Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Best Flippin' Pancakes


This is the greatest Buttermilk Pancake recipe EVER...

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups flour
3 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1tbsp granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups milk
1 eggs
3tbsp melted butter

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar..  Pour in the milk, egg and melted butter and mix until smooth

Heat a slightly oiled frying pan and brown on both sides.

Top with your favorite pancake topping.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Another Potty Time DVD Giveaway!

Want a second chance to win the Potty Time DVD by Two Little Hands?  

Then you've come to the right place!

Since this DVD giveaway was such a huge hit the first time around, why not do it again?!
Sing, sign and dance your way through potty training! Potty Time supports any potty training method by helping children:

  • Listen to their bodies
  • Stop what they are doing and go to the bathroom
  • Celebrate their successes
  • Deal with accidents in a positive way
  • Appreciate their amazing bodies


Potty Time teaches the potty routine along with signs that children of any age can use to talk about growing up, using the potty, and celebrating successes of all kinds. This playful and positive approach supports any potty training method you choose. Signs are especially useful for potty training infants and toddlers. The Potty Time DVD and Music CD help children feel good about their growing bodies, learn the potty routine, and celebrate successes of any kind!





To celebrate the new year, I thought what better way than an awesome giveaway?!  So I purchased a copy to send to one lucky Party of Three reader.
Just enter via the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was in no way compensated for this post.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Chocolate Cookies with a Delicious Twist

Ingredients:

2 cups granulated sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup cocoa powder
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/3 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Powdered sugar
Chocolate chips (optional for extra sweetness)

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar and vegetable oil.  Then add cocoa and mix until well blended.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  

In a separate bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt.  Then gradually add cocoa mixture; beating well. 

Cover and refrigerate until dough is firm enough to mold; at least 6 hours

Heat oven to 350°.  

Lightly grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.

Shape dough into 1-in round balls then roll then in powdered sugar to coat. Place about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes or until the tops are slightly crackled. Remove from oven and let stand on cookie sheet for 2 minutes then move to cooling rack.  Let cool completely and enjoy!

Tips: the chocolate chips are a great addition if you like your cookies extra sweet.  That being said this addition may be too sweet for some.


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Santa & His Reindeer

So a few days before Christmas Hubby and I took “M” to see Santa and his reindeer!  While we were there, she got to pet 4 reindeer and feed one!  It was so much fun, even in the freezing cold.  We had such a good time.  She also got to ride the trolley around town for the first time.  We also stopped by the local museum (a really old creepy house) with all original furniture, paintings, instruments, and much more.  And how much did all of this cost, you say?  Not a cent.  Everything was totally free.  I can’t wait to do it all again next year.

M's First Trolley Ride

Feeding Velvet




Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!!



Sunday, December 23, 2012

Oh, I Want One Monday! ~Giveaway Linky~ {12/24}


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Happy Birthday to me!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Light Therapy-Does it work? Nature Bright Review & Discount Code


You know those commercials that start out asking if you suffer from certain symptoms to try and sell you a product?  

Well…
Are you constantly feeling irritable?  Do you find yourself fatigued? Do you have trouble concentrating?  If so you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Okay, I couldn’t help myself.  But in all seriousness, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing.  It's a kind of depression that usually occurs during the winter months however, the benefits of light therapy can show all year long. 
With today's busy schedules and the hustle of everyday life, many of us lack the proper amount of natural sunlight needed to stay healthy.  This can cause a hormonal imbalance and significantly effect your mood.   Studies have also shown that insufficient exposure to sunlight is associated with low levels of melatonin and serotonin, causing depression, weight gain, and sleep disturbance.  And one of the best ways to manage SAD at home is light therapy.  Light therapy not only helps regulate your internal clock but it also gives you more energy.

Winter has arrived and the days have grown shorter.  Less sunlight equals a not so happy Mama.  So I was so excited to have the opportunity to review Nature Bright’s Square One Wake-Up Light.  This light is an alarm clock with a preset 15-minute timer to ensure delivery of the recommended amount of light for each session.   So, in as little as 15 minutes, the bright LED light gives you the boost you need to start your day feeling totally refreshed.
The best thing about the Square One is that it is portable, has a built-in rechargeable battery and a universal adapter!  It also features a basic display with buttons that allow you to adjust the light intensity, making it easy to customize the brightness level to fit your needs.  So no worries if you are a bit sensitive to light.   
“Nature Bright's Sky Effect technology mimics the natural light you get from a bright blue sky on a sunny day, helping to subtly reset your internal cycles by reducing the production of daytime melatonin.” 
-Nature Bright

The Square One’s compact and portable design is perfect for any location and is great for travel.  It even comes with an adjustable foot stand so you can easily change the direction of the light.  

Nature bright delivers brilliant light therapy solutions at affordable prices.  They carry multiple light therapy products, each with its own unique natural solution.  They even have industrial lighting for businesses that want to motivate their workers! 

So, does light therapy work?
After using the light my mood has slightly improved and I have more energy.  I feel more physically alert and less sluggish throughout the day.  I also notice that my appetite has changed.  I have been eating a lot less junk.  I mean I don’t even really crave it anymore.  Light therapy is amazing! It’s medicine-free and the perfect solution for those pregnancy mood swings and fatigue.  I think it might even benefit women suffering from mild postpartum depression (but you should still check with your midwife/doctor).
To learn more about the benefits of light therapy you can visit Nature Brights via Facebook, Twitter, or their webpage.

Buy It
You can purchase the Square One Wake-Up Light from the Nature Bright webpage for $149.99.  For a limited time you can use the coupon code SQFALL1112 to receive $50 off your Square One purchase!



Monday, December 17, 2012

We Have A Winner...



Congratulations Sheila W..!  

Thank you to all who entered.
If you did not win this time, don't worry there are more great giveaways coming soon!

In the mean time feel free to check out my current Group Giveaways!


Trying To Return To Normal

I am slowly getting back in the swing of things.  Saying good-bye to my dad was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I still can't believe that he is gone.  It's just so surreal.  My sadness comes and goes but I do not think that it has fully sunk in yet.  Everything is still winding down, all of the out of town guests have left, and we are trying to get into a new routine.  Silly things make me cry; shows & music my Dad used to enjoy, Dairy Queen, random things at the grocery store, etc.  Nothing/No one will ever replace my Dad but hopefully the hurt will go away.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Oh, I Want One Monday! ~Giveaway Linky~ {12/17}


Welcome to "Oh, I Want One Monday!" weekly giveaway Linky. 
Feel free to list your family friendly giveaways. 
Please link directly to your giveaway and be sure to include the giveaways end date! 


Comments are always nice , but are not required.

1.Shimmer Glitter Tattoos 12/ 23 24.Scarlet Skinny Jeans w/ Swarovski Crystals iPad Case 12/30 47.$50 Amazon Gift Card - 12/ 21

2.Sena Messenger Bag $150 12/ 23 25.Holiday Blu- ray Collection 12/ 18 48.Eco Intelligence Iron (ARV $150) - 12/ 23
3.Energizer Toy Cash 12/ 20 26.Merci European Chocolates 12/ 24 49.Apple iPad 3 32 GB with Wi-Fi (12/ 27, WW)
4.Prize Pack of Girls Toys from MGA 12/ 21
27.Lord of the Rings Lego Set (ARV $130) - 12/ 17 50.$ 250 Cash or (5) $50 Cash Prizes (12/ 28, WW) 
5.Boba Carrier 3G & Boba Wrap 12/ 31 28.$30 Gift Card to Belly Charms (12/ 17, US/ CAN)
51.$ 110 in Eco- Friendly Beauty Products - 12/ 31 
6.Last Minute Gifts from Warner Bros. 12/ 19 29.The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show DVD - 12/ 17
52.$25 Amazon Gift Card - 12/ 25 
7.Mega Bloks Barbie Luxury Mansion 12/ 27
30.$50 Credit to California Wine Club - 12/ 17 53.i Pad 3 - 32 GB Wifi (12/ 27, WW) 
8.2 $25 Kids Foot Locker Gift Cards 12/ 19 31.Altego Laptop Messenger Bag (2 winners!) - 12/ 17 54.a Year Supply of Honest Kids Organic Juice Drinks - 12/ 28
9.Sibu Total Beauty Gift Set 12/ 18
32.$50 Sam's Club Gift Card - 12/ 17 55.$25 Disney Gift Card - 12/ 30 
10.$50 Visa Gift Card - 12/ 20 33.Ryobi String Trimmer (Weed Whacker) - 12/ 17 56.A Year of Beauty Products (ARV $1500) - 12/ 31

11.Unilever Baking Set 12/ 30 34.Elizabeth Arden Skin Serum ($50, 4 win!) 12/ 19

57.$50 Fandango Gift Card for Movie Tickets - 12/ 31 
12.One Year Supply of Trident Gum 12/ 17

35.Night of the Living Dead Ltd. Ed. Blu Ray - 12/ 21 58.Aftelier Perfume Gift Set (ARV $140) - 12/ 31 
13.Nikon Coolpix Camera & Pampes Prize Pack 12/ 17

36.Holiday Gummy Bears Candy - 12/ 26 59.$ 100 Visa Gift Card - 2/04 
14.Calphalon Pan & Williams- Sonoma Veggie Chopper 12/ 19

37.Rubbermaid 40 pc Food Storage Set - 12/ 21

60.Baby Bead Treasures $50 GC - 12/ 20 
15.$50 Williams- Sonoma G.C. 12/ 17

38.Conair Waterfall Footbath (12/ 18, US/ CAN) 61.Mixed Bag Designs $50 GC (2) - 12/ 26
16.Kiddidoo Kid's Rain Wear Set 12/ 24 39.$ 100 Amazon Gift Card - 12/ 18 62.Plow & Hearth $50 GC - 12/ 26

17.Lenox Gilded Tapestry 5-Piece Dinnerware Setting 12/ 21

40.Red Wireless Headphones (ARV $79) - 12/ 18 63.Novica $75 GC - International (12/ 29) 
18.$50 Visa G.C. 12/ 20 41.Daisy BB Gun Prize Pack - 12/ 18 64.$ 100 Gift Card mapsales. com 12/ 19

19.Wholly Guacamole/ Cabot Cheese Prize Pack 12/ 22
42.$ 100 Amazon Gift Card (12/ 24, WW) 65.Zak! Great Mug Giveaway! 12/ 21 
20.Canon Rebel DSLR Camera (ARV $599)- 12/27 WW

43.Philips Norelco Powertouch Electric Razor - 12/ 19

66.Kindle Fire and 4 other Kindles (5 winners!) 12/ 25
21.KRE-O TRANSFORMERS Battle for Energon Set 12/ 23

44.Mr. Coffee Cafe Latte Machine (ARV $99) 12/ 19

67.LIFTLAB Anti- Aging Skincare (ARV $530) 12/ 27

22.Lalaloopsy Harmony B. Sharp Doll 12/ 28

45.$ 1000 in Gifts for Baby and Mommy - 12/ 21

68.i Pod Touch 5th Gen. 32GB (value: $300) 12/ 19

23.$20 Olive Garden G.C. 12/ 23 46.DEWALT Orbital Sander (ARV $58) - 12/ 21 69.You're next!