Author: cvegnad

February 4, 2014

Bruce Feiler’s THE SECRETS OF HAPPY FAMILIES Kindle HDX Giveaway!

In The Secrets of Happy Families, New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler has drawn up a blueprint for modern families — a new approach to family dynamics, inspired by cutting-edge techniques gathered from experts in the disciplines of science, business, sports, and the military. Written in a charming, accessible style, The Secrets of Happy Families is smart, funny, and fresh, and will forever change how your family lives every day.

Bruce is celebrating the release of his book with a family fun “Happy Family” Kindle HDX giveaway.

One winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire HDX

The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 15th. Winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by the Litfuse blog on the 17th to see if you won.

February 2, 2014

Gifts From the Heart with Posterjack #Giveaway

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching (doesn’t if feel like we just finished all the holiday celebrations??!!). Finding the perfect gift for any celebration is so important – I love my gifts to be from the heart, personal and mean something for both the person receiving it and me giving it to them.

This year for Valentine’s Day I would love for my husband to develop a canvas print photograph of us from our wedding day. When we were married we never purchased a photo package instead we opted to purchase the rights to our photographs and were given them on a disc after our wedding. The plan was that after the wedding we would develop them and have one developed into a large print so that we could put it up in our living room. Four years later we still have not done this (insert embarassed faces right here!).

If you are not yet familiar with Posterjack they are an online photo printing company that produces some of the most spectacular photo art in Canada. They use several mediums to really turn your photographs in to works of art. You can choose to have your photographs printed on posters, canvas, metal, acrylics as well as having it mounted, framed or in a gallery box. With such a wide variety of choices you can not go wrong! My favourite products from them has always been their framed artwork.

Now my hardest task was to choose just what photograph from our wedding I wanted to use! We debated and finally chose this one:

If you are not familiar with their website uploading a photo was very simple. Actually the whole process was simple from start to finish. Just upload an image, choose your product and size (the prices are marked on the side of the options making it easy to identify roughly how much your item will cost you) and upload! This is what your screen will look like:

Posterjack is now giving you the chance to create your own special Valentine’s Day gift for a loved one! Canadian residents can enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. My compensation was bringing this great giveaway to you!

January 30, 2014

Step By Step Bread #DKCanada #Review

This year I have set severals goals for myself in the areas of cooking and baking. I am determined to eat healthier and purchase less processed foods. One of my goals is to provide my family with more home baked pastries and breads (I want to be able to control what goes in my food and choose healthier options). I have tried on several occasions to make bread loafs and have failed each time (sigh!).

I jumped at the chance to review Step By Step Bread as part of DK Canada’s Start Something New promotion. I was determined to finally make THE perfect bread loaf!

Step By Step Bread has over 125 recipes to suit any bread lover needs as well as for any occasion. Recipes range from classic breads, artisan breads, flat breads, crisps, quick breads to sweet breads (the complete set of recipes!). It was hard to even know where to start! The author Caroline Bretherton has worked in the food industry for the last fifteen years. She then opened up her own catering company and now owns and operates her own eatery in the USA.

One of the best features of this book has to be the photographs. Each recipe has a page or two dedicated to itself with large and clear photographs. She breaks each recipe down step by step making it much harder to make a mistake (especially for this newbie in the world of baking bread!). The ingredients were simple and included items that I always have stocked in my pantry. Caroline covers every possible question that I could possibly have had in this book! Not to mention the fantastic variety of recipes that were included. It covers such a large variety of recipes which eliminates the need to have multiple recipe books laying around the house.

For my first trial, I made a simple ciabatta bread. This is a family favourite in our home and we have it with dinner quite frequently and is delicious when topped with cheese. I have attempted to google recipes on four separate occasions and each time my loaf either did not rise, was rock hard or uncooked on the inside. The instructions for this recipe were simple and easy to follow. I was actually able to start this recipe while getting the boys ready to head out for school/daycare and continue it while working from home. Which is the perfect fit for me!

The final verdict from my family? They loved my ciabatta loaf! This was the first loaf that I have ever made that came out perfect – have to admit I was quite proud of myself.

I love this book and it has made the perfect addition to my recipe book collection. It is incredibly easy to follow, a great variety of recipes as well as a variety of easy and harder skill level baking. A definite must have for families! I am excited to be starting my new year providing great home baked breads for my family!

January 30, 2014

Fun Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and although we show our loved ones we care everyday, we are given a special day to go a little above and beyond the normal.

Growing up my parents always included us in Valentine’s Day surprises. We would always get a small gift as a token of their love. We have continued this tradition for our children.

Every year is a new challenge to come up with a unique gift for each of my boys and their presentation. I love wrapping gifts! We set a total limit of ten dollars per a boy each year for all items. Our youngest son is a HUGE Superman fan and the eldest loves Pokemon and YuGi Oh. Walmart had a great sale on Superman toys and I was able to pick one up for $5.00 and the cards are around the same price. I like to include Dollar Store notebooks (they both love writing so it is perfect for them). A couple of days before Valentine’s Day I head over to the Bulk Barn and pick up Valentine’s Day theme gummies (they are not big chocolate fans unless it is a Kinder Surprise!) and place those in heart Ziploc baggies. This year I am including the Watch Me Grow craft as well!

The best frugal gifts to add in to their little packages do double duty as well for school: erasers, pens, notebooks. It can also be fun to with bubbles, Kinder Surprise, candies and so much more!

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your children?

January 29, 2014

Say “I Love You” – $500 VISA gift card and 10 Canvas Print

Say “I Love You” In-Canvas Sweepstakes

Sponsored by: PrintSmart.Co ~ Organized by: Mom Powered Media

We are excited to share with you an amazing deal:

4 – 16×20″ Canvas Prints for $79 with Free Shipping. {Only $19.75 per canvas!}

1″ thick gallery-wrapped canvasesPrinted at the high photographic quality of 2880dpiImage is mirror wrapped – reflected on wrapped edges, ensuring full image is displayed on face of the canvasUV fade-resistant coating is applied to all canvas printsArrive ready for hanging on a black wooden frameAccepts all major photo file formatsFree shipping!

To Redeem, visit: https://printsmart.co/shop/canvases/canvas-prints/ and use code: 4canvas

Turnaround time is 3 weeks.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a $500 Visa Gift Card and 10 additional winners will each receive 16×20″ Canvas Prints from PrintSmart.co.

Giveaway ends February 12th at 11:59pm, open to US residents only, ages 18+. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. To enter please use the giveaway form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Contact theiowamom@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments.