Hickory Farms and Holiday Traditions

I have almost always love the holidays, not for the hustle and bustle, but for the memories they create.  We have a huge family on  my Mom’s side and I can remember the huge gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I also cannot forget the food that occupied the tables in every corner of my Grandmother’s home.  We are all well fed by the time we left her house.

She always had a spot set up with cheese and crackers and sausage from Hickory Farms and in a tiny dish off to the side those strawberry hard candies that often come in a gift basket from them.  I loved the selection of  summer sausage, and cheeses, and I would always set up a plate as a kid, and stuff a few of the strawberry candies in my pockets.  That wasn’t the last I saw of my favorites because my mom would almost always bring home a Hickory Farms gift basket from the bank where she worked.

Fast forward to today, I still love to stop by the Hickory Farms displays in my local stores and occasionally pick up some of their summer sausage and cheese and set them out for the boys and the family to snack on. Recently, we were sent a wonderful gift basket for our family to try from Hickory Farms in this totally awesome tool bag that will come in handy for my husband to use around the house.  It is a great way to sort of give two gifts at once.  This gift basket came loaded with gouda cheese, mini sausages, crackers, mustard and many other wonderful signature items that Hickory Farms has to offer.  I loved the gouda cheese with the sausage and the boys gobbled it up.  The best way to serve the sausage is cold in my opinion, even though you don’t have too.  Once the packages is open in this house, you won’t have any leftovers.  I cannot think of a better way to add to holiday entertainment or making a classic statement in gift giving.

We loved all of the wonderful things Hickory Farms sent us, and the only thing missing this time around was the strawberry hard candy.  Hickory Farms has been around for as long as I can remember and have always offered a wonderful selection for gifts. It is a perfect gift to give for someone special or when you cannot think of something specific,  Hickory Farms makes gift giving easy.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a Hickory Farms gift basket to facilitate my review.”

Ultimate Party Meatballs A Crowd Pleaser For Any Occasion

It is that time of the year when holiday festivities are about to be in full swing.  Every year my husband and I are invited to at lease several events that involve bringing a favorite appetizer or dish.  If you are a busy mommy like me, my ambitions are usually greater than my energy level in creating some new found masterpiece to bring to a gathering.

Over the weekend we were invited to a football party and it was a “bring a favorite dish” type party, so I found myself thinking about what I should bring. I quickly remembered that I had a new recipe to try, and I had all the ingredients to give it a test.  Heinz and Ocean Spray have teamed up to create a really easy yet great tasting addition to any holiday gathering.  Their Ultimate Party Meatballs recipe takes three ingredients and they taste unbelievable.  If I had known how easy this was all along, I would have been coined the meatball lady at all these parties!

I chose to do the crockpot method of preparation.  All you do is throw in a bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce and Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce, and two sof frozen meatballs and put your crockpot on high for four hours and you are good go.   They smell totally awesome and they taste even better.  I couldn’t stop stealing meatballs from the crockpot,  at least I made a double recipe. They have the perfect combination of salty and sweet tangy zip that make you want to keep coming back.  I came home with just a few lone meatballs left.

Here is the official recipe

If you like a little bit of a kick to your meatballs you can add a dash of tobasco to them to give them a little kick. I refrained from adding it this time because some people might not like the spicy. They were so yummy that I took the last of the meatballs and made a sub out them for my late night snack.

Whether you are heading out to a party this holiday season or if you are looking for something easy to make for an appetizer. Ultimate Party Meatballs by Heinz and Ocean Spray are a perfect addition!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Heinz and Ocean Spray and received the ingredients necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Maukilo Great Toys To Make It A Merry Holiday *review and giveaway*

It is that time of the year again where parents are in a scramble to find that perfect toy for their children. The holidays are a wonderful time of the year, but along with all the merriment of it all, there is also a lot of stress. This year with many parents being budget conscious, you tend to want to find some of the hottest toys for 2009 but also toys, that your children will certainly be interested in for longer than five minutes.

Each year I try and sit down and make a list of things that the boys seem interested in and start looking for things that sort of combine that interest with things that are going to last when they play. I ma a huge fan of wooden toys, and toys that are more educational. I still buy the boys some of the mass marketed toys but, I also like to get things that are a little more meaningful or have what I call higher quality play value.

One of my favorite places to visit for shopping is Maukilo. They are a great site that is owned by HABA, and if you know anything about HABA toys you will know that they make some of the greatest wooden toys. I have toys made by HABA that are still in perfect condition and can easily be passed on to another child and I love all of their brightly colored toys.

We were recently given the opportunity to pick one of the many wonderful toys that Maukilo has to offer. Amongst the great collection of HABA toys , they offer so many other choices. We were sent Rody the jumping horse and I could barely get the thing out of the box and inflated because the boys were literally bouncing with excitement to get on this thing. Rody is an inflated ride on horse which you can inflate more as your child grows. Balance and coordination are tested as kids enjoy hopping on their Rody. Made of latex-free vinyl, in Italy.

My twin 3 yr olds have boundless energy, and I can tell you that I am a huge fan of Rody. They hopped all over the house in this thing and it is perfect for expending all that pent up energy. I am thinking this is going to be excellent for the winter months when they are stuck inside! When I first looked at this inflatable horse, I couldn’t imagine how much fun they would have, but they had a blast on it, and now I am thinking I will have to get them another one so they don’t fight! Rody is a perfect gift to have under the tree and Maukilo is a great place to make that holiday magic happen.

**Rody the horse was provided to me free for review by Maukilo.com  the opinions expressed here are that of my own**

As part of the gift giving season, and to introduce you to a wonderful site. DoubleBugs and Maukilo would like to give readers the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Maukilo.com to do a little holiday shopping for your child and light up their faces on Christmas morning.

This Contest Is Closed!

To Enter Here’s What You Gotta Do!

Visit Maukilo.com and tell me what you would like to buy with your $50 certificate and who you would like to give the toy to.

Additional Entries

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Contest Starts November 22, 2009 and Ends December 15, 2009

GOOD LUCK!!!!

US Residents Only

Sports Authority Is Teaming Up With Nintendo To Get Moms In Shape! *giveaway*

We are a huge Wii family here and love the opportunity to try out anything new.  With the Wii Fit board it has made it possible to have fun while getting in shape.  When  you are on a Wii Fit board you sort of forget that you are doing any work at all and that is my type of workout!

I was naturally excited to find out  that Sports Authority is teaming up with Nintendo to create a new way to experience fitness gaming.  Sports Authority will be selling Wii gaming consoles, Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus, as well as various accessories and games for the Wii, in its stores.And to help you get to know the Wii better, Sports Authority will create a “We know fit. We know fun.” experience at 102 of their stores. Stores will feature a dedicated area with a demo unit and knowledgeable trainers to help customers try the Wii Fit Plus before they buy! This is a great way to trade those boring workouts of the same thing  for something that is fun for everyone.

To kick off this great new initiative and campaign to get fit the Sports Authority is launching this experience on Thursday, Nov. 19 at its store in Torrance, Calif. (located at 3610 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA) starting at 9:30 a.m. If you are in the California area, the event will feature Jillian Michaels from the *Biggest Loser*, and the World’s largest Wii Fit Demonstration with 102 people and tips from Jillian Michaels.  They are also giving away some really awesome prizes, Wii Fit boards included, so you won’t want to miss it!

I can’t think of a better way to get thinking about those dreaded New Years resolutions of getting in shape.  Rather than dreading it, why not make it fun!   You can find out more by visiting the Wii Sports Authority page.

As an incentive to get your body moving and in shape, DoubleBugs,  SportsAuthority and Nintendo, want to give readers a chance to win the Jillian Michaels’ new fitness game for the Wii and a Wii Fit Plus board!

Here’s  What You Gotta Do!

Visit Sports Authority and tell me what you would like to have to go along with your Wii Fit Plus Board and why you want to have a Wii Fit Board and come back here and leave me a comment

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Good Luck!!

Constest starts November 19, 2009 and ends December 12, 2009

Logitech Pro 9000 Webcam *review and giveaway*

I have never been fond of using a webcam and have had only a very few of them in the past that I attempted to use.  This day and age it seems to be the norm to have a webcam when you purchase your computer.  I know my laptop came with one built right in.  Putting aside the fact that I hate how I look on camera, it really is a useful thing for us to have. We have a lot of family that likes to keep up to date with the boys and it is really difficult since they all live in another state or country for that matter.  With the internet and digital age it has made it so much easier to share photos and video with friends and family that may be far away.  We love to use programs like Skype or various messaging software, and almost all have video sharing capability. We were given the opportunity to try one of Logitech’s latest and greatest in their wide range of webcams that they offer.  The Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 arrived and I was eager to see how easy this cam would be to set up for the average joe schmo like me who knows  little about technical gadgets such as webcams.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a new gizmo like the rest of the world, but I also believe that being “user friendly” is a huge plus.  If I cannot plug it in and go, then I am likely to throw it out the window. The webcam came with Logitech’s Video calling software which is pretty nifty but as a user of multiple programs that support video, I actually prefer to use my existing programs.  The image quality on this particular webcam is probably one of the best I have seen in with a webcam.  I typically use  my webcam in a fairly dark room and I was amazed at how well the Pro 9000 did under low light circumstance.  Setting the cam on top of my laptop monitor was a snap and the adjustable rubber gripped mount works perfectly to keep the cam in place.

Logitech Pro 9000 Features

Carl Zeiss® optics

You’ll enjoy razor-sharp images from a lens designed with the help of one of the pioneers in the industry

Premium autofocus

The innovative design keeps your images stay razor sharp, even in close-ups (up to 10 cm from the camera lens).

2-megapixel sensor

Delivers fluid, true-to-life video and lets you take snapshots at up to 8-megapixels (software enhanced).

RightLight™ 2 technology

Even if you make a video call in dim or poorly backlit settings, the camera will Intelligently adjust to produce the best possible image.

Logitech® Video Effects™

Your video calls get an extra dose of fun with Video Effects. It’s easy to spice things up with neon splashes, fish-eye distortions, and more.

Includes Logitech® Vid™

Technical Specifications

Carl Zeiss® optics with autofocus Native 2-MP HD sensor High-definition video (up to 1600 X 1200*) 720p widescreen mode with recommended system Up to 8-megapixel photos (enhanced from native 2 MP sensor) Microphone with Logitech® RightSound™ technology Up to 30-frames-per-second video Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified Logitech® webcam software (including Logitech® Video Effects™: fun filters, avatars, video masks, and face accessories)

The software that comes with the Pro 9000 webcam is actually a whole lot of fun.  It comes with some pretty funny facial effects that you can play around with.  I did discover that you can also get many more video effects offered at Logitech’s site all you have to do is select get more effects.  This had me and the boys thoroughly amused for nearly and hour and I was even able to try them out with my messaging software.

The best thing about the Logitech Pro 9000 is its ability to capture video in high definition without totally frogging down my computer.   The quality of the video is superb and its image capture is just as good.  This picture you see here was captured in a room with only light from the tv and one overhead can light in my kitchen so I would say, not too bad.  Although the only thing I have to compare with is my very old webcam but I am still just as impressed.

The camera is equipped with autofocus which worked surprisingly well.  The built in microphone made me sound a little far away, but other than that, this camera is definitely a keeper and well worth the $99 investment.  If you are looking for a perfect holiday gift for family members who live on the other side of the planet this is a great idea.  It is a good webcam that works right out of the box and is just as fun to use, as it is to give.

*The Logitech Pro 9000 was provided to me for free to  review by Logitech.  The opinions about this webcam are that of my own**

Would you like to win  a Logitech Pro 9000 Quickcam???

Heres what you gotta do

Visit Logitech’s site and tell me what other great product you like and why you would like to win this webcam and come back here and leave me a comment

For Additional Entries

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Contest Starts November 2, 2009 and Ends December 2, 2009

Good Luck!!!

Infant Nutrition Center Keys To Your Baby’s Development

Becoming a new parent is one of the most exciting and overwhelming times in your life.  I can remember finding out that I was having twins, and as much as I was excited, the amount of information you have to process when having a new baby or babies can sometimes be a daunting task.

Infant nutrition is key to your baby’s development. One of my prime concerns with the boys was making sure that received what they needed in terms of their nutrition.  I had almost certainly known that I wanted to breastfeed but there are so many other things that come along with that one decision.  I can remember looking at what I needed to help maintain a healthy milk supply while breastfeeding, what the boys needed in terms of additional nutrition if they weren’t getting what they needed from me.  For instance, the doctor had them taking vitamin supplements to get adequate Vitamin D, and I paid close attention to formula when I had to supplement.  Then, it is a whole new ballgame when you introduce them to solids.  There are so many things just outside of caring for children and yourself, that having a resource to go to can offer a new mother that extra support during and overwhelming time.

InfantNutritionCenter.com is a site developed by Mead Johnson that takes an awesome and incredible 3D journey through infant nutrition.  The site lets you explore and learn current research findings through video, pictures, and graphics, in depth questions like why infant eyesight depends on getting enough DHA and what key nutrients contribute to the healthy growth of your child’s brain.  There is a wealth of information, and I love that it offers more than just reading the information.  I found myself engrossed looking at the nutrients infants need and how they are broken down and how their bodies break these down and how they are important in development.  I was amazed to learn that infants grow so rapidly that their bodies must take in the equivalent of 9000 calories a day!  There is so much more in the way of information included in the interactive libraries and I think we forget just how fine tuned the human body is.

InfantNutritionCenter.com is a really great site with wonderful resources for moms.  I love the graphics and there is so much there to learn if you are an expecting mother or if you already have children.  There is always room to learn something new!

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mead Johnson. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.**

My Life Find Who You Are Searching For

When I think back to my school aged years, there were a handful of people that I remember, but over the years you tend to lose touch or you just find yourself wondering where they are and what they are up to. There are a few people along the way, that made a difference in my life and they are the ones that I remember the most.

I had one particular teacher that I loved. She was my English teacher, Mrs. D and I always loved the hour I got to spend in her class each day. Let’s face it that, English isn’t the greatest subject, but I loved to write and I loved the enthusiasm she gave me in wanting to learn. She gave me the self confidence that kids need in those awkward teenage years. I kept in contact with her for many years after my 8th grade year but somehow, life got in the way and we lost touch. I was sorting through some old writings that I did and began wondering if somehow I could get back in touch. There are several ways to people search but without knowing where the person might be the internet is always useful!

I visited MyLife and was able to do a search for Mrs. D and found several results, including the state in which she now lives in. It gave me a really good place to start and I am hopeful that I can get in contact with my old English teacher and maybe have a lunch together and catch up on old times. I love being able to have new resources outside of the phone book, because that has its limits. If you are looking for someone that you have lost touch with, My Life is at least a really good place for you to start! I hope you find what you are looking for.

Rite Rug Finished Our Dream Room Makeover!

As you know, I have been posting periodic updates on the room renovation we were doing in our basement.  We decided that we need the extra space for the boys to play in and for us to be able to be as a family without cluttering the upstairs with toys.  I knew that I wanted a good size room and carpeting, but was unsure about how everything would come together.

My Dad came and built the basic framework and put up the sheets of drywall,hung the doors, and my husband and I finished the rest.  This included taping and mudding the drywall (never doing this again), doing all the painting, and trim work.  Some of the finishing touches included our flooring and we decided that carpet would be the best option.  I have never gone through the actual process of going to a carpet store and picking out something for the house, so the experience was something new for me.

The folks over at RiteRug offered me the opportunity to come to one of their local stores and pick out something for our newly built room.  I walked in the door and was warmly greeted and we got right to work.  When you look around the store initially you become somewhat overwhelmed.  I have never seen so many choices for flooring in my life!  I know that RiteRug specializes in flooring but I expected a much smaller scale.  I chose something from their  popular California Berber line.  This type of carpet is basically sort of a low pile shag, but is great for your basement and high traffic areas.  My favorite part about the color and style we chose, is that it hides the dirt.  I am not saying I keep a dirty house, but with two three year olds it is nice getting a carpet that will hide the little things.  This makes it practical for a Mom like me, yet it is nice enough that is warms up the space.

The process from start fo finish was first class.  Ted, our sales guy, came over and measured our room, and when we were ready to put the carpet in, I gave him a call and within the week we had brand new carpet installed!  RiteRug even offers next day installation.  Jamie and Larry showed up to install the carpet on the following Friday, and of course I was completely excited that they were here and excited that I would be looking at something other than the gray steps and ugly concrete floor.

The whole process of installing carpet was interesting to watch.  There was lots of hammering but in just 2 short hours, our room was beautiful!  The installation crew (Jamie and Larry) from RiteRug did a stellar job on the install and answered all of our questions.  I cannot honestly say enough about how much I love the space now, and how happy we are with our new carpet from RiteRug.  If I had it to do again, RiteRug would be the first place that I would go to.  Their level of professionalism and customer service was more than I could have asked for and the product is living up to my expectations.  We are thrilled with the new look and thank Rite Rite for making this a very easy and hassle free experience.  We now have a wonderful space for our family to enjoy.

The Room Before We Started!

And Some Afters (We Love The New Carpet!)

RiteRug offers much more than carpeting as a way to spruce up your living space.  You can check out their featured sales on things like Hardwood Deep Cleaning, and some of their current sales on carpeting.

**RiteRug provided me with a portion of my overall square footage of carpet and installation free to me for review, the opinions expressed in this review are that of my own**

Venettini Shoes Get Your Littlest Someone In Fashion For Fall *review*

Fall is a time when the leaves are changing and the weather is getting colder.  Along with the weather changing so is your child’s wardrobe.  Children’s shoes are always at the top of the list of things to buy because those Summer sandals have been worn till my kids toes are hanging out and we all know how fast their feet grow.

I am always in search of some of the better shoes for the boys to wear because, not only do I have two of them to buy for, I want shoes that are going to last them through till the next season.  It was a little over a year ago when I ran across Venettini Shoes for kids and fell in love with them.  They have some of the cutest and classiest styles for the boys and these shoes  will last and deal with all the wear and tear that comes with how children play.  When the boys grow out of their Venettini shoes, they are in such great shape that they can easily be passed on to your next child.

About Venettini

For almost 20 years, Venettini has been designing and manufacturing luxury children’s footwear with a large emphasis on fashion and style. Fashion, fit, and comfort drive Venettini’s designs, and they will continue to make your child’s feet look and feel good.

Venettini doesn’t just have great shoes for boys but they have a wide selection for both boys and girls.  I love all their classic and trendy styles to dress up any wardrobe.  I also know its a good shoe because my kids tell me.  There have been times when I get a shoe that looks comfortable and one of my boys will complain about something and tell me that their shoe hurts.  I have never had them complain once about Venettini shoes.  The only thing I don’t like is having to put them away when they grow out them.

This year’s Fall collection of Venettini shoes offers some really great styles that are sure to tickle your fancy and make your little one’s feet happy.  You can find Venettini Shoes at zappos.com and endless.com.  Step into fashion with Venettini Shoes.  You wont be disappointed!

Smuckers Uncrustables *Review*

I can remember when I was a kid and one of my most favorite meals was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and chicken noodle soup.  I know this may sound a little quirky but I loved to actually dip my sandwich in the soup and I still do it to this day.  I was also the kid that always peeled of the crust on my sandwiches and both of my boys are the same way.

We are huge fans of Smucker’s Uncrustables, and when we were given the opportunity to try their new whole wheat sandwiches, I was happy to try this already great product but with the healthier choice of wheat bread.  This makes buying this classic even more appealing as a mom and the boys loved them and didn’t even notice the difference.  I love Uncrustables because you just take them out of the freezer and let them thaw for about twenty to thirty minutes and they are ready to eat.  They are so yummy, they have no crusts, and the bread that they use is so soft, just like it was freshly baked.  I find myself sneaking a few for myself and I love them with my favorite chicken noodle soup.   They are perfect for lunches, and even as an afternoon snack.

Each sandwich is low in sugar, about 10g for the strawberry and peanut butter on whole wheat, and  you would never know it because taste is definitely lacking in these perfectly round sandwiches.  They are perfect when you are on the go and you want the kids to get that little extra bit of protein and you want something you know they will eat.  I always keep a few of them on hand for trips to the park or when I know we are going to be out and about.  Smucker’s Uncrustables make a perfect snack for the kids and for big kids too!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Smucker’s Uncrustables 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.”

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