Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday This is Grendon. He's my adopted Oranguntan. One of my readers brought it to my attention that I had Chimpanzee and it was wrong. I knew what he was, I guess I had a "brain fart". Sorry to all of you. I adopted him last year. No he doesn't live with me. I wish!!! I adopted him through Orangutan Outreach: http://redapes.org/adopt-an-orangutan/ Isn't he adorable??? ☮,♥,& Blogging

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month Right Around The Corner...

I thought this would be a perfect time for a review and giveaway of a Mobile Edge Komen Product. The lovely Tatijanna from "For The Love of Couture" was kind enough to agree to allow me to review a Mobile Komen Edge Product. I had contacted her In July and she agreed to send the product for Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is Oct. In the meantime their website boutique closed down. With the help of Angela Roy through Mommy Pr, I still received the product to review and she also has the giveaway product that she will send to my winner. I am so grateful to Angela as this review and giveaway means a lot to me being a Breast Cancer Survivor myself. A Little about Mommy PR, it is a site run by 8 lovely women, they host giveaways and also try and match up bloggers with PR companies. So if you're serious about blogging and product reviews, you should sign up at Mommy PR. So Angela sent me the Mobile Edge Komen Milano in Pink. Beautiful Laptop Bag. Here is a little about the bag: Exterior Dimensions: (WxHxD): 16-5" x 12.5" x 4.5" Holds Computers up to: 15.4" Screens Weight (Pounds): 3.3 Lifetime Warranty Computer Protection Compartment Removable Accessory/Cosmetics Pouch Wireless Security Shield Pocket Padded Cell Phone PocketZippered Interior Pocket Detachable Pink Ribbon Key Chain Angela at Mommy Pr is now sposnsoring the Giveaway for Mobile Edge Ladies Komen Black Tote: A Little about this bag: Exterior Dimensions: 18" x 5" x 14.5" Weight: (Pounds) 3.3 Holds Computers up to 15.4" Screens Detachable Pink Ribbon Key Chain Computer Protection Compartment Zipped Interior Pocket Removable Accessory/Cosmetic Pouch Stylish Fittings and Self- Healing Zippers All you have to do is tell me one Important Fact about Breast Cancer AND when you got your yearly mammogram this year or when you will be getting it! That's it. (MANDATORY) EXTRA ENTRIES: Follow My blog Join Mommy PR and post that you did Subscribe to Mommy PR and post that you did Follow Me in Twitter: https://twitter.com/elliejf Tweet about the Giveaway: Post URL here Blog about the Giveaway and link to Mommy Pr and Me and post URL here. Grab my Button Giveaway Open to Continental U.S. Only Giveaway will end: Oct. 15th Please leave a way for me to reach you in your post Winner has 48 hours to contact me before the prize is forfeited and another winner chosen. GOOD LUCK AND PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE MANDATORY RULES! GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED, WINNER WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY!! WINNER HAS RESPONDED SO LET'S GIVE A GREAT BIG CONGRATS TO ANNETTE D! ENJOY YOUR TOTE ANNETTE. ☮,♥,& Blogging

Small Talk Six Saturdays-Where's Mr. Rogers When You Need Him?

6 Things you LOVE or HATE about your neighbors: 1) I love that my neighbors "pick up after their dog" . They even have signs posted here like street signs that say please clean up after your dog. So cool. 2) I love that my neighbors are so friendly, everyone speaks to everyone and actually will stop and talk. 3) I HATE that my one neighbor is soooo nosy, he stops just about everyone that comes out of my house and "grills" them with questions like: Who are you? I haven't seen you around here before., What's your business with the "name inserted here"?. He got a hold of the housekeeping ladies the other day and they were literally scared. His excuse is-he is always watching houses to make sure no one is breaking in or suspicious. Now the day he did this to the housekeepers, we had just got home right as they were leaving and he knew it, so he had NO REASON to "grill" them as he knew it was all legitimate. He is just NOSY! sorry to go off on such a rant I am still upset about it. 4) I love that all the neighbors keep their yards nice and all garbage cleaned up off the streets. 5) I love that the neighbors leave the parking spaces for visitors open near each persons house. EX: If they have a party, they don't take up all the visitor spots, instead will have some guests park out on the street. Very considerate. 6) I love that if mail gets left at the wrong house you actually get it back, (even packages). I have a great neighborhood now. I think I'll live here for ever :) ☮,♥,& Blogging

Case of Popchips Giveaway

A good friend of mine is having a giveaway for my favorite snack, Popchips. They are delicious. She is giving away a case of them (24 bags). I buy them a lot when I can find them around my area. You can't beat Popchips for a healthy snack. Visit Little Bit of This and That and enter. Because Popchips are delicious, and Michele has a wonderful Blog, so hang around and read a little. You won't be sorry! Now Go! ☮,♥,& Blogging

Finding my way back...

A year ago I was in the middle of breast cancer treatment wondering if I would even see this year. Well I am seeing it, and I made it through treatment and I am now cancer FREE. However I lost part of me a long the way. I keep trying and trying to figure out how to get ME back, but nothing seems to be working. Maybe that is God's way of telling me it's time to put the old me behind and become the new me. I don't know. I think I seem sad a lot. I know I feel sad a lot. I am always going to worry if the cancer is going to come back, is it going to sneak up on me now that I have healed? I am scared to death to get mammograms done, do my routine self exam. I don't want to do them I'm afraid I will find something, then what? Do it all over again? I can't, I don't want too. I thought by now I would be ready to talk about my cancer freely. I no way could help another person going through cancer treatment right now, I have nothing good to say about it. Everybody used to tell me how much fun I am, I'm not anymore, I don't even go out much, maybe only to the grocery store and doctors appointments. If you knew me before all this, you would see what I mean, but I just can't get that Ellie back. So I bury myself in my blog and reviews and giveaways, and hide away from the world. Thank God for Gary and my kids, they keep me going. My son Jack makes me laugh daily. Gary loves me every minute of every day and it's a great feeling to be that loved, but that doesn't even bring the old me back. I guess I just need to except the fact that the old me may never return, and I just have to work on making the new me better and better everyday.......

☮,♥,& Blogging

Small Talk Six Saturdays-What do you say on Turkey Day?

Do you do the old fashioned go around the table and ask everyone what they are thankful for Thanksgiving? We do and here are some of the things I am thankful for:

1) First of all I am thankful that I am here to celebrate Thanksgiving this year.

2) I am thankful for my family and Gary's family and especially having Gary in my life.

3) I am thankful for Gary's sister Alison for allowing us to live with her.

4) I am thankful that my kids are healthy and happy.

5) I am thankful I am getting another Granddaughter. (She's is being born Nov. 24th via C-Section)

6) I am thankful that Alison's dog Sidney who has lymphoma is still with us and seems to be doing very well.

What are you thankful for?

☮,♥,& Blogging ツ

Small Talk Six Saturdays-'Tis the Season

Today's topic is 6 things you love or hate about Autumn. 1) I love the all the Autumn colors. 2) Halloween 3) Thanksgiving 4) I hate raking leaves 5) I hate that summers over and winters not far away 6) I love that is cooler ☮,♥,& Blogging

I'm Back!

Sorry I have been gone so long without posting but I was sick. I had the flu for over a week. I am finally starting to feel strong enough to sit up at the computer for more than 5 minutes. So I just wanted to let you know that I am going to be hard at work looking for more giveaways for all you faithful readers. I have a few coming for sure. A really great one the beginning of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (ARV $150.00) so keep checking back. Anyhow I missed you all and blogging but I think I'm back!


☮,♥,& Blogging

I had a Makeover Review & Giveaway

Like my new Blog? I do too, in fact I LOVE it. I had a makeover done by Angela Vinez Designs, a very talented lady I might add. She not only does Blog makeovers she also does professional photography and supports WAHM in their businesses. I contacted Angela and inquired about doing a Blog makeover for me as a Review and Giveaway for my blog and she very kindly said yes. All I had to do is tell her what colors I wanted and what labels, and make my pages for the Navigation Bar. Then she sends you a test Blog and you check and see if there are any changes you want made. If all is good she moves your Blog over to the new layout and Poof, your new Blog is done and ready to go. I have to say I look all pretty now and much more professional. Angela also has a boutique and some beautiful items. However I just got word that her boutique will be closing September 30th. Everything is 25% off with this code (CPSIA). You should check out her boutique and maybe do some early Christmas shopping with a 25% discount. Remember though it all ends and the boutique items will be gone after September 30th. Here is her website so you can go look for yourself: Angela Vinez Designs She is such a kind person and wonderful to work with, I got very lucky when I came across her site. Well she is so kind she has offered a giveaway to one of my readers. Yes one of you lucky people will win a Blog Makeover. She is offering a Professional Design with a custom header: http://tinyurl.com/q2o69k. She would like the winner to claim their prize by Oct. 21st as she will be going out of town and would like to make the blog before leaving, if possible and if not you will have to wait until after Nov. 8th when she returns. All you have to do is go Christmas window shopping at Angela Vinez Designs and choose a boutique item and tell who it would be for. (THIS IS MANDATORY) EXTRA ENTRIES: Follow my Brand new Blog Blog about the giveaway and link to Angela Vinez Designs and me, then return and post the URL. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/elliejf Tweet about the giveaway and return and post the URL. Grab my brand new button. Giveaway open to the Continental US only. Giveaway ends Sept. 26th. Please leave a way for me to contact you in your post. You have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and another winner chosen. GIVEAWAY OVER AND WINNER CONTACTED AND SHE RESPONDED! GIVE A BIG CONGRATS TO SHELLBELL574. SHE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANGELA AND WILL BE SPORTING A NEW BLOG MAKEOVER SOON! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE! ☮,♥,& Blogging

Chaka's MMM Sauces are MMMighty Tasty

Who doesn't love a good BBQ? Not to mention a good sauce to marinade the meats with. We are always looking for different sauces to try. Well a couple months ago I came across this website "Chaka's MMM Sauce", and with a name like that I had to try it. So I contacted them and inquired about doing a review and giveaway. Mr. Chaka returned my email and was very willing. He sent me a Li'l Sample Pack which included an 180z. bottle of Original and an 180z. bottle of the Zesty. The Original's ingredients include: Ingredients: Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soy Beans, Salt), Water, Vinegar, Dehydrated Onions, Garlic, Spices, Lemon Juice, Xanthan Gum, and Sodium Benzoate to preserve freshness. Nutritional Information per Serving: Total fat-0% Cholesterol-0% Sodium (380mg)-16% Total Carbohydrate (2g)-1% Sugar-0% Protein-0% Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. The Zesty's Ingredients include: Ingredients: Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soy Beans, Salt), Water, Vinegar, Dehydrated Onions, Garlic, Spices, Cayenne Pepper, Lemon Juice, Xanthan Gum, and Sodium Benzoate to preserve freshness. Nutritional Information per Serving: Total fat-0% Cholesterol-0% Sodium (380mg)-16% Total Carbohydrate (2g)-1% Sugar-0% Protein-0% Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. We tried the Original first on chicken on the grill. I really enjoyed the taste and it made the chicken so juicy and tender. Then we used it on Turkey Burger's on the grill and it definitely helped keep the burgers juicy. Sometimes when we make the Turkey Burgers they turn out very dry. Now I didn't try the Zesty as I don't eat hot foods, but my boyfriend did. He used it in his Pad Thai and said it gave it the right amount of heat. He also tried it as a dipping sauce for his Pot Stickers and said it was just alright but probably wouldn't use it as a dipping sauce again but loved it as a marinade . But all in all it was a good product and I would purchase it. A little interesting information about Mr. Chaka: He is known around the Tri State area as a spokesdude for a drug abuse prevention program for teens and young adults. Also he has done the voices of many characters like, Mr. T, Tatoo, Smurfette, Muhammad Ali, and Richard Simmons. He is a man of many talents, but I would have to say his Sauces are his best talent. One lucky reader is going to win a Small Sample Pack which includes: 1-180z. bottle of the Original 1-18oz. bottle of the Chakayaki 1-180z. bottle of the Honeysuckle Chili To win the Sample pack you must visit Chaka's MMM Products website and choose the flavor of sauce you would like to try and ALSO what is the first thing you would try it on. EX: chicken, steak, fish, etc.....(THIS IS MANDATORY) EXTRA ENTRIES: Follow my Blog Blog about the giveaway and link to Chaka's and me then return and post the URL. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/elliejf Tweet about the giveaway and return and post the URL. Grab my Button Giveaway Open to Continental US only Giveaway Ends Sept. 24th Please leave a way for me to contact you in your post. Winner has 48 hours to contact me before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. MAKE SURE YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE MANDATORY RULES!! GIVEAWAY IS OVER! WINNER CHOSEN AND CONTACTED, WAITING FOR RESPONSE. ☮,♥,& Blogging

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review & Giveaway

I recently received a 32 oz. jar of the Tropical Tradition Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and the book Virgin Coconut Oil, How it has changed people's lives and how it can change yours. Opened the lid and it smelled like a fresh coconut and thought maybe it would be lumpy but it wasn't. It was nice and creamy. We first cooked Mahi Mahi with it. Now as it was cooking you could smell a little coconut but when we tasted the food there was no coconut taste. Yet a nice light, not greasy taste. Very good. Then we made Popcorn the old fashioned way with it, again you could smell coconut in the air, but not taste it in the food. The popcorn was so white and lite flavor, until I added the butter of course. Then we fried Pot Stickers in it and they turned out perfect. Just the perfect brown on each side. We were very pleased so far by the Virgin Coconut Oil. Tonight we used it to fry up our Pad Thai, and again you can smell coconut but not taste. It was delicious, very light, very tasty. Tropical Traditions have so much more than Oil, they have household products, skin care products, and pet products. Tropical Traditions is giving away one 32oz. jar of The Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and a copy of the book to one of my readers. All you have to do is visit Tropical Traditions and tell me a recipe you would like to try (THIS IS MANDATORY) EXTRA ENTRIES: Sign up for Tropical Traditions Newsletter Follow Tropical Traditions on Facebook Follow my Blog Blog about the Giveaway and link back to Tropical Traditions and me. Leave URL Follow me on twitter :https://twitter.com/elliejf Tweet the Giveaway Grab My Button Giveaway for Continental US only Giveaway Ends: Sept. 20th Please leave a away for me to contact you in your post. Winner has 48 hours to contact me before prize is forfeited and another winner is chosen. MAKE SURE YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE MANDATORY RULES OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED! GIVEAWAY IS OVER! WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED! ☮,♥,& Blogging

Stop, Shop & Save

I know everyone loves a good deal, so I recently came across one that I thought I would share with my readers. Stop & Shop is making going back to school a little easier with this promotion by saving both on groceries and gas. This promotion is taking place from September 4-10. Here's how it works: Stop & Shop is teaming up with General Mills to help families stock up and save as they head back to school. 1.) General Mills will give great savings on the participating General Mills Products: Yoplait Delights, Pillsbury Sweet Rolls, Cheerios, Lucky charms, Reese Puffs, Cookie Crisps, Fruit Snacks, Old El Paso Dinner Kits, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Pillsbury Strudel, Pillsbury Scrambles, Green Giant Boxed Vegetables, YoPlait, YoPlait Plus Multi Pack, Fiber one, Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookies, and Refrigerated Crescent Rolls. 2.) Some additional Savings for your school and you depending on which Stop & Shop locations you shop. If your Stop & Shop store sells gas:

• Buy (4) participating General Mills items and you'll automatically earn 100 points on you Stop & Shop Card.
• Every 100 points earned you save $.10 (cents) per gallon of gas. But the total discount can not exceed the price per gallon.
• Just swipe you Stop & Shop card at the pumps to redeem your rewards.

3.) If your Stop & Shop does not have a gas station connected to it and sell gas:

• If you buy 5 participating General Mills Products, you will receive 20 Box Tops to help out your school.

Now MyBlogSpark and General Mills are supplying the $10.00 gift cards. Since I didn't really find a Stop & Shop, that sells gas, I am forfeiting my gift card so I can give away 2 $10.00 gift cards to my readers. So there will be 2 winners. Each will win a $10.00 gift card to Shop & Save. All you need to do to win is try and figure out how much you will save on your next trip to the store (Estimate) (This is MANDATORY). EXTRA ENTRIES: Follow my Blog Blog about the giveaway and link back to Stop Shop and MyBlogSpark and Me, then post URL here. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/elliejf Tweet the giveaway: Open To Continental US only Giveaway Ends: Sept. 10th Please leave a way for me to contact you in your post. Winner has 48 hours to contact me with mailing info or the prize with be forfeited and a new winner chosen. Good Luck! Follow Mandatory rules or you will be disqualified! GIVEAWAY OVER!! WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND CONTACTED, WAITING FOR RESPONSES. HEARD BACK FROM WINNERS! BIG CONGRATS TO LILYK AND JINXY AND ME! ENJOY YOUR GIFT CARDS LADIES! ☮,♥,& Blogging

Wordless Wednesday

These hang over my back patio from my neighbor's tree. I never see them to ask them but does anyone know what it may be? Anyone? ☮,♥,& Blogging

Yoplait-"Whip" your snack into a shape.

First let me say, I am not the biggest fan of yogurt. I will eat it, and some I do like a lot. I'm picky about my yogurt. So when the Ladies of MyBlogSpark contacted me and asked if I would be interested in this opportunity I said yes because I had never thought of doing this myself. It turns my not favorite treat into a rather enjoyable snack. A snack that comes in many tasty flavors such as: Strawberry Mist, Chocolate, Key Lime Pie, Orange Crème, Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon Burst, Peaches 'N Cream and Raspberry Mousse and the newest Vanilla Creme I had to try some Yoplait Whips, which I wasn't necessarily fond of due to the texture. It was to "fluffy" or "bubbly". Like there was too much air in it or something. Anyhow I gave it a try. So when I received the The Summer Cool Down Giftbag from MyBlogSpark (have I mentioned that I LOVE them?) Well I do. It contained a Cooler Tote, 2 free coupons for Yoplait Whips, Popsicle molds, and a set of 12 color changing spoons. Now I have to say when you freeze the Whips, they are so much better. Actually a tasty, healthy snack. You don't have that fluffy texture, it's like eating an ice cream bar. So I would definitely do that. You can also use the Popsicle molds for other things, like natural juices for a another healthy treat. We also have a downloadable coupon for Yoplait Whips! - where you can save $0.60 when you purchase three cups of any Yoplait Whips! Flavor: Click here to download. Sign-up to become subscribers of Betty Crocker's newsletter, and you will receive a free coupon for Yoplait Whips! **Click here to join. Now MyBlogSpark is offering a Summer Cool Down Giftbag to one of my faithful readers. Now all you have to do is visit the Yoplait Website and choose the flavor of Yoplait Whips you would like to freeze into "whipsicles". (My nickname for them) Then pick a nickname for them, (and YOU CAN'T USE MINE) AND POST IT HERE. (THIS IS MANDATORY). EXTRA ENTRIES ONLY: 1.) Follow my Blog 2.) Blog about the giveaway and link back to Yoplait and me then retuen and post URL. 3.) Follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/elliejf) 4.) Tweet the Giveaway and return with URL. 5.) Sign up for the Betty Crocker email Newsletter ( get a coupon for a free sample of Whips also) coupons not excepted in all states, make sure you check the website. Giveaway open to Continental US Only Giveaway Ends September 15th Please leave a way for me to contact you in your post. Winner has 48 hours to contact me before prize is forfeited and a new winner chosen GOOD LUCK!!!! PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO MANDATORY RULES OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!! GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED, WINNER CHOSEN AND CONTACTED! ☮,♥,& Blogging