Survey Results - GlowDay.com
Great Christmas Gift Idea for Kids Who Loves to Cook
My six year old took up a love for cooking after seeing Ratatouille. She has custom aprons that I made her from Zazzle but I haven't bought her anything like this. I'm really considering this because it's so cute.
Even though it's $63.95 at http://www.cooking.com/, I think it's too adorable to pass up and it is made of up all recycled or earth friendly material. The set includes:
This custom pizza kit has:
- Large Silicone Mixing Spatula
- Silicone Pastry Brush
- Large Poly Spoon
- Whisk
- Nylon Cookie Turner
- Nonstick Rolling Pin
- Kitchen Timer
- 6-pc. Measuring Spoon Set: 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 tbsp, 1 tbsp
- 6-pc. Measuring Cup Set: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, 1 cup
- 3-qt. Mixing Bowl with Lid
- Bear Cookie Cutter
- Flower Cookie Cutter
- Butterfly Cookie Cutter
- Adjustable Child Chef's Apron
- Child Chef's Hat
- 2 Oven Mitts
This custom pizza kit has:
- Large Silicone Mixing Spatula
- Silicone Pastry Brush
- Nylon Pizza Cutter
- Nylon Pizza Server
- Nonstick Rolling Pin
- Large Nylon Plastic Knife
- Tomato Cutting Board
- Set of 4 Party Hats and Aprons
U.S. Forces Assist Iraqi Businesswomen
As I read through the DefenseLink site, this story caught my eye primarily because it's a rarity that anything good comes out in the mainstream media on our Armed Forces and Iraq. Contrary to what one might believe, there are hundreds if not thousands of more stories such as this. We have and are continuing to do good both in Iraq and Afghanistan in spite of an obvious neglect of sharing these news stories.
By Navy Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq, Nov. 19, 2009 – Women in Iraq have struggled for centuries to carve out a life of their own. Even with the advent of democracy, that struggle continues, and without attention and assistance, there is no telling how prolonged it may be.
Army Capt. Ann Demapan takes a few photos of the rugs at a factory managed and staffed entirely by Iraqi women near Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gavriel Bar Tzur
With that in mind, Task Force Pathfinder members of the 1st Armored Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team visited a rug factory managed and staffed entirely by women in Gharraf, a town north of Nasiriyah in Iraq’s Dhi Qar province. The factory employs more than 100 women, all experts in the art of weaving fine rugs.
The women proudly displayed their hand-woven rugs, some of which take more than three months of daily weaving to complete. In addition to offering the rugs in local markets, the women will sell their rugs to coalition forces here.
Army Spc. Reya Russell, a civil affairs soldier from Buffalo, N.Y., described the interaction with the women as “an eye-opening experience.”
“I experienced first-hand how these women are striving to be more self-sufficient in their society, despite so much hardship,” she said. Many of her comrades on the visit shared her sentiments and were impressed by the women.
“The women took such great pride in their work,” said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Alde of Jacksonville, N.C.
The factory has been in business since 1994, but only recently restarted operations after being disrupted by the war. The improving security situation and renewed interest in their rugs has prompted the ladies to return to their work.
As the Army’s first unit to perform the “advise and assist” mission in Iraq, the brigade’s mission is providing military support to building civil capacity in three southern provinces. Women’s initiatives – a vital part of that civil capacity – are an essential ingredient for promoting stability in Iraq.
Key to this mission is the cooperation among the provincial government, the State Department-led provincial reconstruction teams and the soldiers on the ground with Task Force Pathfinder.
Built around the core of 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, Pathfinder incorporates civilian experts, professional engineers and civil affairs units as it works hand in hand with the provincial reconstruction teams to develop projects and training programs that help Iraqis address a wide range of concerns.
(Navy Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio serves with the Task Force Pathfinder public affairs office.)
Other Memorable Pictures:
By Navy Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq, Nov. 19, 2009 – Women in Iraq have struggled for centuries to carve out a life of their own. Even with the advent of democracy, that struggle continues, and without attention and assistance, there is no telling how prolonged it may be.
Army Capt. Ann Demapan takes a few photos of the rugs at a factory managed and staffed entirely by Iraqi women near Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gavriel Bar Tzur
With that in mind, Task Force Pathfinder members of the 1st Armored Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team visited a rug factory managed and staffed entirely by women in Gharraf, a town north of Nasiriyah in Iraq’s Dhi Qar province. The factory employs more than 100 women, all experts in the art of weaving fine rugs.
The women proudly displayed their hand-woven rugs, some of which take more than three months of daily weaving to complete. In addition to offering the rugs in local markets, the women will sell their rugs to coalition forces here.
Army Spc. Reya Russell, a civil affairs soldier from Buffalo, N.Y., described the interaction with the women as “an eye-opening experience.”
“I experienced first-hand how these women are striving to be more self-sufficient in their society, despite so much hardship,” she said. Many of her comrades on the visit shared her sentiments and were impressed by the women.
“The women took such great pride in their work,” said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Alde of Jacksonville, N.C.
The factory has been in business since 1994, but only recently restarted operations after being disrupted by the war. The improving security situation and renewed interest in their rugs has prompted the ladies to return to their work.
As the Army’s first unit to perform the “advise and assist” mission in Iraq, the brigade’s mission is providing military support to building civil capacity in three southern provinces. Women’s initiatives – a vital part of that civil capacity – are an essential ingredient for promoting stability in Iraq.
Key to this mission is the cooperation among the provincial government, the State Department-led provincial reconstruction teams and the soldiers on the ground with Task Force Pathfinder.
Built around the core of 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, Pathfinder incorporates civilian experts, professional engineers and civil affairs units as it works hand in hand with the provincial reconstruction teams to develop projects and training programs that help Iraqis address a wide range of concerns.
(Navy Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio serves with the Task Force Pathfinder public affairs office.)
Other Memorable Pictures:
Respite Child Care Expands to All 50 States for Parents with Deployed Reservist/Guards Spouse
Great news for those with a deployed spouse or a soon to be deployed spouse:
Respite Child Care Expands to All 50 States By Samantha L. Quigley
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2009 – It’s a few hours a month, but the break the Armed Services YMCA Respite Child Care program provides parents with a deployed spouse always is welcome. And since the program’s Oct. 1 nationwide expansion, many more parents will benefit.
The Armed Services YMCA, as part of a Defense Department contract, provides health and wellness opportunities, including the Respite Child Care program, for reserve-component servicemembers and their families across the country through their local YMCAs.
This means deploying Guardsmen and reservists and their families are eligible for a full YMCA membership for three months before deployment, the 12 months of deployment, and three months after, said Mike Landers, deputy national director of the Armed Services YMCA.
"This entire health and wellness contract was designed for them because they don’t have the infrastructure that the active-duty families that live near major military installations have,” Landers said. “So the YMCAs, the Pentagon thought, would be a great place for them to be able to connect with other Guard and reserve families who have their same circumstance.”
The Respite Child Care program, part of that contract, provides up to 16 hours of child care for families of deployed Guard and reserve personnel. It’s meant to be a “short break” for the parent or guardian responsible the child’s care, Landers said, and not a substitute for full-time or daily care.
“The respite care was designed to be an opportunity for the mom, whose husband is deployed, or the [dad] whose wife is deployed, to be able to drop their kids off to just have a little peace and quiet, to go to the commissary, to go shopping, to do whatever they need to do,” Landers said.
During the first year, however, only the families in 10 pilot states were able to take advantage of the program, which must be offered through state licensed and certified programs and is free to parents. More than 220 children were served. Since Oct. 1, when the program expanded to all 50 states, another 200 children have taken advantage of the program.
“We saw a pretty significant uptick in the demand during the month of October,” he said. “There are hundreds and hundreds of YMCAs that are now signed up to do this. I think we’ll see a big uptick for the remainder of the year.”
Armed Services YMCA officials said they would like to see those using the program establish a monthly routine. This, they explained, makes it easier for the participating YMCAs, since most don’t have much excess capacity in their child care programs.
Respite Child Care Expands to All 50 States By Samantha L. Quigley
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2009 – It’s a few hours a month, but the break the Armed Services YMCA Respite Child Care program provides parents with a deployed spouse always is welcome. And since the program’s Oct. 1 nationwide expansion, many more parents will benefit.
The Armed Services YMCA, as part of a Defense Department contract, provides health and wellness opportunities, including the Respite Child Care program, for reserve-component servicemembers and their families across the country through their local YMCAs.
This means deploying Guardsmen and reservists and their families are eligible for a full YMCA membership for three months before deployment, the 12 months of deployment, and three months after, said Mike Landers, deputy national director of the Armed Services YMCA.
"This entire health and wellness contract was designed for them because they don’t have the infrastructure that the active-duty families that live near major military installations have,” Landers said. “So the YMCAs, the Pentagon thought, would be a great place for them to be able to connect with other Guard and reserve families who have their same circumstance.”
The Respite Child Care program, part of that contract, provides up to 16 hours of child care for families of deployed Guard and reserve personnel. It’s meant to be a “short break” for the parent or guardian responsible the child’s care, Landers said, and not a substitute for full-time or daily care.
“The respite care was designed to be an opportunity for the mom, whose husband is deployed, or the [dad] whose wife is deployed, to be able to drop their kids off to just have a little peace and quiet, to go to the commissary, to go shopping, to do whatever they need to do,” Landers said.
During the first year, however, only the families in 10 pilot states were able to take advantage of the program, which must be offered through state licensed and certified programs and is free to parents. More than 220 children were served. Since Oct. 1, when the program expanded to all 50 states, another 200 children have taken advantage of the program.
“We saw a pretty significant uptick in the demand during the month of October,” he said. “There are hundreds and hundreds of YMCAs that are now signed up to do this. I think we’ll see a big uptick for the remainder of the year.”
Armed Services YMCA officials said they would like to see those using the program establish a monthly routine. This, they explained, makes it easier for the participating YMCAs, since most don’t have much excess capacity in their child care programs.
Complicated Olive Oil
I've heard so much about olive oil being the oil of choice but never really paid full attention to why and what the differences are between the types of olive oil. In the past, I chose whatever what cheapest and now, come to think of it, it's whatever Publix has for the BOBO event. I never really thought about it until I received this MomSelect Holiday Product Pak that contained a very nice bottle of California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I started reading the product brochure that even was nicely presented in color. There are many choices when picking olive oil and here is a guide:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil is top grade and the costs the most. When this type of oil is true extra virgin oil (EVOO), it cannot have any flavor defects (i.e. moldy olives which can make the oil smell musty). This oil must taste fruity and has to meet rigid standards set by the International Olive Oil Council. Within the US, unless it comes from California, you can't be certain they meet the standards since California is the only state that has legally adopted the standard that is sold in that state. Just because it may state it is Extra Virgin Olive Oil, it's not always true.
- Virgin Olive Oil may contain slight flavor defects and has a higher acidity level which may affect the flavor in comparison to Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- Pure Olive Oil or Olive Oil has been refined to remove defects and has had a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil added to add flavor.
- Light Olive Oil is similar to Pure Olive Oil but is made from refined Olive Oil that gives it a lighter flavor. Note that the light is only in the flavor and does not have a reduced caloric or fat count.
- First Cold Press, which I have never heard of, is the first pressing of the olives done by a hydraulic press at a temperature less than 80.6 degrees.
- Pomace Olive Oil is obtained by mixing solvents into the olive pulp that is a byproduct of the milling process. Heating the pulp than allows additional extraction of the oil.
How about some great recipes?
Romesco, Arugula and Grilled Oniontime
Recipe courtesy of Chef Bill Briwa from The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone St. Helena, California
Ingredients - See recipe for Almond Romesco Sauce
- 1/4 cup romesco sauce•
- 2 Tbs mayonnaise
- 4 1/2-inch thick slices crusty bread
- 3/4 cup arugula
- 1/2 cup grilled sliced onions
- 2 grilled chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Mix together the Almond Romesco Sauce and the mayonnaise until smooth. Reserve.
- Spread one side of each piece of bread with the Almond Romesco mayonnaise.
- Place half of the arugula on 2 of the bread slices and top with half of the grilled onions.
- Slice each chicken breast and place on top of the onions.
- Moisten chicken breast with any remaining Almond Romesco mayonnaise.
- Place remaining 2 bread slices, Almond Romesco mayonnaise side down, on top of each sandwich and cut in half from corner to corner.
- Serve and enjoy!
Contact me if you would like a special free shipping code.
Note: I was provided one bottle of California Olive Ranch Olive Oil by MomSelect. I was not compensated any other way for this post.
50 First Guests at Toys-R-Us 11/29 Get to Purchase a Zhu Zhu
50 first guests at 7 am at your local Toys-R-Us will be getting to purchase a Zhu Zhu .....
Family Fun Activity with Playmobil Advent Calendar: Knight's
It's an easy kit even though the sound of putting together 90 pieces may be daunting but to show how easy it is, the instructions are via pictures and no words are needed. My oldest helped assemble the boxes, my husband put the boxes on the calendar and the girls played with the pieces. I was reluctant at first after opening the box and seeing all the pieces but once we started building, it became fun. It's the family gift that keeps giving and I can only imagine how excited they will be opening a box each day to put together the play scene. There is even enough room to hide a piece of chocolate in most of them. What a surprise treat for them!
It really fits easily on the wall and the boxes will hang with no problems. It's cute and fun.If you are looking for a new family tradition or just some good family fun, they are inexpensive.
The only con might be durability since the boxes are made of cardboard. You will want to be careful when opening and closing them as well as putting them on the calendar. All in all, it's a great way to have fun and start a new family tradition.
*Note: I was provided the Playmobil Advent Calendar to review by MomSelect. I was not compensated any other way.
Hape Toy & Rebelette Sale at HauteLook Ending in 70 Hours
HauteLook has a great collection of Hape Toys at even greater prices.
Rebelette is also on sale. If you haven't looked at HauteLook, you really should join as they offer great samples. I always price check before I buy and they have been considerably cheaper every time.
Holly and Hal Moose Build-A-Bear Workshop Review & Giveaway 12/20 CLOSED WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to...
SueBrown and Snowflake07
Thanks to all those that entered and I'm working on a brand new set of giveaways for 2010!
I don't think there is one child that doesn't like Build-A-Bear Workshop and I don't blame them. I can't imagine the fun I would have had as a child getting able to build one of these adorable animals. My oldest took my six year old to Build-A-Bear last weekend and she made two of the new Star Wars bears. One was Darth Vader and the other was a Storm Trooper.
The newest collection is Holly and Hal Moose and the clothing accessories make them even more adorable. Thanks to MomSelect and Build-A-Bear, I received the MomSelect Holiday Product Pak that had both Holly and Hal Moose. Not only are they soft and cuddly but the antlers on Hal really light up! There are even music choices to add such as: Giggle Sounds, 6 in 1 Best Friend Sounds, Frosty the Snowman Song, Jonas Brother Sound and many more. Just click here to hear samples.
Here is something that I didn't know about Build-A-Bear, you can add embroidery to really personalize a gift. It only costs $8 more but well worth it.
My daughter went to a Build-A-Bear birthday party last year and that's what we're doing next year. It was so much fun watching all the little girls have fun picking out their own bear, making it and then choosing the clothes. The Associate was fantastic and was in the right place in making sure the kids had a great time.
Build-A-Bear is really a one stop shop for all kinds of fun for your little one's and even adults that enjoy receiving cute, cuddly and personalized furry little friends.
Holly and Hal even have a special Christmas Adventure. Click HERE to watch the trailer. If you missed the airing of the movie, you can still watch it here. Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure book is a fun filled adventure that will delight any child. The story is free when you buy both Holly and Hal or for $15.99.
The Giveaway:
Two Build-A-Bear eGift Cards ($10 value each).
To Enter:
Follow my blog and leave a comment in the form below.
Extra Entries:
- Subscribe to my blog, leave a comment (2 enties)
- Tweet about this giveaway, leave a comment (can be done daily) - (2 entries per day)
- Blog about the giveaway, leave a comment (can be done daily) - (2 entries per day)
- Follow me on Twitter, leave a comment - (2 entries)
- Vote for me at DivineCaroline (widget top left) and get FIVE extra entries
- Enter any of my on-going giveaways and receive five extra entries
- Bring over any new follower and get five extra entries
- Go to HappyHollyBlog.com, watch the trailer and comment about what you saw for FIVE entries.
Giveaway ends 12/20 at midnight. Two winners will be chosen by random.org.
Thanks and good luck!
*Note: I received Holly and Hal Moose from MomSelect and was not financially compensated for this post.
Both have had e-mails sent and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner(s) will be generated via Random.org.
Derma Wand on HSN: Anyone Try It?
I was bored the other night so as I was flipping the channels, I saw the HSN sell-a-thon on the Derma Wand. It's an electronic device that delivers electric pulses at the rate of 114,000 cycles per second thus increasing the circulation of blood in your face eventually giving it a smoother, wrinkle free appearance as it claims. It's touting that by using thermal energy, it will reduce wrinkles and fine lines as well as reduce pore size. The package includes the wand, which is small and easy to hold per the demonstration, the carrying case, a how-to DVD, a booklet, a two ounce pre-face treatment, a two ounce Derma Vital Hydra Infusion Treatment and a four ounce Hydrating Skin Mist.
Here are some reviews I found both good and bad. Anyone try it? It's $80 at HSN.
Here are some reviews I found both good and bad. Anyone try it? It's $80 at HSN.
Have a Product to Sell? Check Out Womentorz
You have to love the internet and if you think of life before the net, how on earth did we survive? Have you ever noticed those movies before TV and wondered what all they did if they had free time in between all the chores? I try to tell my oldest how lucky she has it because the internet was just coming around when I was in high school and was really only available to an open audience when I hit college. Throughout those years, either from being a workabee, a mother, a student or a wife, I often thought of products to sell but never ventured forward as it seemed so daunting.
Luckily, there are platforms such as Ebay and Etsy to help grow your at home business. A new marketplace has opened up that makes it easier to get your foot in the door and it's called Womentorz. Here is an excerpt from the site:
Womentorz.com is a marketplace for you to see the latest inventions made by women for women that can't be found in stores. It's a great place to find unique gifts and interesting gadgets that solve problems in daily life. You will also have peace of mind that you are supporting a network of creative women and sustaining their independence.
Our company was founded to provide a mutually supportive and informative online community dedicated to helping creative women bring their ideas to market. Our service is simple: Womentorz.com provides a user friendly, membership-based e-commerce website which allows women inventors to sell their products directly to consumers, thereby eliminating cost and dependency on retail distribution. Women Inventors: Benefits of Using Womentorz.com!
Let's talk about costs associated with creating and maintaining a high-quality website. When you add it all up, membership makes perfect sense. Add to that the additional cost of effectively marketing your product and driving viable traffic to your website and it becomes invaluable.
- Web Developer = 40k +!
- Marketing Costs = Multiple thousands!
- Attorneys Fees = Multiple thousands!
- Your time = Let's face it - time is money!
Their motto is Brainz. Broadz. Big Ideaz! Cute isn't it? Women are a marketable force not just because there are more of us but what average person has to work for a living and then tend to the kids and the house and everything in between? The products that are already listed are innovative and new and are created by women! Watch Womentorz grow as that's the only direction they will go so if you have a product you want to try out, check them out. If you want to support another woman entrepreneur, visit them and see what they have.I have no vested interest in Womentorz and was not paid for this post. I believe in this concept of helping women secure success and fully support it!
Stride Rite Cyber Monday and Twitter Party
To kick-off the Cyber Monday celebration, Global Influence is hosting a Twitter Pre-Party Sunday, November 29th from 9 to 10 p.m. EST with our community manager, Shannan Powell (@slpowell) at the healm! For an hour tweeps will chat about Cyber Monday shopping tips and preparing for the holidays in general using the #srCyberMon hashtag.
There will be seven Stride Rite gift card winners and participants will be among the first to learn about the Fan Celebration Day on Facebook. To learn more and RSVP, go here: http://tinyurl.com/yfjucsj
To participate in the event and be eligible to win, you must follow Stride Rite on Twitter and the party hostess @slpowell, then tweet with the hashtag #SRCyberMon that night between 9:00 and 10:00! You should become a Stride Rite Fan on Facebook in order to win more prizes throughout the day Monday. Throughout the event winners will receive gift cards to Stride Rite valued between $10 and $50. Want a bonus entry? RSVP below for an extra chance to win.
Hurry as you don't want to miss out!
Winner of Horizon's Little Blends
Apologies for the delay in announcing the winner but the holiday got the best of me!
The winner of the Horizons Little Blends is:
andrews_bella@yahoo.com
Congratulations!
Thanks to all those who entered and don't forget to enter the numerous giveaways all ending soon or by 12/15!
The winner of the Horizons Little Blends is:
andrews_bella@yahoo.com
Congratulations!
Thanks to all those who entered and don't forget to enter the numerous giveaways all ending soon or by 12/15!
Oscar and Olive Osprey Book Review by Janie Suss
- Hardcover: 112 pages
- Publisher: Synergy Books (November 1, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 098231406X
- ISBN-13: 978-0982314067
- Reading level: Ages 9-12
Janie Suss is the author of this intimate introduction to two Ospreys she named Oscar and Olive Osprey. The book is full of real time facts about Ospreys and provides a wonderful resource if you want to understand the day to day lives of Ospreys. Ms. Suss does a superb job in explaining what it takes to attract this type of bird and her indepth portrayal touches a personal level as it's like a journal from a person who learned by practice. Straight from her pier in the Chesapeake Bay, you will get great details like Oscar and Olive's son being proud of his sister's ability to catch fish or when the two didn't come home to the next any longer to eat. I find the educational portion of the book a great resource to those interested in birds since it covers many facts such as habitat, migration, predators and more. There are over 50 color photographs which adds to the value of the educational and entertainement aspect of Oscar and Olive Osprey. Some of the younger might get overwhelmed with the facts and details of Ospreys and habitats but it sets a firm foundation for the rest of the delightful story. I like how Ms. Suss puts the story element behind the birds and their offsprings which should capture the interest of those wanting to know more about birds or wildlife. My youngest are 2 and 6 and I hope in a few years, they might be more interested in learning more about birds as this book will be waiting.
If you click HERE, you can order an autographed copy.
You can also sign up to become a fan of Ms. Suss' Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest news and information.
VanillaJoy Black Friday Giveaways & Links to Great Scrapbooking & More
VanillaJoy is having a Seagate FreeAgent Theater Giveaway ending December 2. If you haven't seen or hearf of Seagate, click the link above and check it out!
VanillaJoy also has great posts on craft room organization, create date ideas, obaji skin care, scrapbooking furniture and teaching baby sign language.
The scrapbooking and craft room organization will leave you drooling! I absolutely love the ideas and the ways you can make your area of work look great and functional.
Also check out all the Black Friday giveaways.
VanillaJoy also has great posts on craft room organization, create date ideas, obaji skin care, scrapbooking furniture and teaching baby sign language.
The scrapbooking and craft room organization will leave you drooling! I absolutely love the ideas and the ways you can make your area of work look great and functional.
Also check out all the Black Friday giveaways.
