Thursday, May 14, 2015

Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con is Coming! Ticket Giveaway #conlife #wizardworld



I must admit I have never attended a Comic Con, YIKES! Sad I know but this year things are different. We have wanted to attend one for years and I feel like my son being 5 this is the perfect time to go. He loves super heroes, Nintendo, Disney and more. His Dad and I have been gamers and cartoon fans for years and love sharing those interest with our son. What can be more fun then attending an event where we can all dress up, meet cool celebrities and buy stuff for our collections. If you are new to attending Wizard World Comic Con shows like us you can watch this video to see more of what it is about.



The Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con will be at the Sacramento Convention Center June 19 thru 21st. Each day has different speakers and activities so be sure to check the schedule and get your tickets here to plan your experience at Sac Comic Con.




Here are a few of the celebrities I am looking forward to meeting, Patrick Warburton who plays Joe Swanson on Family Guy and was David Puddy on Seinfeld ( I want to ask him if he does the voice on the Skylanders Swap Force game because it sure does sound like him), Danny Trejo was in Spy Kids movies and Muppets Most Wanted says he loves to play the bad guy in movies so the youth can see bad guys never win, The Blue and Green Rangers from the TV show Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers and WWE Superstars Dave Batista and Diva Eva Marie.

photo by: Wizard World
Being the HUGE Simpsons fans we are I am also looking forward to meeting animator Phil Ortiz, he also has worked on Smurfs and He-Man. I want my son to see the variety of artists that work to make his cool characters he knows and loves.



GIVEAWAY

To kick off the 36 Day countdown till Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con arrives I am hosting a giveaway for a 4 pack of tickets to attend Sunday June 21st. Sunday the event is from 11 am to 5 pm with the Kid's Costume Contest that day too. The tickets are for adults and kids over 10, children 10 and under get in FREE when accompanied by a paid adult (Limit 2 kids Per Paid Adult Admission)

a Rafflecopter giveaway



*Giveaway limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts May 14, 2015 and ends on June 15, 2015 at 12:01 am PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 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 will be provided tickets to event for this post.

Laura
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Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Salami Pasta Salad Recipe


My family and I recently found a new beach near our house, one that is uncrowded and really lovely. The white sand, piles of logs and driftwood, and beautiful blue water make it the perfect beach for sharing family time.

I know we'll be spending lots of time there this summer with the kids, and I'm really looking forward to it. Those times will include lunches and dinners, so I'm always looking for foods that can be packed up and easily transported.

Pasta salads are the perfect beach and picnic food, and the variety of recipes available is amazing. You can make a pasta salad as a side dish, or with the addition of heartier ingredients, make one as a main dish for lunch or dinner.


This recipe for Salami Pasta Salad has recently become a big family favorite. I added some big slices of warm, buttered French bread and it made a great make-ahead, easy dinner.

And one thing I do love about pasta salads is that they really are make-ahead recipes. And a recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd when you are entertaining. It's really delicious, and might just become a family favorite in your house too.


Recipe for Salami Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked white and green rotini pasta
1 - 10oz. can of RoTel diced tomatoes and green chilies
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1 cup diced Italian dry salami
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For dressing:
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the tomatoes and chilies, salami, cheese and onion.
In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.                                                        


Patricia
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Monday, May 11, 2015

Summer Camp Savings: Digital Media Academy Save $75


* I am participating in a USFamilyGuide blogger campaign and this is a sponsored post #ad





I can recall from my childhood dropping off my older brother at Summer Camp, it seemed so rugged and outdoor. That was many years ago and summer camp has many more options for topics. Everything from art to sports to acting and even technology camps. I have learned about a Digital Media Academy in California that offers many options for Summer Camp including programs for game design, 3D animation, film making, robotics and even surfing.



Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world.

Digital Media Academy is also proud to introduce Made by Girls, a new program dedicated to empowering girls and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.


Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigous colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. 


The DMA Experience from Digital Media Academy on Vimeo.

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by May 31 to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!

Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention the US Family Guide Special Offer

#CreateTheNext this summer at Digital Media Academy!









Laura
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Thursday, May 7, 2015

Gorton's Seafood Smart & Crunchy Review and Giveaway #smartandcrunchy

* I am participating in a Gorton's Seafood blogger review. I was sent products for my post #ad



My family and I are fans of Gorton's Seafood. We have tried many of their new products as they come out and always enjoy them. This time we tried the new Smart & Crunchy 100% Wild Caught Alaska Pollock and oh my this has been the best on so far!! I loved the fresh taste of the fish and the crunchy batter.

I wanted to make a simple and fast meal for my family so I made green beans and jasmine rice to go with our Smart & Crunchy Fish Sticks for dinner. My son loved them and wanted more, I had to bargain that he eat rice and veggies before he could, he clear his whole plate for more fish sticks.





GORTON'S ALL NEW SMART & CRUNCHY

Always crispy, never fried, Gorton’s Smart & Crunchy Fish Sticks have 50% less fat than Gorton’s regular fish sticks and are 180 calories per serving.

Smart & Crunchy Fish Sticks & Fillets are made with 100% wild-caught Alaska Pollock.

Smart & Crunchy Fish Sticks & Fillets are breaded in a tasty panko breadcrumb that gives them a great crunch your family will love.

Gorton’s entire line has no artificial flavors, and no MSG.

Fish and seafood are natural sources of lean protein and critical nutrients like vitamins and minerals including iron; zinc; and vitamins A, B and D.

Gorton's is easy to keep in your freezer so you always have a nutritious and great-tasting meal on-hand.

I made a simple version just eating the fish sticks as they were right from the box but they can be used in many recipes. Like the Greek Salad Fish Pitas and Fish Parmesan with Pasta Primavera



You can check here for Gorton's Coupons to print for your next trip to the grocery store. 




GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive:

Two (2) full-value product coupons
One (1) adult-size and one (1) child-size Gorton's apron
Smarty Crunchman Plush Stuffy


a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts May 7, 2015 and ends on May 17, 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.




Laura
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Friday, May 1, 2015

Double Chocolate Walnut Donuts Recipe





The other day when I was at the grocery store, at my favorite coffee shop, and out running errands, I kept seeing donuts. Donuts seemed to be everywhere, but I resisted buying any, I didn't need donuts, right?

When I got home, I still wanted donuts, so I pulled out my donut pan and decided to make these delicious Double Chocolate Walnut Donuts, which I think are just as good as any bakery sells.

One of the great things I love about making donuts is that, except for the buttermilk, I always have the ingredients on hand. I used to think they would be hard to make but they aren't, in fact it's very easy.

These donuts are chocolate, with a chocolate glaze, and can be made with nuts or sprinkles, or just left plain. Either way, they taste great.


Recipe for Double Chocolate Walnut Donuts

Ingredients:

 1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Glaze:

 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
big pinch salt
4 tablespoons whole milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup walnuts, chopped small

Directions:

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a donut pan with a light coating of nonstick baking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar.
In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold together until all of the ingredients are well combined. Use a small spoon to portion batter into the prepared doughnut baking pan.  Each doughnut mold should be about two-thirds full.  Bake doughnuts for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one of the doughnuts comes out clean.  Remove from the oven.  Allow to rest for five minutes before inverting doughnuts onto a wire rack to cool completely.  Allow doughnuts to cool completely before glazing.
Repeat the baking process until all of the batter is turned into doughnuts.

 To make the glaze, in a medium bowl whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.  Add 2 tablespoons of milk and all of the vanilla extract.  Whisk to combine.  Mixture may be thick.  Add milk, a tablespoon at a time, until the glaze is thick but still pourable.
Dip each donut about halfway down into the chocolate glaze. Place on a wire rack, and then sprinkle on walnuts.
Let the donuts sit for a few minutes to settle.

Makes 10 donuts.
Patricia
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