set for that someone special!  Don't let the "ghost story" scare you away from wanting these books for your 5-10 year olds.  Kimble is not a scary ghost! She is more of a kindred spirit to Katie and helps her on a quest that is very engaging and heartfelt.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to Enter: (leave separate comments for each entry)

Visit the Katie & Kimble Blog and have a look around. Then come back here and make a comment on something from her blog. This is your entry to the giveaway.

BONUS entries

1) Follow @LindaThieman on twitter for 5 entries

2) Tweet this blog post up to twice a day for 2 entries each
"Come win Katie & Kimble" honored by Mom's Choice Award @susieqtpies http://bit.ly/boTY7e"

3)  Click each of the above pictures of Katie & Kimble to read more from my blog about the books. Comment on those blog post and come back here and get 5 entries per comment!

4) Follow my blog on Google Friend connect and Networked blogs 1 entry each

5) Follow me on twitter @susieqtpies 2 entries

6) Go enter FEDDIE GIRL BOOK GIVEAWAY   http://bit.ly/9wYT8l

Leave a message there and come back here and claim your 10 BONUS ENTRIES!!!! 

GIVEAWAY is for US and Canada. Must be at least 18 to enter. 

Ends February 22.

Today is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day {Copycat Olive Garden}

This is the ultimate pasta comfort food recipe. A popular dish that I make occasionally is Fettuccine Alfredo. I've made it for many years using various recipes. This one is a copycat of the Olive Garden recipe.

A few years ago our paths crossed with Rich and Kristi Heinz! They both shared this recipe "Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce" in their 2003 Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lanesville, Indiana Cookbook.

A copy of this book was given to me to help replace my loss of several hundred cookbooks during Hurricane Katrina.  When we want a no meat meal this is the first choice! My husband prefers to have meat with his meals so I add chicken and sometimes shirmp for him.  I've included my twist to this recipe with my grilled shrimp and chicken.

*****************************************************************

(Olive Garden) Alfredo Sauce with grilled shrimp and chicken

1 pt. heavy cream (half & half can be used but not milk)

1 Stick of butter
2 T. cream cheese
1/2-3/4 c. Parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder or fresh minced garlic

salt & pepper to taste

In saucepan, combine butter, heavy cream & cream cheese. Simmer this until all is melted and mixed well. Add the Parmesan cheese and garlic. Simmer for about 15-20 min. on low.

While the sauce is simmering I make my pasta. You can use whatever you like. Cook according to pkg instructions.

 If we are having meat I then grill the shrimp and chicken breast strips. I rub McCormick Grill Mates Seafood RUB on both the shrimp and chicken. The seasoning is just right! This savory, sweet, spicy blend of garlic, rosemary, lemon peel, chili peppers and cedar smoke flavor gives seafood a bold, flavorful crust that seals in juices. and it seals in the moisture of the meats!  

Grill shrimp 3-5 minutes & chicken 6-8 minutes.  Final step is to toss the pasta with the sauce. I usually leave a little leftover for dipping with the breadstick or garlic bread. This is a yummy dish. If you have anything to share I would love to hear it. I'm always up to trying new recipes!

 

My Broccoli Potato Cheese soup made Meal of the Day at Half Hour Meals!

Yippiee!!! My soup is a cover girl today!  Here is the widget. Click to check out Half Hour Meals!  My soup is the picture and featured recipe for today, Saturday February 6th!  So if you are viewing this today my soup is on the below widget!!!  Yippiee!!! In case the photo is gone here is the link to the soup,  Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup.

Feel free to share a link to one of your soups at the end of this post.....

Homemade Soups

Redbox Movie Code WINNERS *10* giveaway winners

Hi Readers!!!  Thanks to all who participated in the  REDBOX movie code giveaway!!!  I was so impressed with how quickly you all entered to win!  I'm giving away all 10 codes! I was going to save a few for another giveaway but with all who entered and tweeted, blogged ,etc I gave them all away now!!! Hopefully I will have more again soon!!!

Here are the Winners!  I will email you and you must confirm within 24 hours or I'll repick!  As soon as you confirm your win I will give you your code!!!

WINNERS:

 LISA F.

 JOY AND MELISSA 

 SHELLY

 Jerri M.

 CHERYL F.

 JEN @GBG

 KARLA

LEANNEGIP

ROMAPR

CARMEN GUAJARDO

Thanks and HAPPY Movie watching with REDBOX!
Thanks REDBOX for suppling the giveaway codes!!!!