Thursday, December 18, 2014

Hearthsong Toy Review and $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway




 I was provided with a product for my review. All opinions are mine alone.
  

 As a mom and grandmother, I have been buying toys for almost 40 years. What's important to me now when I give my grandchildren toys, is that they are well-made, creative, and sparks their imaginations.

That's exactly what Hearthsong toys do. Hearthsong lets parents provide their children with wholesome, age-appropriate, and high-quality playthings.

When I was given the chance to review the Skyscraper Glow-in-the-Dark Marble Run, I knew my grandsons would really love it. And they do, with it providing hours of creative play and fun.

Here are this toy's very cool features:

Our bright-window-filled skyscraper blocks are fun to play with day and night! Glittery windows soak up the sun and reflect it back to you after dark. Build stacks of varying heights and connect their tops with a marble run so you can watch the glow-in-the-dark marbles jump down, around, and along that fun run's stair step, water wheel, seesaw, and funnel. Illuminating!

• Glow-in-the-dark skyscrapers make a marble run
• Wooden blocks with glittery windows
• Windows soak up the sun and glow at night
• Build stack of varying heights
• Connect stacks with marble runs
• Includes tricks like stair step, water wheel, seesaw, and funnel

It's really been fun for me to see how creative the boys are with this Marble Run, and the glow-in-the-dark feature is awesome. They love turning off the light at night and playing with it. It's an absolutely great toy that boys and girls will love, all the while using and developing their imaginations.



 You can visit the Hearthsong website here to shop for toys. It's actually one of the best shopping sites I've ever used because it's so in-depth and easy to navigate. It lets you find the perfect toy for your child by age groups, interests, categories, and prices. And using the Gift Finder is very helpful to narrow down your choices from the hundreds of selections available.

I love talking about the Hearthsong company because it's toys remind me of the days when children had the chance to be creative and make using their imaginations a part of growing and learning. Good toys like these are important, I think, for developing creative thinking and imaginative playtime.

Besides the Hearthsong website, you can visit them on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

I'm so happy to share with you that Heartsong is giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to one of our readers. Be sure and enter and have your own chance to experience these great toys.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Dec. 18, 2014 and ends on Jan 1, 2015 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent a product to review for this post.




Patricia
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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

RSVP for the #HolidaysAreComingTwitter Party

CB-Twitter-Party-Post-Disclosure-June2014-TM
 
#HolidaysAreCalling-Twitter-Party-12-23-3pmEST

Do you love a good Twitter Party? You know we do, and we’re excited to host a party about last minute holiday shopping and how a Walmart Family Mobile phone and starter kit would make a great gift. Please join us on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 3:00pm EST for the #HolidaysAreCalling Twitter Party where we’ll chat about shopping for a new phone and how the Walmart Best Plans make gift giving even easier.

When the holiday season comes around, I love to catch up with family and friends. Unlimited Talk Text and Data allows me to spend all the time I want talking on the phone, without worrying about receiving a big surprise phone bill. Lowest Priced Unlimited Plans make it so easy to stay in touch with the people you care about. And if someone on your holiday shopping list wants a new phone and plan, they make wonderful gifts. I hope you’ll join me for the #HolidaysAreCalling Twitter Party as we chat about this great holiday gift idea!

Join me and RSVP for the #HolidaysAreCalling Twitter Party on SoFabChats!


 

DATE:Tuesday, December 23

TIME: 3:00 – 4:00pm ET

EARLY BIRD PRIZE: 1 – $50 Walmart Gift Card

PRIZES:

PRIZE 1: – (1) $100 Walmart Gift Card & Lumia 520 smartphone ($49.88)
PRIZE 2: – (1) $100 Walmart Gift Card & Evolve 2 smartphone ($49.88)
PRIZE 3: – (1) $100 Walmart Gift Card & Galaxy Exhibit smartphone ($79.88)
PRIZE 4: – (1) $100 Walmart Gift Card & LG L90 smartphone ($119.00)
PRIZE 5: – (1) $100 Walmart Gift Card & FIERCE 2 smartphone ($129.88)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (+ D.C); 18 years and older. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Valid 3:00 pm – 3:55 pm ET on 12/23/14. For Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, http://cbi.as/7ldim. Find details for Lumia 520: http://cbi.as/as3-k, Evolve 2: http://cbi.as/b7i5u, Galaxy Exhibit: http://cbi.as/f44ao, LG L90: http://cbi.as/a2qdl, FIERCE 2: http://cbi.as/iog2m, and Walmart Gift Card details here: http://cbi.as/osr4i.

HOSTS:@blueviolet, @frugalfamtree, @afrugalfriend, @peanutsgang2004 and @tsue1136

SPECIAL GUEST:@FamilyMobile

RULES:#HolidaysAreCalling Twitter Party Official Rules

RSVP & PARTY GRID: #HolidaysAreCalling


How To Participate In A Twitter Party on SoFabChats!
 
TIP:  How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!

TIP: Who to follow at a Twitter Party? Follow the Party Team by clicking on the Twitter handle links on the RSVP page!
 
TIP: Want to win Twitter Party prizes? RSVP by clicking on RSVP button before you join the party, follow everyone on the Party Team, and tweet with the party hashtag during the party to be eligible!
 
TIP: How to win the Early Bird prize? Watch for chance to share a tweet when you RSVP for chance to win!
 
TIP: Special deals and brand coupons? Keep that option checked when you RSVP for the party!
 
TIP: New to Twitter parties? Watch your column and Party Team tweet columns – they are slower paced and easier to follow!
 
TIP: Where to find Twitter Parties? Check out the SoFabChatsTwitter Party Calendarto find more fun parties to attend!

Find more helpful Twitter Party Tips on SoFabChats!


Patricia
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DIY Pinecone Christmas Trees



As a child the magic of Christmas was always in the decorations, especially ones that my brothers and sisters and I had made ourselves. Every year our mother would pull out the decorations we had made over the years and floods of great memories always came to mind.

I set out to do a simple project with my little ones, something easy, fun with instant results. These Pinecone Christmas Trees were perfect for my 3 year old and almost 2 year old.

A few simple supplies: pinecones (from Michaels), sparkles for the ornaments, different string choices for the garland or lights and glue. Honestly a hot glue gun would have been better but they are so young, later as the items start to fall off I will go behind them with the hot glue gun.

Here they are working so hard, Ashley even moved on top of the table for a better angle! I let them do it all by their selves, they always love it when there are no rules during a craft! There was no fuss, no fighting and beautiful results. I can't wait to pull these out of the Christmas tub every year and seeing the same memories come to mind for them.



This was published last year, but I wanted to share it again.

Samantha
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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

RSVP For The #McCafeMyWay Twitter Party Dec 19 3PM EST


twitter party


Twitter Party
 
Do you love a good Twitter Party? You know we do and we’re excited to host a party to share about the McCafe New Product Launch at Walmart! On December 19th at 3pm EST, please join us for the #McCafeMyWay Twitter Party where we’ll be discussing the new McCafe Coffee Pods, Ground Coffee, and giving you a chance to win prizes!

I am such a coffee lover, and am very happy when I get to enjoy a great cup of McCafe Coffee. You can now enjoy it's delicious flavor by brewing it right at home. So easy and so delicious. Come join us for the #McCafeMyWay Twitter Party to talk coffee! Also, you can try it before you buy it, because Walmart is hosting a few demos at selected stores December 18 - December 21. Hope to see you at the party.


Join me and RSVP for the #McCafeMyWay Twitter Party on SoFabChats!



DATE: Friday, December 19th
 
TIME: 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET
 
EARLY BIRD: 1 – $50 Walmart Gift Card
 
PRIZES: 5 – (1) $100 Walmart Gift Cards
 
 
 
RSVP & PARTY GRID#McCafeMyWay Twitter Party Page

 


How To Participate In A Twitter Party on SoFabChats!
 
 
TIP: How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!
 
TIP: Who to follow at a Twitter Party? Follow the Party Team by clicking on the Twitter handle links on the RSVP page!
 
TIP: Want to win Twitter Party prizes? RSVP by clicking on RSVP button before you join the party, follow everyone on the Party Team, and tweet with the party hashtag during the party to be eligible!
 
TIP: How to win the Early Bird prize? Watch for chance to share a tweet when you RSVP for chance to win!
 
TIP: Special deals and brand coupons? Keep that option checked when you RSVP for the party!
TIP: New to Twitter parties? Watch your column and Party Team tweet columns – they are slower paced and easier to follow!
 
TIP: Where to find Twitter Parties? Check out the SoFabChats Twitter Party Calendar to find more fun parties to attend!
 
Find more helpful Twitter Party Tips on SoFabChats!


Patricia
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Jam Thumbprint Christmas Cookie Recipe



Jam Thumbprint cookies bring back happy memories of my mom baking in the kitchen at Christmas time. She made these several times during the season because they were eaten almost as soon as they came out of the oven.

I wish I had her recipe, but I never asked her for it. So, decades later, this is the first time I've tried making these cookies. They honestly aren't as pretty as my mom's were, but they do taste great.

My grandchildren ate these right up too, and it was bittersweet for me to realize how time passes, and the generations carry on.


You can use different flavors of jam for the cookies. I used strawberry jam for these, but I'm making a few more batches where I'm going to try raspberry and apricot.


Recipe for Jam Thumbprints

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups plus 3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 teaspoons milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, combine the sugar, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts.
Beat at medium speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour. Continue beating until well mixed.
Take a scoop of dough the size of a walnut and roll it into a smooth ball. Place the balls 2 inches apart on baking sheets liked with parchment paper. With your thumb, make an indentation in the center and fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
Bake for 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Stir together powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle over cookies.

Makes 2 dozen cookies

Patricia
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