Winner Time!

And now its time to announce the winner of the Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Book set!



Here we go........
And post #34 belongs to...


So....

.:sommersclan:.

You have 48 hours from the timestamp of this post to contact me so I can get you your prize! Thanks everyone for playing!

Thriving on Less

Times are hard in this economy for everyone. I have found a great book to help you live life simply.

Here is a site offering up a e-book download for a book called Thriving on Less-Simplifying in a tough economy.

From the introduction:

The recent economic recession has a lot of people worried, about their jobs, their businesses, their homes and their bills. When your income is dropping or in jeopardy and you still have a mountain of bills to pay, things can get pretty scary.

However, tough economic times do not have to be a time of struggles! If you look for the opportunity in the middle of difficulty, as Mr. Einstein suggested, then tough economic times become an opportunity to transform your life.

Click Here for your free download.

Don't worry your pretty little heads...

I know the Cheerios Spoonful of Stories giveaway ended Saturday. I was all prepared to pick my winner Sunday and then well I sort of forgot.

So I got up this morning thinking I would do it but when I turned on my computer...no Internet. I tried everything I knew to do and it just would not connect. Anyways... my hubby got home and worked his magic and BAM! Now I have Internet!

Don't worry...a winner will be picked and posted by the end of the day Tuesday so be on the look out!

Eggplant Parmesan

So my garden has been go to me. OK, part of it has been good to me. And one of the good things is the eggplant is producing. I love eggplant!
So tonight I decided it was time to slice into these bad boys!

Here is my no fail recipe for Eggplant Parmesan!

Eggplant Parmesan

1 medium eggplant,sliced

1 egg, beaten with 2 tbsp. milk

Italian bread crumbs

Olive oil

Spaghetti sauce

1/2 lb. mozzarella, sliced

1 c. Parmesan

1. Preheat oven to 400° and grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
2. Wash and slice eggplant into 1/2" slices.
3. Dip into egg mixture and coat well with bread crumbs.
4. Arrange eggplant on baking sheet in one layer; drizzle with olive oil.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown; turn and bake 15 more minutes.
6. Arrange eggplant in a baking dish in 1 layer.
7. Spread about 2 tbsp. spaghetti sauce on each slice and cover with cheese; repeat layers of sauce and cheese until gone.Top with Parmesan and bake 20 minutes.

I serve this with a big salad, noodles and the remaining marinara sauce!

The Melting Pot Candle Co. Turns 1!

The Melting Pot Candle Company turns 1 today!

And to celebrate she is having a Birthday Party!

Come party with us all week long with great discounts and fabulous party gifts!

EVERY order will receive a party favor bag filled with products from our new bath and body selection and tarts!

EVERY order will also receive a scratch off ticket and EVERY ticket WINS!!!

Don't miss out on this great event!!!

June 26, 2009 -July 3, 2009

Boon Product Giveaway!

Tenille over at Fiesty, Frugal, and Fabulous is having a fantastic giveaway right now!

She has 1 of 3 different Boon Bath time toys up for grabs! I love Boon product and my kids love taking baths so this is a terrific giveaway for me! I wanted to share it with all of you as well!

So take a little time and click right here to enter for your chance to win!

4 Free Issues of Business Week

Business Week is offering 4 issues free to try them out. You'll also receive Power Plays, a digital playbook which reveals how some of the most influential business leaders get to the top of their game PLUS access to their online issues.

If you want to keep receiving copies after that, you can continue subscription for up to 88% off newstand prices. Visit BusinessWeek to check for availability.

Pioneer Woman's Huevos Ree-os

I am so not a morning person. I hardly ever eat breakfast, unless coffee is now considered to be a acceptable breakfast food with nutritional value. I love breakfast food, but not for breakfast. I love bacon and french toast, but just for dinner! I will eat it in the morning though if the kids are pulling for some pancakes or IHOP( I try to convince them that Cracker Barrel is so much better. I have only won that battle once).

While I was doing my blog surfing last night I found something that total caught my eye! I love eggs too, so this recipe was calling my name over and over. The Pioneer Woman Cooks had up a delicious recipe called Huevo Ree-os. I knew as soon as I saw the recipe I had to make them. So as a pick me up for this Thursday Morning, I did. These were so super easy, literally took 10 minutes or less. Let me tell you, it took me less than 10 minutes to devour them! The only thing that would of made them better would of been some beans, but I did not have any! *Mental Note: have beans ready for this recipe at all times!*

My Picture is not that great, but it was delicious!

Princesses Save The Ball Free DVD

Mattel is giving away the DVD “Princesses Save The Ball” Episode 1!

No cost! Not even shipping! I just ordered mine, so act fast! It did say to allow 12-14 weeks for delivery.

Click here to place your order today!

Garden Goodness

I really don't have a "green thumb". I am known for killing plants. My herbs, always die. Not that this heat wave we have helps, but it seems like no matter what I do..something I am trying to grow dies!

Well, this year we decided to take a chance and plant a garden. We planted squash, bell peppers, green beans, cucumbers, eggplants, cantaloupe, carrots, green leaf lettuce and pumpkins. The pumpkins grew great at first, then they were attacked by some caterpillars. No idea why they chose just the pumpkins but they did. The kids were upset, but what can you do?! We will try again next year. The carrots never took but my Mother in Law informed me that carrots do not do well in our weather. Guess I should research better next time.
The squash was doing fantastic, got 3 or 4 off of a plant, then the next thing I know a stray cat has decided that's a good looking spot to take a nap. needless to say that one of the squash plants died, but I am nursing the other one back to health(I think). I do not like this cat or any cat really, so I hope he does not come and ruin another plant in my garden again!

The point to this post is to try new things! I never thought I would have the wonderful garden I have right now. Lots of cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, and the bell pepper plants look like they are about to pop out some peppers any day now!
I have learned that I will need another garden box for next year and I also learned what grows great and what won't grow at all! So take a chance and have some fun! Build a garden in your backyard! And you can check this post about how to water your garden for free!

Princess Tutu Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the Handmade Tutu made my Little Tutu is......



So the winner is....Tori!




I will email the winner and she will have 48 hours to contact me to confirm the win.

Thank you all for entering and thank you again Audra for offering this great giveaway on my site!

Victory for Peter Facinelli !!

Peter Facinelli posted a YouTube video this weekend saying his buddy conceded the bet! He had issues with Twitter, this followers numbers kept changing. Luckily Twitter responded saying he had so many followers coming in, that they thought it was Spam so they were removing them! With the official letter from Twitter and followers taking screenshots of the numbers over 500,000, his friend Rob conceded!

YAY! A grown man doing the bikini dance!

Take a look at his video thanking the fans!

Cheerios Spoonful of Stories

My Blog Spark is working with Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Program, which focuses on the importance of children reading and the value of having parents and their children read together.

Over the past seven years, Cheerios Spoonful of Stories has given away more than 35 million children's books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated nearly $ 3 million to First Book, their non- profit partner, which provides books to children for low- income families. In addition to encouraging children to read, Cheerios is looking for anyone interested in writing children's books. Now in it's third year, the Cheerios Spoonful of Stories New Author Contest is a way to encourage previously unpublished, up-and-coming children's book authors and to continue to nurture a love of reading. Entries are being accepted March 16 through July 15,2009 and will be judged on appropriate story and content for children ages 3-8, emotional connection, writing quality, uniqueness, and read-aloud potential. More details of the contest can be found at the website Spoonful of Stories Contest.

Shellie Braeuner, the first years winner, won for her book " The Great Dog Wash". This nanny from Nashville won a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing. Simon and Schuster offered Shellie a book deal-and will publish her book, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, in hardcover this summer. In addition, Cheerios will be featuring "The Great Dog Wash" free inside 1.5 million boxes of Cheerios. The book has been specially printed in paperback in both English and Spanish.

Cheerios is also announcing the winners of the second New Author Contest:

- Lori Degman of Vernon Hills, IL., won the top prize for her story, "1 Zany Zoo." In addition to winning a $5,000 cash prize from Cheerios, Degman earned the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing. Simon and Schuster has since offered Degman a book deal, her book is expected to be released in 2010, initially in paperback distributed inside Cheerios boxes, and later in hardcover sold in the market.

Cheerios also named two runners-up in the contest: Tameka Fryer Brown, of Charlotte, N.C., for her story " I'm Not Eating That!" and Joan Stradling, of Star Valley, AZ., for her story, "Who Invites a Pig to Dinner?". Both Brown and Stradling will receive a cash prize of $ 1,000 from Cheerios.

Are you or someone you know an aspiring children's book author? Enter the Contest!

My kids love to be read too. My oldest daughter loves to read to all of us now that she has learned to read. We all really enjoyed these books so much! They have definitely been added to our rotation of bedtime stories! Their favorite is the book, " When Dinosaurs Came With Everything".

WIN IT!

I have a complimentary Spoonful of Stories gift set to giveaway to one of my readers, thanks to My Blog Spark! To enter, you must Answer one of the following questions(these are a must to be entered, read on for how you can earn even more entries!):

1. How often do you read with your children?

2. What is your favorite Children's book?

3. If you could be a character from a children's book, who would it be?

Extra Entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link in a comment.

2. Tweet about this giveaway on twitter, leaving me the link in a comment

3. Follow my blog and leave a comment letting me know.

4. Follow me on twitter, just click the Follow me button my blog, leave me a comment with your twitter name so I know you are following me!

Books are in English and Spanish. CONTEST ENDS SATURDAY JUNE 27TH!

Save Cows, Eat Chicken!

It is the 5th Annual Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A!

Show your appreciation for the cows while eating more chicken.

Put on your best cow costume and join us for free fun on July 10!



Come to any Chick-fil-a Restaurant on July 10th dressed as a cow and you get a free meal! Free food! Who can beat that?!



Need some help with a costume? Just click HERE! Chick-fil-a is helping you out with a costume kit!

A Giggle is Worth a Thousand Words

After weeks of trying, I finally captured Jacob's giggle on camera!

And it is such a glorious sound!

Anyone want to follow Peter Facinelli?

So, well we all know how much I love Twilight. I mean really...let's be honest here....I'm addicted! It is a serious obsession. I have OCD(Obsessive Cullen Disorder) like no one you have ever met!





It has been brought to my attention that Peter Facinelli(you know the hunk that plays the compassionate Dr. Carlisle Cullen) needs our help! He has made a bet with his friend Rob Defranco(the man who designed his website). The bet is that Peter can get 500,000 followers on Twitter by Friday 19th June - if he loses, he has to give his friend his Twilight Actors Chair. If he wins, his friend has to walk down Hollywood Boulevard in a Bikini singing "All The Single Ladies"!

So, all you have to do is become a follower of Peter Fancinelli.

So come on loyal Twilight Fans! Let's help Peter out!

Free Museums and Free Events!

Target Community has a list up of free events going on all across the United States!


This is a good site to visit, especially now while school is out and the kiddos get bored at home!



Just CLICK HERE and see if there is anything going on in your area!

Calling all Princesses!!!

I found this wonderful WAHM named Audra one day surfing the net. Audra is owner and Creator of My Lil Tutu. Her company is brand new, but very promising! Audra specializes in handmade custom tutu's for your little girl! I can not even begin to tell you how cute these little things are! You must see these little cuties for yourself!

Are those not the cutest things you have ever seen?! I wanted to share Audra with you guys because we all know how much I love WAHM's! Since she is a brand new Company, I thought we would do our usual little interview so you can get to know her as a person and her company.

So, take it away Audra!

Tell me about you and your family……
My Name is Audra and I'm a WAHM!! I've been married to my hubby for almost 3 years now!! My sweet baby girl is 2 and I have a step son who is 12!

Whats your store name and link?
My Lil Tutu www.myspace.com/457421332

What do you specialize in?
Making tutus for your little princess!!

How did you get started?
I've always loved making things and trying to be creative! One of my friends is an Awesome photographer and was always taking my daughters pictures for me. I would make tutus for her pictures and then I would post up her pictures on a mommy forum we were on. I was getting so much feedback on them and then they started asking me if I was selling them. So I sold a few here and there and word got around! Now I sell them on myspace and also sell them in a local children's store here in town! My daughter is definitely my inspiration!

What do you love about your business?
I love when the parents send me a picture of their little girls in my tutus and just to see the smile on their face makes my day!!! I love that I can make something to make someone smile!

What is your favorite product right now?
My hot pink tutu with zebra ribbon! SO cute!

What makes your shop different?
I love what I do! I wouldn't sell or ship anything I wouldn't put on my own daughter! All of my tutus can be custom made to fit and made in any colors!

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
http://www.gymbofriends.com/

What do you love about handcrafts?
I love that someone took them time to make it and create it!

What are some of your favorite online shops?
www.myspace.com/customizedforyou
http://www.lexibugsphotography.com/
http://www.sweetsoles.com/
www.myspace.com/bowheadbowholdersandmore
www.myspace.com/thisnthatboutiquesupply

Thank you Audra for telling us about yourself and your company!

Now for you readers out there, we have a great opportunity for you to get your hands on one of these bad boys! Audra is gracious enough to offer up a custom made tutu for one of my readers! You get to pick 2 colors with matching bow on the tutu!

Now, the rules for entry!

1. You must leave me a comment for each entry you qualify for.

2. I will not add you to the drawing if you post anonymously.

3. Open only to residents of the U.S and Canada.

And this is how you can enter! Enter today!

This giveaway ends Monday June 22nd!

1. Post a comment here on my blog, telling me what you like about the tutu's and who you would give the tutu to if you were the winner.

2. Post this blog entry on Facebook, come comment back with the link when you do.

3. Become a follower on my blog and post a comment when you do.

4. Email the link to this blog post to all your friends, BCC the email to me at gutierrezmommy01 [at] gmail [dot]com

As a added bonus to all my readers, Audra is offering FREE SHIPPING through July 1st for any orders you guys place. Just mention my blog when ordering to receive FREE SHIPPING in the U.S.A.!

Kindergarten Graduation

Well, my little girl decided it was time to "Grow up" on me. I knew the day was coming, I just was not ready for it. At least not this soon.


My daughter graduated from Kindergarten yesterday. It is so hard to believe that she went through her very first year at school in such a short amount of time it seems. She did very well, not that I am surprised by her learning, she is one smart cookie.

Not only did she graduated but she was recognized for Perfect Attendance all year long! That's right! Not one sick day!

I am one Proud Momma!

Free Root Beer Float!

On Wednesday, June 3rd 8PM-Midnight load up the kids and head down to your local Sonic! Sonic will be giving away free Root Beer Floats!

What a great way to start the summer!