Discovery Science Center Giveaway!

If you've been to the Discovery Science Center before then you know just how fun it is and if you've never been.... well here is your chance to go!

The giant cube you've seen off the 5 freeway is host to so many awesome exhibits for kids of all ages.

In addition to the EcoChallenge, Dino Quest Adventure, Discover Theater, Science of Hockey, Boeing Rocket Lab and Planetary Research Station there are also rotating exhibits throughout the year.

Right now you can visit Bob the Builder's Workshop and meet all his friends as you lend them a helping hand.

Explore the Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology exhibit where you see a collection from the films and real-world artifacts from the National Geographic Society.

Dig for buried treasure and go on your own quest too!

Last but definitely not least, and perfect for the holidays, is The Science of Gingerbread where you can tour the Annual Gingerbread Competition entries, learn the science behind smelling and build and race your own candy car in the Gingerbread Derby!

The Discovery Science Center is hosting an exclusive holiday event this Wednesday 

and they are giving me tickets so you can come too!

It's going to be full of fun activities, a picture with santa and lots of exploration.

It'll be such a treat to bring your family to this outing.

For a chance to win these 

4 TICKETS TO THE EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY EVENT

ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM 6-8PM

Please:

- Leave a comment

- blog, tweet or post on Facebook about this giveaway 

- follow my blog

- like Discovery Science Center on Facebook (found as Discovery Cube)

Please leave a separate entry for each.

Good Luck!!

Doc McStuffins Giveaway

I'm sure all you fans of the Disney Channel have noticed the awesome new show Doc McStuffins!

Doc McStuffins is a 6 year old girl who runs a clinic in her playhouse for all her stuffed animals and toys.

She helps fix what ails them and, in a way that only Disney can pull off, teaches lessons about health, overcoming fears and nurturing each other.

I love that the concept was created by a mom whose son was in and out of doctor's offices and hospitals for severe asthma. 

 She hopes the show makes the process of seeing a doctor, something huge like surgery or even something small like removing a splinter less scary for children.

At the end of March, Disney also started the 24 hour Disney Junior TV Channel.

Thats 24 hours of Disney shows focused on the age range of 2-7 years old.

No, I'm not suggesting that anyone run this channel for 24 hours.

I am saying that occasionally (ahem) I need to get dinner on the table (or something like that) and the Peanut is driving me crazy and I would love to be able to put on a show he would sit and watch.

Now we have that.  Done.

Now that Disney Junior is running 24 hours we'll be eating 5 course dinners every night.

Or maybe we'll eat a dinner where all the dishes are hot at the same time.

Maybe.

So in honor of all these fun new changes and the awesome new show,
we are giving away a Doc McStuffins set, courtesy of Disney!  

In here you will find a Doc McStuffins tin lunch pail, a DVD of the show, Doc's notebook, stickers, a poster and of course, some bandaids!

To Enter the Giveaway (please leave a separate comment for each):

-Leave a comment

-Like Disney Junior on Facebook

-Blog or tweet this giveaway
-Share this post on Facebook

Contest runs through Sunday and winners will be announced Monday

I love you because... you won, Sarah Marie

Thank you everyone for entering!

Sarah Marie, just let me know what color and size you would like your print :)

Giveaway: I love you because...

I came across this print on another blog and instantly loved it!



The print is interactive- you just put it in a frame and write on the glass in a dry erase marker.

Brilliant, no?



Kiki shares some of her ideas for displaying these in her blog posts here and here.

Although they are perfect for kids (Peanut needs one of these) I think I might also have to get one for B.  You know as a little love note... or reminder... or hint.

I love you because.... you are making me braised short ribs for dinner tonight.
I love you because.... you are taking the nighttime feedings tonight.
I love you because.... 

I mean, the possibilities are endless.



Giveaway winner will get a print in the color and size of their choice.

You know the drill, an entry for each of the following:  leaving a comment, becoming a follower or spreading the word about the giveaway. Please leave a separate comment for each.

Giveaway ends Saturday!

Oops, I forot to add a link to her etsy shop! KikiComin

And the award goes to...

McVal of Sew Not My Day!

McVal said...
I would love to travel and write my own travel to Ireland books. You know the ones, little tidbits and little known facts about a fabulous country...
Please sign me up for your contest! My nephew gets back today from New Zealand after spending all winter there. This would be a perfect birthday present for him to remember his adventure.

Congrats McVal!!

A little giveaway for you!

We did very little shopping in New Zealand but don't you think for a second that I forgot you! I had every intention of doing this giveaway as soon as I hit 100 followers...which happened some time last month.



Hello 106 friends! I'm so very happy that you stop by and leave your thoughts. It completely makes my day.

I've been very bad at visiting you lately but I will be catching up. Sometimes life gets in the way of my blog reading. The nerve.



But that doesn't mean I don't think of you. All of my invisible friends. I've started talking about you to friends and family as if we've all known each other for years. "Oh my friend so and so did this the other day and told the funniest story about it....."



I just had to bring you back something from New Zealand.

I think New Zealand as a country should now make me their national spokesperson. I'd gladly promote their country for a free trip here and there.

Will blog for meat pies.



This lovely photographer Andris Apse has been photographing New Zealand for over 25 years. He really catches the magic of the ladscape in a way that is second to none.

I think I want to be him when I grow up. He is wildly talented and appears to spend his time travelling the world and taking pictures of amazing landscapes. Throw in local foods, a blog to babble on and you pretty much have my dream job.

Contest starts now and ends on Sunday night. Winner will be announced on Monday.

So leave me a comment telling me what job you think would be awesome to have (realistic to your situation or not) and you've entered to win!

CD Freebie: Kenny & Dolly "Once Upon a Christmas"

Let me first say that when it comes to Christmas I don't think there is anything that is too cheesy or corny or quirky. I watch Christmas movies and sing Christmas carols and I have wonderful Christmas memories.

I'm not sure any of you will be into this CD but in my world its a Christmas classic... an absolutely must play every year type of CD. It can also clear B out of any room. Doesn't the album cover say it all?




I can practically feel some of you cringing. Its Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton people! Its sooo country.

This was from a Christmas TV special in the early 80's. You gotta love 80's country.

The next song is loud so turn your speakers down a bit. :)



You know, music is a very personal thing. But I'm just putting it all out there by saying that I love every single song on this CD. Part of it is that my mom loves this CD and I can remember very vividly dancing to it in the living room while she was baking in the kitchen.

I remember spinning around and around. I also remember the rust colored carpet. ~shudder~



Do you remember what I said about things not being to cheesy or corny? I may eat my words. Please check out the next video.




This is the very dramatic title track of Once Upon a Christmas. This video is so fantastic. Who doesn't need a dancing nativity scene?! But really, give it a chance.. you just need to get past the speaking part and the song is really pretty.

If you want it (giggle) let me know and I'll mail it out to the first taker.

If not, feel free to leave comments about the music you love and hate at Christmas time!

Kathleen you're a winner!

Congratulations Kathleen! The winning number is 60 and you are it!

As usual I had a lot of fun doing this giveaway! There will be more freebies soon... like in a week or so.... as I am already behind in my shipping of things... because I'm a bit preoccupied.... my apologies...you'll receive your loot vewy, vewy soon. Kathleen, contact me so I can get your address!

Is there a trick to posting the Random Number Generator? If so, can you please tell me how.

Breaking News: PW and Dandy become BFF

Uh-huh. I met the one, the only, Pioneer Woman! Wooo hoo! Perhaps we aren't so much BFF as we are two people who just met for a minute. But its almost the same thing.

A few months ago I got my sister Sherri completely hooked on PW. We've been waiting anxiously for her to come to Southern California ever since we heard about her book tour.

When she finally posted the Torrance location I cancelled all plans. Which is totally understandable. Its not like I'm getting married the weekend after next.

Its not like I have 20 past due items highlighted on my knot checklist. Its not like I have baking to complete....random uncontrollable eyebrow hairs to pluck....menus to print....thank you notes to write.....paper bags to hyperventilate into.



This is P-dub we are talking about. I don't think Borders knew what was coming. I tried to warn them. Most of the staff I spoke with didn't know who she was. I was nervous things would get crazy. But I was armed with a yellow wristband which meant we were in the first group for signing.



When my good friend Ree first came in, my pictures were turning out like this. Why? Because I still have no idea how to use my camera, thats why. Its pathetic. The very sweet lady in front of me turned around and told me to up my ISO because she could hear my shutter was too slow and didn't want me to have blurry pictures.

How sweet is she?! But I just stared at her like a dear in headlights. "Um... I don't know how to adjust my ISO..." and I handed her the camera. Which is missing the eye piece by the way. I have no idea what happened to it. AND there is cookie dough on it. So embarassing.

Lucy (the sweetheart) adjusted the camera for me and I was able to take some decent pictures. She didn't even scold me for obvious camera abuse.



The line in front of us looked like this. You probably wish I would stop rambling and tell you about Ree already...I'm sure you are really just dying to hear all about her!

I learned these very important facts:

1. PW is very long and lean and gorgeous and says its on account of The Spanx. OK, she doesn't actually speak like that. Unless they have some new facial mask sort of Spanx I'm going to say Ree is just naturally pretty.

2. The Farm is a 4 hour drive from The House. 4 hours?! Their land must be super gimongous.
2a. I really like The Capitalization today.

3. When asked what advice she can give new bloggers.... Exercise More! Seriously. This will defintely be the case as I cook my way thru her book. Who am I kidding. This will definitely be the case as B cooks his way thru her book.



4. PW really does do a fantastic Ethel Merman impersonation.

5. There has been no cutting or snipping that will impede further procreation in pioneer land. Hey, I'm just the middle man here, I'm just telling it like it is, I'm just relaying the info.

and finally (drum roll please)

6. P-dub will be publishing Black Heels to Tractor Wheels! (insert spontaneous clapping here)



Sitting with PW is Sandy. Sandy has 15 kids. She seems like such a sweet thing and I'm wondering if she has a blog. Do you know Sandy and her 15 kids? I think we have a lot in common and we may also become best friends... only by "a lot in common" I mean "polar opposites". I think Sandy could teach me a thing or two.

I want to hear more of her story, she brought pictures and she said that all her kids aren't "homegrown" which I thought was the cutest thing.

update: I have found Sandi here!

I'd also like to note how super stylish Ree is. Look at those boots!



This is Lucy! Thank you Lucy for saving my pictures. I should have told you about my blog but I get nervous and I forget. Do you give private lessons?



This is Sherri, my sister! No we did not get a picture of the three of us. But we did think of it afterwards. We are good at coming up with ideas when they are useless.



This was my reaction when I ever so kindly asked Ree if I could move into the pantry at The Lodge.

I was completely denied. I was heartbroken. There she is laughing as my dreams shatter.

Or maybe I have no idea why I am making that face. I like to think its just one of those awkward shots of me as I am speaking. I look sick. I look weird. I pray my expression had changed by the time she looked up from writing.



A few things about this picture. Ree looks very purty. I suddenly feel the urge to grow out my hair. I realize I need to expand my collection of accessories. That box in front is a present I brought to Ree containing Salted Butterscotch Shortbread Bars (recipe tomorrow here and on Tasty Kitchen). Next to Ree's elbow is something cute that the very sweet girl in front of me gave her and I'm dying to know what it is. I wish I had gotten her name, also she had a very sweet boyfriend who offered to get us all coffee while we waited in line. We declared him a keeper.



Hee! B saw this from across the room and started laughing. He said all I'm missing is a thumbs up gesture. I'm so happy my face looks like it may explode.



Don't you think for a minute that I wasn't thinking of you. Of course I was. Now I realize that some of you already have her cookbook.

But do you have an autographed one? So, because I love you, because I clap every time one of you leave me a comment, because I know you love PW, because I'm getting married in less than 2 weeks, because I fit into skin tight jeans and I can still breathe and because I want you to spontaneously clap as well.... I am giving away this PW signed cookbook!

To enter: Leave me a comment! If you are a follower leave me a separate comment! If you link to my blog from yours leave me a third comment!

Giveaway closes on Friday at 9:00 pm PST. Winner winner chicken dinner to be announced on Saturday morning which just so happens to be 1 week from my wedding day... just so you know.

CD Freebie: Sarah McLachlan Wintersong

Have I told you how much I love Christmas music? I really do.


I respect the right of people to hate it, especially since it starts playing sometime around Halloween. But for me hearing Christmas music makes me giddy, I clap my hands and sigh and sing along and dance in the living room and giggle and so much more ridiculousness.

This year Christmas is starting early! Its a flurry of events around here and we wanted to be prepared. My mom started decorating this weekend. While she has been decorating the house I've been turning it into a disaster area with my baking.

I can't do Christmas baking without Christmas music. I just can't. So, I've broken out the holiday CDs.


This is not your typical Christmas CD but its a very pretty wintery sort of sound.



Anyhow, I have the Sarah McLachlan Wintersong CD. I've put it on my ipod, put it on my mom's ipod and backed up my ipod library and now I can send it on its way.


So listen to the songs here as they are on the CD and if you want it let me know.




I would be more than happy to send it out to the first person to respond with a Yes, please send it to me... or a Absolutley I would love it.... or a I can't wait to give that to my boyfriend because he has been dying for Sarah McLachlan Wintersong...




If its not your cup of tea don't worry about passing it up!

Handmade Holidays 2009

The lovely and amazing ladies over at Frenchie and Flea are hosting their 1st Annual Handmade Holidays!

"We have taken the pledge to support local businesses and handmade artisans this holiday season, and we want to encourage our readers to do the same!"

You must go over there! You must! For one, Frenchie and Flea is a gorgeous eye-candy filled site that you will adore. One of them just got married and you will die over the wedding spread.

AND they are featuring 12 different Etsy shops (and you know how much I love etsy) along with 12 different GIVEAWAYS!

So Monday thru Friday for the next 3 weeks you have the chance to win some very awesome loot. I'm sharing this because I love you... even if I want all the loot for myself.

Have you been here yet?

There is a site I've been meaning to share with you and now is the perfect time! All of the pictures from this post were taken by her and stolen from her blog... with her permission of course.



She Wears Many Hats is a place I just know you'll love. I found Amy thru Pioneer Woman's website and instantly loved hers. She is charming and witty and I sit and stare at her pictures for way longer than I should.

When I grow up I want a site just like hers. Seriously. I need something that can separate my posts. I need a spot just on food and trips and babbling and designishness. So when I saw Amy's site I instantly fell in love. I have blog envy.



I cannot believe she only started her blog in July. Also, the website was mostly done by her.

She has plenty to tickle your fancy with posts falling under 4 categories:

Hat Head, Galavantin', Yum-Yum and the Nest. Isn't she clever?!

So stop on by and tell this wonderful woman how talented she is!

Plus... right now she is doing a Pioneer Woman Cookbook GIVEAWAY!

A Fine Frenzy

I don't buy CDs quite as often as I used to. Ever since iTunes started carrying a larger selection its often cheaper to get an album there. I do buy the CD if B and I both want it or if its cheaper at Amoeba than iTunes.

What to do with the CD then? I'm really trying not to add to our already immense CD collection. So... I thought I might just pass them on to you!

I'll put up a few samples of songs featured on the CD I have and the first person who says that they want the CD can have it. I'll mail it to you... if you don't mind 2nd hand CDs. Actually, it'll be more than second hand because I'm buying them used.




A while back I posted a video of Priscilla Ahn singing Dream and Jana told me to check out A Fine Frenzy. Thank you Jana, I love discovering new music!




There is your little taste of A Fine Frenzy, its their first album called One Cell
In The Sea.

If you want it, let me know!

Lemonade Makin' Mama

You are a weiner of this lovely cupcake kit! The lucky number was 18 and again I was unable to post the picture of the number generator. I'm sure it really not that hard.



If any of you have not visited Lemonade Makin' Mama's blog... please remedy the situation immediately.

I love giving things away, lets do this again soon!

Halloween Giveaway

Its October and that means Halloween is coming up!



While we were shopping in San Francisco we happened upon an adorable little store I'll show you more of tomorrow. There were so many things I wanted, so many cute little trinkets.

And I bought something for you!



It's a cupcake kit! Aren't they just adorable?!
It includes 24 cupcake liners and 24 cute little picks to top the cupcakes!

The design company is called Meri Meri and they make all kinds of fun things.



So, to enter this giveaway just leave a comment telling me your favorite fall food!

Extra entries for 1) being/becoming a follower and for 2) posting/blogging/linking to this giveaway! Don't forget to let me know in the comments section.



The contest will go thru October 6th, winner will be announced Wednesday, October 7th.

Amber you're a Weiner!

see more dog and puppy pictures

Yay! This was sooo much fun!

To calculate the winner I numbered each commenter in order (skipping over any duplicate posts) and I used the random number generator found here. I couldn't figure out how to post it on here to be all official-like.

I wanted to give you all presents! I'll have to hold more giveaways.

Well, lovely Amber, you won! Now you have to make the large life-changing decision of which book you would like. What'll it be?!

On another note... I'm 30 today. Thats 3-0. I'm no longer a twenty-something.

And do you know what else? Some 20 year old called me "Ma'am" at the pool this week. Ma'am?! ~sigh~ But as B reminded me, I made it. Every birthday is a celebration!

My first 30 years have been fantastic, amazing, superb. I'm not exactly where I thought I would be but I'm in great place. Heres to the next 30 years!

Bonus Post

There are so many good Giveaways out and about these days I wanted to let you know.. but I didn't want you to kill me for skipping a wedding or cancer post... but then I didn't want you to miss out on some great opportunities....

So we have a bonus post!

Head over to Today's Adventure where Nessie is giving away the book Dreaming Anastasia and an autographed poster.

For you food bloggers out there... you have to check out this giveaway. I saw this unbelievable opportunity that on Matt Bites.

Who out there has won a blog contest... and what did you win?

Oh and if haven't already... enter mine!

Giveaway!

The original reason I was going to run this giveaway was to celebrate hitting the 50 follower mark! But then I logged on and I only had 49 followers. Ha! Isn't that just the way it works :)

So now I'm doing it just because I love you.

Well, also because I love books. I love to purchase books. I love to give books to other people. I have come to realize that just because I love books doesn't mean its what everyone one else wants for Christmas.... or birthdays...or flag day.

So, I'll be picking one winner by using one of the random calculator mathingies and you can pick one of the books listed.

Just leave me a comment telling me the two vital pieces of information:
1. Which book would you like?
2. What is your favorite dessert?

Contest will end on September 12nd (1 week) and the winner will be announced on September 13th (which happens to be my birthday)!

And the book choices are:



P-Dubs long-awaited cookbook! This is actually pre-order and you won't get it until October 27th. I didn't actually realize that until just now... but I suspect some of you won't care because you want the book anyway.



Domino! Well you know all about this book. I thought I would throw this in the mix too. You know you feel the need to decorate...or re-decorate...or plan for the next time you decorate.



The Time Traveler's Wife! I need someone to gab with me over the book and to compare the book with the movie and laugh and swoon and cry!

And if you are a man and don't want any of the above... (Urban Cowboy)we'll get you some cowboy poetry :)

Book Giveaway!

NotNessie over on Today's Adventure is having a book giveaway! I discovered her blog today and noticed that the 3 books she is featuring are all on my "to read" list. Besides, you know I can't pass up the chance to add to my imaginary future library.

If you would like the chance to win one of these books head on over! This could be you!

Only, you know, without the oscar. Or the super fancy dress. Or the prestige. Or the million dollar pay check. But you'd win a book and thats pretty darn cool.