Writer Mama Book Giveaway!

I received The Writer Mama as a gift a few years ago, and have been following Christina Katz online ever since. I'm currently taking her class, Publishing the Short Stuff, and am learning so much!

She asked that readers share about her giveaway, and I'm happy to do so! From her site:

For the third year in a row, The Writer Mama, Christina Katz, is giving away thirty books in thirty days. All you have to do to participate is answer the question that Christina will pose daily. One lucky winner will win each day. There is no limit to how many times you can enter. The drawing is for U.S. residents. You don’t have to be a mom, but of course, the event is created with moms in mind, so please tell all the writer mamas you know! See ya in September at http://thewritermama.wordpress.com.

So, head on over and enter her giveaways! And then come back and tell me if you win any of the books!

How Much Fits in My Frigidaire?

One of the things I worried about when I found out that I was chosen to be a Frigidaire Test Drive Mom was that the counter-depth refrigerator wouldn't hold as much as my standard refrigerator.

After a couple months of using it, I can tell you that my worries were for nothing. I can fit plenty of food into my new refrigerator, and with a family of 5 -- that's usually a lot of food!

You can see how 2 gallons of milk fit easily into the shelf on the door. I can fit our condiments and salad dressings on the door shelves. Below the milk is space for 6 cans of soda, and below that holds water bottles perfectly.

The 3 drawers are big. I keep our cold cuts and cheeses in the top drawer, and kept finding them 1/2 frozen. Finally, I looked carefully and noticed a temperature slider near the drawer (which is called the "chiller" drawer) and was able to move it from coldest to not so cold. My cold cuts no longer freeze!

Our shelves are not as neat as they could be, but I decided to keep it real and show you what my refrigerator really looks like today! There is plenty of room for all our groceries, and I haven't even used our old refrigerator since we moved it to the garage.

Frigidaire is still running the great contest for a new washer/dryer! And, don't forget about the "More Me-Time Guarantee" if you're in the market for new appliances.

Tell Me Thursday - Fall

Another season of fall ball has started! This is Colin's 5th year playing and Nate's 4th year. Colin almost didn't play this year, but changed his mind at the last possible second. I'm glad he did, as he is actually enjoying it this year because this year's coach is the best they've had! I'm also glad he decided to play because this is the last season he'll be able to play in this league -- he'll be too old next year.

My boys are getting so tall, I almost didn't recognize them on the field. You might notice their baseball pants are a little short because I bought them a size too small . . . but they fit fine in the waist!

Lydia is not interested in watching the boys play baseball. She is interested in navigating the bleachers, trying to convince me to buy junk food, and jumping down the steps. She has 2 more years before she can play t-ball.

Over at my picture blog, I created links to all the past season shots.

Did you play Wordless Wednesday yesterday? If so, don't forget to tell your story today & link to Tell Me Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday - Fall

Play along at Wordless Wednesday! (And come back tomorrow for the story thanks to Tell Me Thursday!)

Review: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Civilization of Love

Before moving to the Southwest, I wasn't really aware of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is a popular Marian image here in Arizona, so I got to know her after moving here. I love the story of St. Juan Diego and his interaction with Our Lady -- his faith which had him traveling far distances for Mass, his perseverance, and then the lovely miracle of roses to convince the Church that he was telling the truth.

When The Catholic Company had Our Lady of Guadalupe- Mother of the Civilization available through their review program, I jumped at the chance to read it.

It is an extremely thorough explanation and discussion of St. Juan Diego, the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the miracles that happened, and all the research and study that went into proving the miracles. I didn't realize that St. Juan Diego didn't become a saint until Pope John Paul II canonized him in July of 2002. I thought he had been a saint for much longer than that!

There is detailed explanations of every detail of the painting on St. Juan Diego's tilma and the significance of each part. In addition to all the information about Our Lady, it also includes information about Mexico at the time and the history of the region.

The book ends with a detailed time line, a collection of prayers, an extensive bibliography, and detailed notes.

I have told the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe many times to my children, but in a very simple form. This book filled in all the details, as well as providing excellent information about the research and study that goes into determining miracles. I found it extremely informative and very well-written. I highly recommend this book.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Our Lady of Guadalupe- Mother of the Civilization .

General Mills Table Talk

So, have I mentioned I'm going away AGAIN this weekend? It's hard to believe that after all these years of minimal travel, I am spending 3 weekends away from my kids in one month!

Every weekend away has been different, and this weekend is no exception.

I'm headed to Minneapolis to check out the Betty Crocker kitchen! I understand we'll be eating & will even have the opportunity to cook in the kitchen! I can't wait to hear their ideas about family dinners, and to have the chance to spend time with a bunch of other bloggers.

I'll bring my camera and computer, so come back Monday or Tuesday to read about my adventure. It's my first blogger event, and I can't wait!!

Do you have any questions you'd like me to ask? I have a friend whose kids are gluten-free and she is excited about the new gluten-free mixes but hopes that they will make the mixes with a variety of flours. I'll ask about that - - and anything else you can think of! Leave a comment below!

Vegas!

My sis and I had a great time in Vegas!

I turned $1 into $18 at the penny slots when we first arrived . . . but by Sunday I had lost that $18 and another $14. Which is exactly why I don't gamble! For $15, I got a few hours of entertainment, but if I was at the dollar slots and lost $150 . . . I'd be bummed!!

We ate some delicious food and literally didn't go outside from the time we arrived until we left. We stayed at the Luxor (which was very nice) and were able to visit Mandalay Bay (where we visited the Shark Reef and the Lush store) and Excalibur without going outside. We also visited the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor, which I thought was wonderfully done!

When we left on Sunday, we stopped at the Liberace Museum and Ethel M Chocolate Factory before heading back to Arizona.

It was nice spending a weekend with my sister, eating and walking and shopping, without worry about anyone but us. I did miss my family, though, and thought often how they would have enjoyed certain things we did. I had fun, and relaxed, and think that we should make a sister's vacation an annual event!

Review: Oscar Mayer Lunchables

Have I mentioned that we're a busy family? I know most families these days are busy -- with work, schoolwork, sports and everyday life.

While I wish I could prepare meals from scratch every day, throughout the day, the truth is that I can't. Oscar Mayer has re-vamped their Lunchables with some new varieties and I jumped at the chance to try them out when Mom Central asked for bloggers to review them.

They sent me a coupon for one, and I picked up 3 of the Turkey & Cheddar Sub Lunchables. These are great for a lunch when schooling and sports and work has taken over our day.

Lydia's favorite part was the applesauce. My boys both liked pouring the powdered Kool-Aid into the bottle of water and shaking. All three ate the sub sandwich (although Lydia did her usual of taking one bite of bread, and then eating the insides. This isn't any comment on their bread - that's just how she eats sandwiches.) All three also ate the Nilla Wafers.

These are great to have in the refrigerator for those days we need the fastest lunch possible -- or those days the kids are at the sitter and I need to make their lunches at the last moment in the morning. My kids don't like American cheese, so I won't try the cracker meals, but we will buy the subs again.

Check out their site for all the varieties, as well as all nutritional information.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Oscar Mayer Lunchables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

New Dole Contest

Dole's very nice PR people contacted me recently and asked me to share a new, great contest with my readers. I love the Dole fruit bowls because they're easy to pack for lunches and are a great snack anytime for me and my kids! I especially love the parfait bowls, but my kids prefer the plain fruit bowls. At 80 calories or less, they're healthy and a great way to get more fruit into our diet.

Head over to Dole Challenge and enter for the various giveaways they have running, as well as download coupons! You have 2 ways to win:

• Share how you enjoy Dole Fruit Bowls and earn a chance to win $300!
• Share the site with your friends and earn a chance to win $1,000!

New winners every week until early October, 2009!

It's Friday, Woo Hoo!

It's Friday . . . and my to-do list is a mile long . . . but I don't care!!

In a few short hours (as soon as my sister gets off work and my hubby gets home) I'm headed off to Vegas! Just me & my sis -- the kids and hubby are staying home -- and I can't wait!

It's been so long since I went off and did anything for myself, and then this month it worked out that I'm off without the kids for 3 weekends (anniversary 2 weeks ago, this weekend, and then Table Talk with General Mills in 2 weeks) I'm debating about bringing my laptop to do some work, but I think I will leave it at home so I don't have the ability to do any work.

I'm not a gambler, but I'm looking forward to meals I don't have to share, sitting in a restaurant as long as I want, and leisurely walking around without constantly counting heads.

I have a few reviews to post next week, and some fun information about another Dole contest, and an update about schooling. But, that all has to wait, because I have to log off and pack for Vegas!