Snowman Pop-Tarts Sled and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED


If you are looking for a fun little kitchen project, 
give these Snowman Pop-Tarts a go!
I had a fun time with my kids while we put them together. 

If you would like to enter to win the $100 Visa Gift Card  from BlogHer leave me a comment below telling me the thing you love most about Christmas! Be sure to leave me your email address as well. You have until December 25th to enter.

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. 

The official rules can be found here.

There will also be a second opportunity to enter next week. Watch for another Pop-Tarts post that will include a video my family and I put together.
Click here to see the other 9 bloggers participating in this campaign.

Snowman Pop-Tarts Sled

Time: 1 hour

Yield: 12 sleds

Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!

PRINT RECIPE

Royal Icing:

4 C powdered sugar

3 large egg whites

1/2 t cream of tartar

Sleds:

12 Pop-Tarts

1 bag extra large marshmallows

1 bag regular marshmallows

24 candy canes

assorted candy....red hots, hard cinnamon candies, mini chocolate chips...what ever suits your fancy!

Big Red Gum

Edible Color Markers (totally optional...but fun!)

1. To make the Royal Icing put all ingredients in a mixing bowl, or a stand mixer. Beat on medium high speed for at least 7 minutes. You want it to hold a peak.

2. Leave the icing white, or add food coloring if you choose. I opted to turn a bit of it red. 

3. Glue the candy canes to the top of the Pop-Tarts with the Royal Icing. 

4. Build your self a little snowman with the marshmallow. Use the Royal Icing to stick each part together.

5. I used these fun Edible Markers to draw faces on the snowmen, and to add little details to the scarfs. (made from Big Red gum)I got the markers at my local WalMart.

Use your imagination! Have FUN!!!!!

 

Weebles Prize Pack and $100 HasbroToyShop.com Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Weebles.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Just the other day we got a big fat package on the doorstep.

It had been one of those days.

You know the kind.

Everyone was bored.

There was "nothing to do, Mom!"

It was the kind of day when the 

WhiningFightingCrying level FAR exceeded the....

CooperativeLovingFamily level.

I'm sure that doesn't happen very often at your house. You'll just have to use your imagination and trust me when I say...

those kind of days really stink.

 

Inside the package was a whole collection of Weebles from Playskool. Included were the Weebles Musical TreeHouse, Weeble Wobble-Go-Round, Weebles Wobblin' Go-Carts, and a Weebles Figure Assortment.

Can I just tell you honestly. 

There were smiles all around.

They really added a lot of fun to our day!

My LittleTwinBoys loved them. They seriously played for hours with them that afternoon, and have been

enjoying them ever since. 

A certain daughter who is eight years old,

and will remain nameless

also played with them for hours.....

just between you and I.

Weebles , you really saved the day.

And the night.

And the next morning, and afternoon as well.

If you would like a chance to win a fun Weebles Prize Package and $100 HasbroToyShop.com gift card you may enter below! Leave me a comment telling me your favorite RainyDayHaveFunWithYourKids Activity.
Be sure to leave your email address with your comment. 

This giveaway will run from today to December 24th. The winner will be announced on Monday December 27.

The Rules of the Giveaway are....
No duplicate comments.
You may receive 2 total entries by selecting from any of the following entry methods:
a)  Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt above.
b)  Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
c)  Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
d)  No-effort entry: Follow this link and provide your email address.


This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winner will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. 
The official rules are available here.

Here is a short video of my LittleTwinBoys hanging out with their new Weebles.

You can check out 9 other bloggers sites with more videos, and of course more opportunities to enter and win.

Pop -Tarts Video and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts.

                                  

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

 

                                  Well hold on to your hats.

I have made a video for you!
Just for you....
to laugh at,
to chuckle at,
to grin at.


And hopefully you will be laughing,
and chuckling,
and grinning 
WITH us....more than AT us.
Here's to hoping!!

***If you would like to enter to win $100 Visa Gift Card leave me a comment below telling me what dish....or dishes you will be making this Thanksgiving. Entry comments left here will be combined with the entry comments from the Pop-Tarts Thankful House Post. If you entered at end of that post, you are welcome to enter here as well.


For a second entry (on this post)...
1. Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)
2. Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)
3. Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

Click here to see the 9 other bloggers participating in this review program. They are each giving away a $100 Visa gift card as well.

To link to the official sweepstakes rules, you can click here. 

Have a great day everyone!

$100 Visa Gift Card, Ghirardelli Chocolate Waffles, and Chocolate Toffe Cheesecake

This is a sponsored review by BlogHer and Ghirardelli.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

All right guys and gals, I'm going to give it to you strait. This post has a whole lot to offer you. Two fabulous recipes using Ghirardelli Chocolate..... and a chance to win $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of  BlogHer . Hot diggidy dog. What a great day.

I will give a small warning. If you don't like chocolate...please avert your eyes. Chocolate is the topic of discussion today, and it's going to be laid on thick. Thick and rich and luscious and delectable and down right fabulous. If those words don't entice you...well then. I'll have to see you another day with some sort of tasty vegetable recipe in tow. I'll be up nights trying to figure how to make it luscious and delectable. But you are worth it...I'll give it my best shot.


As for the rest of you chocolate lovin' readers...we are in for a treat!

If you would like to enter for a chance to win $100 Visa Gift Card then leave me a comment below telling me your favorite way to eat chocolate! Be sure to leave your email address. The winner will be announced on December 16th.

For a second opportunity to win...
1. Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)
2. Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)
3. Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

If you would like to view some Chocolate Waffles and a delectable Chocolate Toffee Cheesecake.....well then keep on a scrollin' down. You won't be disappointed! 

Chocolate Waffles, dripping with homemade strawberry jam and adorned with a dollop of whip cream. Chocolaty richness in every bite. This recipe comes from The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook.
These Chocolate Waffles are WONDERFUL!!!! My family was thrilled beyond belief when I served them up for breakfast. Some ate them with maple syrup, some with strawberry jam, some just ate them plain. Take your pick. They are good as can be and would make a wonderful holiday breakfast.

Chocolate Waffles

Time: 30 minutes

Yeild: 14 waffles

Recipe from The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook

PRINT RECIPE

2 C flour

1 C Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 T baking powder

2 T sugar

1/2 t salt

2 C milk

4 large eggs, separated

4 T canola oil

1 C Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1. Combine the baking powder, flour and cocoa in a mixing bowl.

2. In a separate bowl whisk together the milk, egg yolks and oil. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients.

3. In another bowl beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. It shouldn't take long, only about 3 minutes.

4. Fold the egg whites into your chocolaty batter.

5. Stir in your chocolate chips and you are ready to roll.

6. Spray your waffle iron with cooking spray and cook until done.

Serve with maple syrup, or strawberry jam.

 CHOCOLATE TOFFEE CHEESECAKE

Chocolate Toffee Cheesecake.  Need I say more. This heavenly dessert would make a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving Holiday Feast. I for one, am planning on making it...just so I have another chance to eat it. It really is down right SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!
If you are a Cheesecake fan, this dessert it for you.

Chocolate Toffee Cheesecake 

Time: 90 minutes + time 3 hours refrigeration

Yield: 12 servings

Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!

PRINT RECIPE

Crust:

30 Oreos

1/3 C melted butter

Filling:

4  8 oz packages cream cheese

1 C sugar

2 t vanilla

1 C sour cream

4 eggs

Topping:

8  oz  Ghirardelli Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (2/3 of a 12 oz bag)

8  oz whipping cream

dash salt

1/2 t vanilla

1  12 oz bag health toffee pieces

1. For the crust, grind your Oreos in a small food processor. Place the crumbs in a small mixing bowl. 

2. Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and mix to combine well.

3. Get out your handy 10 inch spring form pan. Press the crust crumbs over the bottom of the pan and up 1 inch of the sides. It works well to use the a small measuring cup to help form the crust to the pan.

4. Beat the cream cheese in your stand mixer, or with hand held beaters for about 2 minutes, until smooth. 

5. Add the sugar and vanilla and mix until well combined.

6. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each egg.

7. Stir the sour cream into the mixture, just until incorporated.

8. Place a 9x13 pan of water on the lower rack of your oven.

9. Pour your cheesecake filling over the chocolate crust.

10. Put the cheesecake into a 350 degree oven and bake for 60-70 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from the oven when a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cheesecake comes out clean.

11. Cool completely on a wire rack and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 

12. Put all topping ingredients (but the toffee chips) into a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, and then stir. Keep heating in 30 second increments until the chocolate melts and can easily be incorporated into the cream. Whisk it together well.

13. Set the chocolate topping on the counter and let it set up for about 15 minutes, or until it begins to thicken a bit. You need to be careful here. If you pour it over the top of your cheesecake when it's too thin you'll have a real mess on your hands. You want it thick enough that once you put it on the top of the cheesecake, you can gently push it over the side and it will set nicely. The longer you let it sit, the thicker it will become. 

14. When the topping is the right consistency pour it on top of the cheesecake. Gently push it over the sides in several areas with a spoon.

15. Cover with toffee chips and return to the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

To see BlogHers Official Rules Page click here.
You can also see 9 other bloggers Ghirardelli Recipes, and enter to win their $100 Giveaway. Just click here.

Pop Tarts Thankful House and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

When Pop-Tarts® so graciously sent me some samples of their limited edition Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts I knew my kids would enjoy making something fun with them.

Actually....I think my kids would have been pleased as punch if I would have agreed to let them eat these Pop-Tarts® round the clock until 

each 

box 

was 

gone.

They're funny that way.

When they know what they like,

they just want it...

and want it....

and want it!

Does anyone else have that problem?

Your kids never do that!!!!????

Well my goodness, 

sounds like you better give me some advice then, 

won't you?

 I was asked by the good folks at Pop-Tarts®

to create a recipe using these very Pop-Tarts®. 

I was in the mood for a little crafty cooking fun so my kids and I made these cute little.....

Thankful Houses.

What makes them thankful?

Well, while we were building and constructing and candy sampling and decorating, we chatted about the things we were thankful for.

Then we wrote the things down on some little tags, put the tags on some toothpicks and stuck them all around the little houses.

It was pretty cute to see the things they came up with.

"Light Saber"

and 

"Candy"

were both represented.

(both extremely loved and extremely important...) 

We had a fun time!

I think you will too!

 If you would like a chance to win
$100 Visa Gift Card from  BlogHer, 
leave me a comment below telling me the thing you are

most grateful for this November. 
Be sure to leave your email address as well.

For a second opportunity to win...
1. Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)
2. Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)
3. Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.


There will also be a second opportunity to enter next week. Watch for another Pop-Tarts post that will include a video my family and I put together.

 Pop-Tarts® Thankful House

Time: 2 hours

Yield: 2 houses

Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!
PRINT RECIPE

Royal Icing:

4 C powdered sugar

3 large egg whites

1/2 t cream of tartar

16 Pop-Tarts®

candy for decorating

toothpick 

labels

mini marshmallows

1. Place all ingredients for the Royal Icing in your stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir the mixture around just a bit to incorporate.

3. Mix on medium high, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally to be sure all of the powdered sugar gets incorporated.

4. Continue to mix on high for 7 - 10 minutes. The icing should hold a peak when it is ready.

5. Put the icing into 3 quart sized Ziploc bags. Tie the top with a twist tie, clip a little hole in one of the corners and you are good to go.  Keeping the icing in a ziploc bag really helps to keep it moist.

6. Assemble the walls of your house as pictured above.

7. Cut 2 triangles out to help hold your pitched roof.

8. Carefully place the triangles and the roof on. Slather the edges up with icing. You will need some extra hands to help you hold it up for a couple of minutes, until the icing sets. This icing is really quite magical and sets up very quickly. If your roof doesn't meet at the top, just put pipe some icing in the crack to help seal it up.

9. Decorate your house as desired.

10. Write little thankful tags, stick them on a toothpick and place them around your house. The toothpicks need to be stuck into a marshmallow, or candy pumpkin. Then secure the marshmallow, or pumpkin with some icing.

Enjoy!

Click here to see the 9 other bloggers participating in this review program. They are each giving away a $100 Visa gift card as well.

Lawry's Seasoning and Bakeware Giveaway

 

I recently received the above gift from Lawry's and MyBlogSpark. As you can see there are four different seasoning packets included, as well as a large baking dish. 

I have really enjoyed these products.

The seasoning packets are remarkably good! 

A good seasoning packet can really make dinner

time a lot easier, can't it?

This girl is not opposed to a good collection of seasonings

all brought together in one little pouch.

Watch for tomorrows post, 

I'll be using one of the above packets to 

make a great, easy dinner.

 Lawry's and MyBlogSpark have agreed to send the above package to one of you fine readers.

To enter the give away leave me a comment at the bottom of this post telling me your family's favorite QUICK meal. 

Be sure to leave me your email address within your comment, 

so I have a way to track you down.

The Giveaway will close at 

midnight on Thursday November 4th.

I'll announce the winner on the 

morning of Friday November 5th.

Thanks and have a great day!

My Ultimate Family Vacation

Sponsored By

 Cheerios® is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, your ultimate family vacation. As part of a paid promotion for their “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, Cheerios® is sponsoring my post today about what my ultimate family vacation would be. Read mine and Enter the Sweepstakes for a chance to actually win your own fantasy family trip or one of a bunch of other great prizes.

The Ultimate Family Vacation. What would that look like in my minds eye. We are entering into a new age-phase at my house. I'm not talking about listening to "new age" music. I'm simply stating that....these kids of mine are getting older. We are past the baby stage, so there are no diapers or nursing routines to work into the mix. Eliminating those two things really opens up the possibilities, doesn't it!  I do believe I could come up with some great vacation plans.

Plans that would incorporate a wide range of interests. Our Ultimate Family Vacation might have to be a potpourri of sorts.

A hand full of days spent at Disney Land for the LittleTwinBoys.

(ok, the rest of us would love that, too.) 

A night out to see Wicked or Hairspray for TheParents and TheGirls. 

Some kind of sporting event we would all tolerate while TeenSonMark lived it up.  

(He's really hoping at least one of his twin brothers shows an interest in sports. The rest of us are just a bunch of music nerds....poor kid.)

And of course, the Ultimate Family Vacation would have to include a long stretch of days where nothing was planned. Nothing but time to do what ever suits our fancy. Play a little card game together, wrestle on the floor, dance around to MyHandsomeHusband's piano music, catch some frogs, swim in the lake, and read a good book.

(I like to go light on the frog catching and lake swimming. Heavy on the good book.) I'd want to talk about silly things. Talk about religion. Talk about other matters of importance. Remember about the past. Laugh about embarrassing moments. Laugh about life. Laugh with and about each other.

You see. It would need to be a mix. A mix of planned activities and open, unscheduled time. Time together. Time to really get to know each other better.

Time to talk,

and play, 

and laugh, 

and not answer the phone.   

Don't forget to enter the “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, for a chance to win your own ultimate family vacation. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.