Tassimo Home Brewing System by Bosch Giveaway

I have a lot of things on my plate. I work two, part-time jobs, I blog, do volunteer work and juggle my children’s sports practices, games, therapy and Scouting activities. I do the laundry, occasionally cook a meal and try my best to keep the house clean . Also, I don’t sleep.

Because I am so busy, I like to be efficient. That means keeping lists (lots of them) and multi-tasking. If I’m on a conference call, I will also be emptying the dishwasher. If I’m sitting in the waiting room at the dentist’s office, I will type a blog post. (This one is brought to you between kid #1’s cleaning and kid #2’s sealants.)

Many years ago, my BFF showed me a new coffee maker she had purchased. It was one of the first single-cup, coffee makers on the market. I was amazed at how she had a steaming, hot cup of coffee ready in seconds, but it seemed too extravagant for me. She has, for nearly a decade, told me that I’m crazy for not owning one.  There is no need to multi-task when you only have to wait about a minute for your coffee.

Now, let’s fast forward to 2009, when my mom purchased a single-cup, coffee maker. This made sense to me. For a single woman, who doesn’t need to make a full pot of coffee, it seemed ideal. Even though I frequently made myself a cup of tea or coffee (and an occasional hot chocolate) when I was visiting her, I still never considered buying one for myself.

When this winter rolled around, I started doing what I always do at this time of year. I retrieved my kettle from its storage shelf so that I could enjoy my green tea, or chai lattes in the evening and more than a few times, I have hit the local coffeehouse for a cup of hot goodness to warm me in the afternoon as I wait for the kids to get out of school.

But, there are a lot of times I boil water, put my tea bag in, then walk away to accomplish a task while it’s soaking, only to return an hour later to find a cold cup of strong tea. Plus, having coffee made by a barista isn’t exactly cheap.  No matter how good my coffee is, it never gets easier to fork out $3.15 for a cup of it. 

So, when Tassimo asked me if I would like to try their Home Brewing System by Bosch, I jumped at the chance. I had heard nothing but good things from my BFF and my mom about having a hot drink ready in seconds. Really, they have done nothing but rave about it.

I hate it when they’re right.

The Tassimo T20 lets you have the drink of your choice in no time at all. It’s so easy that the kids can make their own hot chocolate and I haven’t stopped at the local coffee shop one time since I received it. My husband can enjoy a cup of dark roast, while I enjoy a milder blend and both of us will be sipping away long before our traditional coffee pot would have started dripping.

And, if cappuccino or espresso is your thing, this mighty, little machine can make that too.  To be exact, there are over 40 different beverage and flavor varieties (which, technically, makes my new coffee maker the most diverse single-cupper on the market.  Just sayin'.)

As much as I don't want to say that my BFF told me so (and has been telling me so for years), I’m going to have to admit it. My Tassimo makes me more efficient. I love it.

And, the best part is that Tassimo wants to give one lucky reader a chance to love it too!

To enter for a chance to win your own Tassimo T20:

1. Leave a comment on this post (make sure you have a valid e-mail address so I can contact you if you win).
2. Tweet a link to this contest and leave your tweet URL in a comment here.
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave your blog URL in a comment here.

This contest is open to US residents and ends at 6:00pm EST on 1/7/11.

**Congratulations, Mandibone!  You are the winner!**

Sparkling Memories

This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and Welch's.

My daughter was born premature on December 29, 1998.  She weighed just 2.5 pounds and because she was so fragile, I wasn't able to hold her in my arms until she was off her respirator two days later.  It was New Year's Eve.  When I held her that afternoon, I knew the holiday would forever be linked with an amazing memory of cradling my baby for the first time.

Later that night, as the clock approached midnight in the pediatric intensive care unit, my husband and I stood next to our tiny daughter.  We were the only parents on the floor.  As the nurses quietly rang in the New Year at the nurse's station, my husband and I each reached in and put one hand on our newborn child.  In the other hand, each of us held a glass of sparkling grape juice.  When the countdown to 1999 was complete, we toasted to our little girl.

Every year since then, New Year's Eve has been a very special celebration for our family.  We make dinner together, then sit down at a candlelit table.  There are usually a couple of lobsters, some steak, veggies, homemade rolls...and there is always a bottle of Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice. 

In 2002, we had a son who was also premature.  So now, on New Year's Eve, while the adults are sipping champagne, the two kids have fun drinking bubbly juice from Welch's in fancy glasses.  We toast to both of them, always remembering the first time we shared this holiday as a family.


That's my preemie.  She's not so little any more!

They love the taste!  And, the bubbles!  I love the memories.

Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice has been helping us celebrate our good fortune for a long time and now BlogHer wants to help you celebrate the holidays by giving one lucky commenter a $100 Visa giftcard!

For a chance to win, simply check out the following drink recipes, leave a comment on this post and tell me which one you would like your family to try (if you don't sign in with an account, please make sure to leave me a valid e-mail address).

Personally, I like the Sparkling Cranberry Spritzer, because bubbles and cherries!  Oh my! 

Holiday Toasting Cup

Spiced Grape Punch

Sparkling Cranberry Spritzer

After you leave your comment, be sure to check out the eleven other bloggers' holiday stories for more chances to win!

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) Click this link and provide your email address and your response to the sweepstakes prompt

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.

For Official Rules click here.  Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 31, 2010.

Good luck and happy holidays from BlogHer, Welch's and me!

Heal Thyself

In early 1999, just after my daughter was born 10 weeks premature, I learned a lot of new words. The hospital has a lingo all its own and when you have a baby in the NICU you get a crash course in anatomy, ailments, monitors and medicine. To be completely honest, before our daughter came along we didn't even know that NICU stood for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

It was there where we learned how to take care of our tiny, new arrival. The nurses taught us what to do if her breathing slowed and they showed us how to touch her with firm hands because being gentle startled her.

The NICU is full of science and full of caring. It was where I saw my daughter being tube-fed and it is where I held her skin-to-skin because I was told it would help her grow. It is a place of delicate balance.

It was in the NICU that I first heard of Aquaphor.

I arrived at the hospital one day to find a small jar with a pharmacy label on it. My daughter had been prescribed a mixture of Aquaphor and Maalox to treat her very first diaper rash.

Let's just say that it wasn't the only time we used that jar. My little girl was famous for her middle of the night, up the back poops. She didn't just get a red bottom, but rather a red area stretching from her diaper to her neck.

Now, more than a decade later, I am working in the cafeteria at my kids' school. I never thought I would wash my hands more than I did when my daughter was in the hospital, but there is something about preparing food for hundreds of children that makes you want to keep your hands clean.

During the school year, especially throughout winter, my hands are more red and cracked than my daughter's rear-end ever was.

When Eucerin contacted me and asked if I would like to try one of their products, I jumped at the chance to sample their Healing Ointment. This would also be when I slapped myself in the forehead, because I hadn't thought of using it for my dry, chapped hands.

For the past week I have been putting the Healing Ointment on my hands and feet before I go to bed. In order to get the most out of the product, I have been wearing socks and gloves. I know that seems extreme, but you haven't seen my dry skin.

And, you know what? You won't see it. I now have the smoothest skin I can ever remember. After years of spending a lot of money on pricey lotions, it took a week of Aquaphor and some old gloves to heal me.

The generous folks at Eucerin want to heal your skin too. They have asked me to choose two lucky readers to receive an Aquaphor Wonder Set, valued at $33.00, which includes the following:
Aquaphor Lip Repair: Aquaphor Lip Repair effectively relieves dryness and soothes chapped lips so you can smile comfortably. Provides immediate and long-lasting relief for dry lips, seals in moisture and prevents dryness. Fragrance-free, preservative-free, dye-free and appropriate for sensitive lips.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment: Protects extremely dry, chapped, cracked or irritated skin and helps enhance the skin’s natural healing process. The multi-purpose ointment is safe to use on babies’ sensitive skin; it relieves chapped cheeks, treats diaper rash and relieves dry skin associated with eczema.

Aquaphor Gentle Wash & Shampoo: A convenient cleanser that gently cleanses both skin and hair. Enriched with soothing chamomile and provitamin B5, it is specially designed to be gentle for baby’s sensitive skin. Soap-free, fragrance-free, tear-free and pediatrician recommended.
To enter, leave a comment on this post (please provide a valid e-mail address) before noon EST on Friday, October 8, 2010. For an extra entry just tweet a link to this page (add @Momofali to your tweet).
Good luck and happy healing!

*UPDATE*  Congratulations to Amy and Shelly!  Your Aquaphor will be shipped soon!  Enjoy!

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too

I make ugly cakes. No, really. I once made my husband a camouflage cake and it wasn't even on purpose. My cakes are notoriously hideous. I am including proof.

This is a cake I made for my husband. Note that after I wrote his name, I wanted to use up the rest of the icing so I made little flowers around the edges. That is my M.O., as are the flecks of cake which you can see through the icing around the candles. The mismatched candles.

This is another birthday cake I made for my husband. I crossed out his name to save him from embarrassment. As you can see, I didn't even attempt to hide the cake I ripped up with icing (on the left side). See how I put three candles on the left and six candles on the right because it was his 36th birthday? I. Am. Brilliant.

This is quite possibly the worst cake ever created. I made this masterpiece for my son's second birthday. See the "2" in each corner? My poor boy took one look at this cake and burst into tears. I can't say I blame him.

As you can see, my husband bears the brunt of my poor decorating skills. I was truly starting to feel sorry for him, so this year I turned to a professional. Krazy Kakes is a family-owned, Columbus business and I clearly needed their help.

I told the cake designer that I wanted a small cake and that my husband is a huge fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Have you ever seen a Buckeye helmet?

Now, look at the cake.

Isn't that awesome? I was way impressed with the colors and the design. Here's the cake with Brutus on top.

Even cooler, right? My husband loved the look, we all loved the taste and those candy Buckeyes didn't last much longer than a minute.

This is all that was left when we were through.

The good news? I will never make another hideous cake. The better news? You have a chance to win a Krazy Kake!

Krazy Kakes is offering one lucky winner a free cake! It can be circle, square, hexagon, or oval, can feed about 8-10 people and can be any flavor of cake and frosting. Your cake can also be covered in fondant if you want something fancy.

Just leave a comment on this post (with a valid e-mail address, please, so I can contact you if you're the winner) before Friday, May 7, 2010 at noon EST and you will be entered to win. The winner must redeem this offer before May 7, 2011. You must live within 20 miles of Columbus, Ohio to be eligible to win.

People, if your cakes look anything remotely like mine, you should enter this drawing. Your family will thank you.

Update: Congratulations to Christina (comment #1)! You are the lucky winner! Enjoy your cake!

The Gift of Happy

We are heading into the time of year when my bulletin board is running out of tacks and my day-planner is so stuffed with lists, invitations and recipes that I can't even shut the cover. Welcome to the holidays, folks.

But, no matter how crazy things get, I always try to stop and reflect before I walk out the door each day. Which is why this hangs in our back hallway. To remind myself, and my children, that no matter what you're going through and no matter what you're dealing with, you will always have your dreams.


This is why I was thrilled to be handed an opportunity of a lifetime last week. My family and I attended the fun-filled world premiere of "The Gift of Happy". This short video was created by retailer, AJWright to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.


Just before the holidays get out of control, we were reminded of our good fortune. We were shown that sometimes corporations really do care about the little guy and that AJWright's campaign to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs inspires the rest of us to do what we can. And, the children, who build success through the Boys & Girls Clubs programs, are learning to follow their dreams.

Please visit WrapUpHappy.com, and watch the video. I'm sure you will enjoy it and when you do, AJWright will donate $1.00 to the Boys & Girls Club of America. That's what you call a win-win!


Speaking of winning...if you view the video and come back here to leave a comment about your viewing experience, you will be entered to win a $50.00 AJWright gift card! That's a win-win-win!

Don't forget to tell me what you thought of the video (and let your kids watch it too...mine really enjoyed the story) and make sure to leave a valid e-mail address with your comment so I can contact you if you're the winner. The deadline for entering is Monday, December 21 at noon EST.

Oh, and look at what I found on the ground of the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus. It seems to me that I needed another reminder to stop, reflect and remember that you always have your dreams. I hope you will help these children achieve theirs.

UPDATE: Congratulations, Kathy! You are the lucky winner! Merry Christmas!

Who Wants More Floor?

When my husband and I bought our house nearly 12 years ago, we did a complete renovation. Walls were torn down, floors were torn up and every single room got a fresh coat of paint...or three.

We were in a hurry to get things done because we hated living with the mess and about four months into the renovation, I got pregnant. That really caused us to speed up the process. As a matter of fact, the last bit of carpet was installed the day before my daughter was born.

Because we felt rushed, we made some mistakes along the way. I chose wallpaper because they had enough rolls in stock, not because I actually liked the pattern and I picked white grout for our kitchen and back entrance, because I didn't consider how quickly a dog and future children would muddy it.

But, by far, the biggest mistake we made was in choosing our flooring. We made bad decisions on the color of carpet, we bought cheap vinyl for our bathrooms and we used contract installers from out of town. If I could rip up those floors and start from scratch I would.

This is one reason that I am so thrilled with the new carpeting in our mudroom. It looks good, it was installed perfectly and the color and texture are just what we needed. You know why? Because it was researched by a trusted Rite Rug employee who steered us in the right direction every step of the process. We also bought an area rug from Rite Rug years ago and it is the only other flooring purchase I'm truly happy with.

And now someone else has the chance for some flooring happy! Rite Rug has generously offered a $199.00 gift certificate to one of my lucky readers! You can use it for the purchase of an area rug, or new bathroom floor, or put it toward new wall-to-wall carpet. The choice is yours!

To enter, first make sure you live near a Rite Rug location. If your home is within the vicinity of a Rite Rug store, just leave a comment here before Friday, November 6th at noon EST. Please leave me a valid e-mail address so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner!

Good luck, everyone!

**UPDATE**

Congratulations to Shelly...AGAIN! Last time, my daughter picked your name out of a hat and this time my son did.

Your Lil' Farmer Will Thank You

Way back when, before my husband and I started our family, we used to dine at fine restaurants. Restaurants with jumbo shrimp appetizers, wine lists and waiters with French accents.

After our daughter was born we took a break from those type of establishments until we felt she was old enough to behave, then we made an attempt to have her join us in the fine-dining arena. As it turns out, those places don't even have high chairs! Nor, do the managers act kind when small children throw knives. Who knew?

Since that experience, and especially since the addition of our son, we have stuck with tried and true, family-friendly facilities. Places with booster seats, crayons and a kid's menu. Bob Evans is our favorite. First of all, because it's a place where we're comfortable taking the kids. Secondly, sausage gravy and biscuits. Enough said.

Right now there's a bonus for you Lancaster, Ohio readers too. Through October 14th, you can get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult-sized entree at the Bob Evans located near River Valley Mall at 2157 Schorrway Drive. There are even some new additions to the kid's menu and they can eat breakfast all day.

And, as if preparing and serving up Plenty-o'-Pancakes wasn't enough, Bob Evans wants one lucky reader to have a $25 gift card!

Just leave a comment here, with a valid e-mail address, between now and Saturday, October 17th at noon EST and I'll enter you in the drawing. Happy eating!

10/19/09 Update: Congratulations to RJRuff! Enjoy your pancakes!

Little Alouette

My youngest child turned seven in May. When he came along, with the exception of a new high chair and a new stroller which were gifts from generous friends, everything he used was a hand-me-down from his big sister.

And when his big sister was born, in 1998, a lot of the things she used were hand-me-down as well. She even had a crib that belonged to one of my nieces...who was born in 1986.

They used those things, because the products on the market weren't much different. At that time, a crib was a crib, a stroller was a stroller and a car seat was a car seat.

In the time since then, however, all these people went and invented super-cool stuff! Which is so not fair, but is completely my luck and, therefore, not surprising in the least.

When my kids were babies, they had teethers and rattles just like every other child does. They were made of colored rubber, or plastic, or who knows what man-made material. There was nothing natural about the stuff my children chewed on.

But now, as my luck would have it, my friend Amy and her husband make the most beautiful, all-natural, wooden teethers. They are carved from Ohio maple, sanded with love in their backyard workshop and finished with organic flax seed oil.

They are pretty to look at and completely safe to bite. My kids totally missed out.

But, your baby or someone you know doesn't have to. Leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner who will receive a lovely wee wood teether from Amy's Little Alouette store.

Someones child is going to be very lucky.

Winner will be chosen, at random, on August 28th at 6:00 PM EST.

8/28 UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO LAURA BENSON!