Reviews & Sponsors

Minted; A Wonderful Online Shop: A Review

Disclosure: I have been compensated to write this review. However please know that the opinions given are 100% my own!

I have been ahead of the game so far with getting ready for Christmas! How about you? Pretty much all my shopping has been done online and I have to say it's the way to go. Especially if you are someone like me who doesn't like crowded stores, and wasting the time it takes to drive all over the place. Look at the gas you waste too! 

So online shopping is for me, on my lap top, in my recliner ;) Love it! However I do find that sometimes I spend a lot of time just searching through all kinds of sites before I find something I really like. Something that is quality that I would love to gift or have my self. I love it when someone tells me about something great they found online, don't you? That's what I what to do for you today. I want to tell you about Minted.

Minted is a wonderful Designer shopping experience online! Designers from all over the world offer Home Decor, Art, Cards, Paper goods, Party Supplies, Fabrics and more all from independent Artisans! They won the 100 Most Creative People in Business Award for 2014. I'm mostly going to tell you about the Holiday and Christmas Cards Mintedoffers but I did get rather side tracked on their site and loved looking through the wonderful items so beautifully photographed. It took me a while to get through it all! It's all so beautiful!

Minted offers a blog with wonderful designer ideas for parties, DIY's, and more. They are on social media, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter too. 

Ok so on to the cards. The one above is foil embossed, pretty nice right? There are so many to choose from; well over 600! 





Ordering is easy, Minted offers a color variation, photo shapes, and pricing varies throughout.

 

Liners and labels too.

It took only seconds to upload a photo of my grand daughter for this card. 

And a fantastic option.....they will even address your envelopes for you! My gosh that option is for me, I write terribly and my husbands really does not like the task of addressing all those envelopes! Minted made the entire ordering process with easy quick choices. 

I love that the cards are fresh, new takes on old themes, and so pretty. The fonts are fun too. Here are some of my favorites. 

Isn't that fun?!

I haven't seen this design on a Christmas card, have you?

Of course I would LOVE this card! What Grandma wouldn't? I want one each year for each child!

Pretty gold glitter.

Love the chalk board look.

A fun card!

Very elegant.

Casual.

Yes! A year in review of photos please! That's just a tiny selection of the cards I looked through. 

Here's a fabric photo,

Ok totally off track here but I am a bit gaga over these metallic glass ornaments. Yes I will be getting some of these! Ok enough, you need to head over there and have a look for yourself, you won't be sorry you took the time to browse through Minted. Merry Christmas everyone

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Click 'n Dig

Disclosure: I received free of charge one Model F6 of the Click 'n Dig for review purposes. Opinions are completely my own. 

Hold the shopping! You will want to see this before you buy another item on your Christmas list. You know someone who really needs this, will love it, and that person may be you! I'm talking about Click 'n Dig a Smart RF Item Finder. What's that? Well you know how you can't find the remote or your late getting out the door and can't find your keys? Well that won't be a problem anymore with this sweet gadget!

Click 'n Dig works by transmitting waves from the remote transmitter to the receivers. Each receiver has a unique color that matches a button on the transmitter. The receivers are attached to the item you need to find easily, and when lost merely press the color button on the transmitter remote; your tagged lost item will return a beep so you can find it. Sweet right?!

I gathered all the items in the house that seem to grow legs and run off, mainly the remote controls, car keys, and occasionally an unwatched cell phone. 

Then I attached key rings and plate receivers on the items I chose. There is a little plastic tab you pull out of receivers so that battery makes contact to work and that's all you do.

I hung the remote transmitter on the bulletin board. (I love the pretty colors of the buttons)

I was impressed that it had an extra set of batteries too! Wow! 

All you need to do to replace them is remove a little screw. 

We have these 2 itty bitty remotes and as you can see the stick on receivers are large on them but still worked. The size of the remotes is one reason they get lost so easy too. With the receiver attached we will be able to find them when needed.

I really love the way it works! You know I remember sitting around the kitchen table with my family several years ago and we all were talking about how someone need to invent and market this very item and now here it is, all packaged just in time for Christmas too! Well I guess you know what I plan to give a few people on my list. I am practical most times and this is one of those 'practical' gifts people love to get. 

The one I have pictured here is the Model F6; it has 6 receivers. You can also get a Model E4 or 2D to best suit your needs.

Head on over to Click 'n Dig to see the other models, and they have a sale going on right now too! 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Perfect Gift for Grandparents

As a grandparent, I have always planned to write my life stories down someday for my grand kids. Family stories are so wonderful to have and I most certainly love and cherish the oral stories passed down from my grandparents. (It would be so great to have those stories in writing!) But where to start? And what is is interesting about my life?

Well I now have the perfect thing to jump start my memories and stories! Stories From My Grandparent, an Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild has been put together by my blogging friend Susan Adcox.  It is an heirloom journal that asked the questions for you; you just fill in the blanks! Oh it's wonderful and so easy to do! And I really do love that it's spiral bound and lays flat to easily write in. A perfect gift for the grandparent in your life.

I love the questions! Some of the questions (109 pages of them!) I would have never thought of so of course that would be a part of my life I would have forgotten to include if I wrote the memories on my own. It takes you from your beginning,your parents, to your grand childs birth. 

Doesn't that just make you tear up?!

And, you are free to fill in your answers to the question at your own pace. You can skip around and answer the questions you want to as the memories come back to you. What fun is has been to read through the questions and remember the stories to answer them!

Besides the wonderful heirloom personal history that you record inside the pages of this journal, it is a beautiful book. I really love the picture on the hard cover. Give agift that really matters and last! A gift that can be passed down for generation yet to come! And if you are a grandparent, why not give this journal filled in as a gift to your grandchildren? 

Here is the link where you can purchase this wonderful gift journal, Stories From My Grandparent. Yes it is an affiliate link and if you purchase one here I may make a small commission. While I received a free copy of this journal for review purposes the opinions are completely my own. Thank you for supporting this blog.

******************************************************

Radio Flyer Ziggle: A Review

*Disclosure: I received a free Ziggle ride on toy from Radio Flyer for purposes of review. However, the opinions below are completely my own. 

Parents and grand parents, or anyone who wants to buy a ride on toy for their favorite child please read this! You need to get them a Ziggle from Radio Flyer! Oh gosh have we had fun with ours! A Ziggle is a ride on toy that your child will love too. With a twist and wiggle to make it go, it takes only a second or so for them to figure it out and they are off! Then the giggles start! What a wonderful way to get them out side and enjoying the wonderful spring time weather. 

  

When Radio Flyer asked me to review one of their wonderful time cherished toys I was delighted! Radio Flyer is a name you know you can trust and I am sure you have wonderful memories of a Radio Flyer toy somewhere in your childhood memories as I do. Radio Flyer builds quality items that are pure FUN for children.

I was so glad I chose and received this Ziggle from them! It has already made some wonderful memories around here with many many more to come! With the quality of products that Radio Flyer is known for, I am sure grand children yet to be born will be twisting, wiggling, and giggling on this same Ziggle! 

Look at that happy face! I love to get my grand kids outside and this Ziggle will be part of our daily outdoor fun for years to come. The kids breath the fresh air, get some vitamin D sunshine, build muscle and burn off energy riding our Ziggle. It's a great ride on toy for kids age 3-8 yrs old. It has an adjustable seat, four caster wheels, grip tape for feet, padded hand grips, solid steel frame and it can do 360 degree spins!

The kids were good at taking turns riding the Ziggle but now and then one of them would hop on the back of it for an extra ride. It was all fun to them! The Ziggle has a weight capacity of 81 lbs, but my daughter, mother of 2 of the kids you see here just had to take her turn and reported that it was fun for her too. But adults, stay off, kids only please ;) 

You know I really think I need a few more Ziggles, then we could have a Ziggle parade around the neighborhood! Wouldn't that be fun?! I can just imagine it. 

Thank you Radio Flyer! We LOVE our Ziggle!

******************************************************************************

Shirts That Go; A Review

Disclosure: I received a free shirt for review purposes. Opinions are my own.

I received a free shirt from a wonderful online company that specializes in vehicle and transportation shirts; Shirts That Go! And their timing was perfect! Our wonderful Red Firetruck shirt arrived just in time to be worn and loved by our grandson who has moved out of state but was visiting when this shirt arrived. Look at that smile of his, he is happy to be sporting such a beautiful shirt!

I am very pleased with the quality of the shirt and the fit is just as we expected. They have an impressive list to choose and I am sure you have a little guy or girl in your family that has a favorite 'thing that goes' too, and you will find it on a shirt I bet, over at Shirts That Go. It's gift giving season and you will be a winner too with a special shirt for your special person. 

***********************************************************************

Icon Wall Stickers; A Review

*Disclosure: I received free product for purposes of this review. The opinions are completely my own. 

Have you seen Icon Wall Stickers? They are removable stickers that come in about anything you could want for any room in your home and are very trendy right now. There are verses or quotes to choose from, and imagery too. There is something for every room in your home and they come in different sizes and colors! They can be removed easily when you want a change! I have found many I would love for every room in my home. 

Here's a couple of my favorites from Icon Wall Stickers:

A Family Is Forever, or A Good Laugh is Sunshine in a House. For the kitchen,Grandma's Cookies and Milk. Isn't that fun? I love this one of a cat sitting on a tree branch!   How about a dino for the kids room? There are many categories to choose something for everyone, and you will love them! 

(my youngest son is my helper here)

I chose Peace Unto This House, medium size in black. It arrived in a cardboard tube with instructions in a timely manner. You wipe off the wall making sure any dust or grime is removed then you place your sticker with it's backing on the wall. Tape all four corners in place. Next, tape down the center either vertically or horizontally. Rub backing with a credit card to make sure it is adhering well to backing. 

Remove two the taped corners, cut the backing next to the tape down the middle and carefully pull it away. Replace the sticker back into place with taped corners and repeat on the other side. 

Now you are ready to rub the sticker onto the wall. 

Wait a few minutes then remove last of backing. After all the backing is removed, we found that using our finger tips to push it into the crevices worked well on our textured walls to make sure the sticker adhered well. Of course, be sure to follow the instructions that comes with your sticker from Icon Wall Stickers. 

 And here it is, I love it! It took only a few easy minutes to put up and makes such a huge statement to all who enter this home. Thank you Icon Wall Stickers! 

************************************************************************

__________________________________________________________________________

Going from Grumps to Giggles!

I have for you today a review for a wonderful children's book. It is a delightful read and has beautiful fun imaginative art work. Oh my I am taken with this book! Maya reminds me of one of my grand daughters, wild and crazy hair and all! I'm thinking I should give this book to her if I can stand to part with it. The illustrations alone are amazing, the story line wonderful! I think I already said that :) And there's a seasoned Gramma in this book that knows just how to turn around a grumpy girl who got up on the wrong side of the bed. 

What Maya's Gramma can imagine for a fun day would have any child full of giggles and Maya is no exception here. Maya wants everyone to feel grumpy with her, but Gramma skillfully changes the day. Gramma patiently uses fantasy, imagination, and humor to make a grump giggle. This is a wonderful book for any child age 4-8 and would be a wonderful gift from a grandmother too. A super fun and very colorful book.

This book is written and illustrated by Courtney Pippin-Mathur, and is available at many different locations as well as on line.

I have a copy to give away! All you need to do is leave me a comment. Perhaps you would like to tell me about saving the day for you and a grumpy child or tell me about the child you would like to give this book to. You can comment as anonymous if you prefer but be sure to leave your name so I know who you are. This giveaway will be open until March 31. The winner will be announced on April 1st.

Thank you Marissa* and Flashlight Press for this sweet giveaway!

*Disclosure: I received a copy of Maya Was Grumpy for purposes of review and a copy to giveaway. All opinions are my own.

************************************************************************************************

Do You Really Know About Car Seat Safety?

What do you know about car seat safety? Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in children from age 3 to 14 years of age? That is an  unbelievable statistic and yet something we can take a precaution against. I hope you will join me in making sure your precious children are as safe as they can possibly be while riding in a car. Below I have listed some links for you to have a look at but right now I want to tell you about a product that is very helpful to all of us (grandparents too) with new babies. 

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 accommodates the new guide lines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation of staying rear facing for two years.  Graco, the baby gear brand that customers have trusted for 60 years recently introduced the first infant car seat that can keep baby rear facing for two years – it’s the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40, the only true newborn to two years old, four to forty pounds, car seat on the market.  They are 5 times safer rear facing! 

Here's our Itty Bitty in the Graco SnugRide...can you see that other car seat in the background? It is tight against the seat with no leg room. But not the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40, there is room to kick! 

Let me tell you a story…. My oldest grand daughter was born pre-mature and stayed in the hospital for an additional three weeks after mom was released. It was touch and go for a while but the time did come for her to go home; she was going to make it! In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit you learn about dangers to a new born that you never dreamed about! We began to see possible dangers at every turn! 

I waited at my son’s home for him and his wife to arrive from the hospital with that tiny, precious, little bundle full of promise out there in the big world of automobiles! That precious baby had her other grandmother and I to welcome her home; we were excited and yet tense at the same time! You see we needed her to get home safe!

Car seats or booster seats are so important to the safety of our children no matter how big or little they are! With auto crashes at the top of the list for child accidental death, I hope you take your child’s car seat very seriously! If you have a child over the age of one, you probably know that as they grow, car seats can become very uncomfortable for the kids. Their legs are growing and they are all bunched up with the car seat tight against the back seat. Often the children will fuss and cry while riding in the car because they are uncomfortable. Yes I know this from experience! Let me tell you, we grow children tall in our family and often the car seats get turned around to front facing before age two because the child is so large and uncomfortable rear facing; that's not safe!

But I am happy to tell you that the new Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40, allows a child to stay rear facing up to two years old without the discomfort of their legs being all bunched up! It is the only true newborn to two years old, four to forty pounds, car seat on the market. Let me show you how that works right here with two very informative videos.

I have to tell you, I love this car seat! Can you tell? The first thing I learned about it is that I can install it myself! That was a huge deal because the other car seats I have took my fireman son in law almost thirty minutes to install correctly in my tiny compact car. With the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40, it is simple and straight forward to install; no major muscle needed! 

Once the base is in, all you need to do is sit the carrier on to the base, be sure you hear a good click, and you are ready for your baby to go for a ride.

When adjusting the straps to the child's size, it was very was easy to do also. The head rest easily adjust to the height of the child’s head and the shoulder straps do not need to be re threaded. Be sure the middle buckle is in the right position and tightened to the proper fit! This car seat will quickly adjust from a reclining position to sitting up too. Then, there is this nice foot rest that you can pull up that also protects your seat from dirty little shoes. All this makes it so easy to use this seat with different sized babies, newborn to two years. (Do you know what a proper fit is and were the buckle should be on your child? Did you know that you should use the correct angle of reclining for your child's age so that the child's air way stays open? Nearly 73% of child restraints are not installed or used correctly.)

Many grandparents are the primary caregivers (as I am) for babies, and yet they are not knowledgeable of updated safety guidelines (because they change so frequently), including the AAP’s rear facing regulation. 

Look at this handsome guy! See where his feet are?

In our family among our adult children, we have nurses, an orthopedic technician, elementary school teachers, and a fireman. Between them there is a lot of knowledge about safety and dangers for kids. While they are all up to date with the latest information, sometimes it doesn't get passed down to this grandmother. I must be responsible for educating myself and not rely on them to pass on that valuable info. I hope you too will research on your own and learn about the dangers as well as key safety issues while children are riding in your car.

Photo courtesy of www.Graco.com. What a good looking car seat! Very sturdy, great quality too! 

One more thing I would like to tell you about the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 is that while you can purchase additional bases to go in grandma and grandpa's car, you can also purchase a stroller that the carrier snaps or clicks into. With this stroller as the base for the carrier part of the car seat, they can quickly and easily go from car to the stroller. 

I placed this car seat into three different vehicles to check on the installation process and fit of each. I have to tell you that while this car seat fit perfectly in an SUV and a mini van, it did not work so well in my Hyundai Elantra, a very small vehicle. When the car seat is adjusted to fit the larger child, it required the front passenger seat to be push way forward. It is doubtful that any adult in my family could comfortably sit there; we are all tall. Yet the car seat did fit in the back, rear facing. 

Yes I am a safety nut, I can imagine all sorts of hidden dangers everywhere; and while only a small percentage of possible dangers ever actually happen, there is no reason you cannot keep your children as safe as possible while riding in a vehicle. Are you convinced? Are you going to check out the links and take time to be educated about car seat safety?  Okay, let me hear about it! I love my new SnugRide Click Connect 40  from Graco, a trusted provider of baby gear for over 60 years, and so do my grand babies and their parents! Now we just need a new crop of babies around here ;) 

 * Disclosure: I received a Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 for purposes of this review; but the opinions and information given are completely my own! I AM NOT a car seat safety expert! Please check your states laws and regulations and be sure to follow your car seat owner's manual to make sure your car seat is installed correctly. Many states have car seat safety check events or places you can go to to have a professional make sure it is installed correctly. Call your local car seat merchant or look online to find one.

***********************************************************************************************

Choosing Eyeglasses Online

Sponsored Post

I have worn eyeglasses since I was a kid. I wore contacts lens for a lot of years but as I have grown older glasses are just more comfortable to wear than contact lenses. And these days, glasses are really a fashion statement too. But with the high cost of purchasing eye glasses, it’s not all that affordable to have more than one pair.  I recently found out about GlassesUSA.com, an online glasses company that offers very affordable and very fashionable glasses.

Before you think that you would never want to order glasses online; think again! Actually it is really easy to order at GlassesUsa.com, and should you need additional help, it is available through email or with a phone call to an 800 number, as well as a helpful FAQ page. I spent some time at Glasses USA.com and played around with their different options for choosing a frame as well as the checking out the ordering process. There are a few different ways to find the perfect online eyeglasses at GlassesUSA.com such as the option ‘Find Your Perfect Frame’ where you enter information about your glasses needs then all the possible options are given to you; but the option I really loved would have to be their ‘Try Before You Buy’ virtual mirror! Oh my goodness was that fun! I simply uploaded a photo of myself then with a click I choose different frames to try on. You can easily adjust your photo size to the glasses and move the eyeglasses to sit them perfectly on your face. 

Besides their high quality frames and lenses, they offer a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program. Additionally, you can stay up-to-date on all GlassesUSA.com happenings through their Facebook page and on Twitter. 

Take 15% off your entire order amount + FREE shipping (orders over $50). Code: FS15

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

Well, you can see I had some fun with all the different frames types, styles and colors to choose from and these are only a few of the ones I tired on with virtual mirror! What do you think? Which ones do you think look the best? Maybe I'll pick a few more....

* Disclosure; while this is a sponsored post from GlassesUSA.com, the words and opinions are my own.

*******************************************************************************

Hallmark, Helping You With the Holidays

Christmas is coming fast and already my grand kids are talking about their Christmas wish list. I have a wonderful way to help my grand kids count down the days until Christmas this year courtesy of Hallmark. Hallmark is a trusted and well known maker of wonderful Holiday items including greeting cards. I want to tell you about two ways to help make the Holidays fun for your families from Hallmark this Holiday season.

The first is an interactive Wish List Greeting Card that your child can record their Holidcy wish list into.  With a couple of easy steps, your child can tell Santa what they would love to receive from him and this card will record it all. How fun would that be for the kids?

The second is also interactive; a Greeting Card that digitally counts down the days until Christmas. With a few simple instructions to follow, the time and date are set. How many days remaining until Christmas will be displayed displayed in the digital window.

You need to watch this video for some great information about these interactive Greeting Cards.

Hallmark’s Signature Collection is always sophisticated and classy, a true quality product we know Hallmark provides. The Signature Collection has wonderful new designs to celebrate the seasons best, and a Hallmark card from you will let your family and friends know you care.

*Disclosure: I received Hallmark Greeting Cards free for review. The opinions are completely my own.

*******************************************************************

I recently received a children's music CD, "Can't Help but Love You, Baby" by Montreal singer/song writer Karen Potje. This is a Parent's Choice recommendation for children, so I was delighted to listen to it with my Grand kids. Incorporating music into our days is something I try to make happen if only for the sole purpose of getting them to burn off some energy. One day I put on Jazz, the next Classical or Rock and encourage them to dance, often from the comfort of my recliner :) But the kids really love having music that's all about them and what they think about. "Can't Help but Love You, Baby" is just that.

This CD is a delightful collection of 14 songs for kids and grownups, I might add. It's lively music for all who love to dance and sing with their kids. The songs are quirky, catchy, clever and tuneful. Your kids will love the lyrics and you'll love the fact that this is a kids' CD you can enjoy yourself!

Karen is accompanied by some of Montreal's finest musicians on these tunes.  "Can't Help but Love You, Baby" brings you a mix of country and jazz with a bit of rock and roll and cha-cha thrown in for fun. Listen to this really cute one about Garbage Day.

You can find out more about Karen and this album at www.Karenpotje.com or email her at potje(at)gmail.com. 

* Disclosure* I received this album free for review purposes.

******************************************************************************************

I See Me! is a wonderful online company that specializes in personalized children’s books and gifts. When they asked me to do a review for them I was delighted! You see I had a very special day coming up for my youngest granddaughter; her adoption day!

              I See Me books have recently been featured on the Today Show, www.babble.com , www.babycenter.com  and more. Their books have become popular among celebrities including Courtney Cox, Brooke Shields, Jessica Alba and Rachel Zoe. Rachel Zoe was just photographed reading our "Who Loves Me?" book in Life & Style magazine August 2012 issue (p. 13)! Also, their books are carried by upscale retailers such as Pottery Barn Kids, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and more.

             As well as books, they have a variety of items you can choose from such as blankets, puzzles, placemats and other items that all can be personalized.  There are gifts for babys, toddlers, boys and girls. Need a unique gift for a boy? How about this set,  “My Very Own Pirate Tale” book that comes with a bandana that has “Cap’n” and your child’s name embroidered on it? That would be a hit for sure! One book for girls is called “The Super Incredible Big Sister!” and comes with a metal to wear. Hmmm, I think I need to get that one too. There are also iPad apps available of some books.

             The book I received for review is titled “Who Loves Me?” but they have many books and titles available. I had it personalized just for Itty Bitty and her big day of course! The process of ordering was very simple, I only needed to answer a few questions and give names and dates I wanted to include in the book.  The dedication to her inside the book includes her full name and birthdate, and Happy Adoption Day! from Gramma Connie and Papa John. Each page from the first to the last has the name of a family member who loves her. Watch a video tour here.

             When the book arrived I examined it very carefully and I must say I shed a couple of tears too as I thought about how much this little child has blessed us! I’m a sentimental mushy kind of Grandma you see! This book has helped me show her how we all feel about her. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and unique; and it was the perfect gift for my special little one and her very special day! I had a hard time containing my excitement over the gift and almost gave it to her a head of time!

          Check them out at http://www.iseeme.com.

          They are on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ISeeMeBooks ; ‘like’ them to receive info about special offers. On Twitter you will find them here,  http://twitter.com/#!/ISeeMe_Maia. They are on Pinterest too,  http://pinterest.com/iseemebooks/  I know you will love your I See Me! Books as much as I do!

Use this coupon code"myfairytale" to save 10% off any purchases over $40 at I See Me!  Good until 9/30/2012. 

Disclosure* I received a free book for review, the opinions and views are completely my own.

*****************************************************************



Baby Brezza is a one-step baby food maker that I have been asked to review.  When it arrived I was happy right away because not only is this appliance attractive, it is small as well. I won’t mind it siting out on my counter in my small kitchen at all.  A recipe book comes with the Baby Brezza  and has many different food ideas including fresh and frozen foods.  There are simple recipes including meats and grains as well.

I decided to try carrots as my first trial run but there are many food items you can use with it. I measured the water called for on the side of the Baby Brezza bowl, poured it into the steam tank, and then sliced two carrots adding them to the bowl. The first thing I noticed were the little suction feet on the back that kept it from sliding around while I attached the bowl. With the lid on and the bowl in place on the base, I simply chose the desired cooking time that the instructions recommended. All I needed to do now was to wait for this sweet little machine to do the rest. I went about my day and before I knew it I heard a ding and then the blending action began for a few seconds.  As easy as that I had steamed and pureed carrots!

The bowl holds up to two cups of raw foods and you can choose the blend only option if you would like to use this as a small blender. If you only want to steam foods you can do that too and it works for reheating and defrosting as well. The bowl attaches and removes easily and there is hardly anything to clean; most of the parts are dishwasher safe.  I have to tell you I intended to pass this baby food maker on to one of my kids after I reviewed it but I’m thinking I will be keeping it for myself! There are plenty of times I could use it around here.  

When I was a young mother I wanted to make all of my own baby foods so I knew my children were eating nutritiously but the hassle of preparing storing and then defrosting and reheating often found me reaching for store bought foods.  With Baby Brezza I can just imagine that you can make baby’s meals as you are making dinner for the rest of your family without any extra trouble at all. Just add ingredients and let it process while you do other dinner chores.

Here you can find a demo for this wonderful product, then while you are there check out the other really nice mealtime appliances they have for baby. Mom's you will want one of these; and it would make an excellent shower gift. At a retail price of $99 it is well worth the savings you will receive making your own hassle free baby foods.

I was fully prepared to give you a list of things I didn’t like about the Baby Brezza but I don’t have one thing to list except that I wish I had one to give you!

*Disclosure:  I received this product free for review. Opinions are my own.

*********************************************************************************************************

Grand Children; Our Hopes and Dreams
Guest Post by Sally Kabak


I met a wonderful grandmother online who is the writer of the blog Raising Grandchildren. She lives with her husband in New Zealand after moving there to care for her precious grand child. Imagine if you can, what it would be like to be in the situation that not only asked of you to take custody of a grand child but also to move to another country to do so. Could you do it? Sally Kabak did; and looking for support with other grandparents raising their grandchildren she began a website that is full of resources, and has successfully published a book all about raising grandchildren. Please enjoy the rest of this post written by Sally.

My husband Norman is an American and I’m a New Zealander. In 1997 I moved countries to be with him, we first lived in Washington Heights in a rather small one bedroom apartment. Never having lived before in such a confined space we decided to purchase a small cottage. Early 2003 we moved to Hudson, New York where we had hoped to spend our retirement years.

January 2007 we received a call from Child, Youth and Family, a Government Department in New Zealand. They informed us that our granddaughter (Lucy) had swallowed a very small camera battery and that she was in hospital. The acid had leaked into her oesophagus as her mother, my daughter, had left it for three days before taking her to the doctor. Lucy was admitted to hospital, and the battery was successfully removed. Thankfully Lucy has not suffered any ill effects from this dreadful experience.

We attended a Family Group Conference in a small city in New Zealand in April 2007. It was declared that Lucy was in need of care and protection for at least a period of six months while my daughter got the help that she needed.

It soon became apparent that my daughter was not going to seek the treatment that she needed. We went back to Hudson, packed up our things and return to live in New Zealand. We first lived in a hotel; eventually found an apartment which we rented for nearly four years. Last year we purchased a small 3 bedroom house with glorious harbour views. We promised Lucy that when we moved we would get a Labrador. Samantha Jan came to live with us for a brief period, it became too much for me, as I was the only one taking her for walks. She went to a loving in home in Christchurch and shortly after she left we got a cat that we named ‘Woof.’ He is a very important member of our small family and very much loved by us.

When Lucy first came to us Norman and I joined a grandparents group hoping for support.  The group meet once a month, however it wasn’t working for us. There was no support from anyone between each meeting. I started a blog in 2009, http://www.raisinggrandchildren.net.nz which became an instant success. 2010 Grand Magazine of the United States named it as one of the top ten blogs in the world and the only international one to achieve the honour. The same year, North and South Magazine, a well-respected magazine in New Zealand named me New Zealander of the Year for Community. Shortly after I commenced blogging I started an online Face Book group for other grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. For a while it was an open group; however because of the nature of the subjects discussed it became a closed group. Now everyone is much more comfortable speaking about what is happening in their lives.

I am amazed at the support that I get, not just through the face book group, but from the wonderful people that I’ve meet online. Connie, who I have recently connected with, is one that I can lean on in time of need as is Lisa Carpenter of Grandma’s Briefs. Without their support and understanding my task in raising a now 7 year old granddaughter would be so much harder. I thank them very much for their wonderful support and guidance, you are indeed very special people, and I am blessed to have you in my life.

A couple of years ago I decided to try my hand at writing a book. Thought carefully about what topic I was going to write about. The first idea was to write about the tragic story of my daughter; it did occur to me that perhaps it would not be of interest to anyone else. In the end decided to incorporate some of her story along with various topics that perhaps grandparents may need information on. Times have changed since raising my own children. The book ‘Grandchildren, Our Hopes and Dreams: A Modern and Practical Guide to Raising Grandchildren,’ covers topics ranging from water safety, teen texting, helpful hints, poetry, recommended books just to name a few. My book would also suit parents as the topics are very relevant for them as well.

Susan Adcox of About.com/grandparenting which is owned by The New York Times recently reviewed my book, to read what she has to say, please click on the link http://grandparents.about.com/od/booksaboutgrandparenting/fr/Grandchildren_Our_Hopes_and_Dreams.htm

If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, below is a list of online sites that are stocking it:

http://www.xlibris.co.nz

http://www.xlibris.com

http://www.itunes.apple.com

http://www.amazon.com

http://barnesandnobles.com

However, if you would like to place an order direct with me, please use the following email address: admin@raisinggrandchildren.net.nz

*******************************************************************************




*******************************************************************************

I have a confession to make. I totally blew it this last Christmas! I didn’t plan well and became over busy with the wrong things. Soon I realized I was helplessly behind and would never get it all done (the handmade gifts, the homemade food baskets, the homemade cinnamon rolls for everyone’s Christmas morning, etc) in time for Christmas. I didn’t even get my Christmas cards out! And then to top it off, I came down with a stomach virus the day before Christmas and ended up not being able to participate in any of the grandkids Christmas day! I was so upset I actually went to bed and cried!

I never ever want to have a Christmas like that again! NEVER! I had to take a step back and have a look at what tripped me up and what I could do about it for the future. I’ve been having a lot of scheduling issues, feeling over whelmed a lot, and not getting my projects and cleaning done like I want to. I decided it must be a time management issue; I’m actually very good at time management but as I carefully thought about my days I realized that I went from working very part time to increasing my work hours and adding about 30 hours a week of childcare for the grandkids to my schedule in a very short time. I also hand make all the kids gifts for their birthdays and Christmas. And! I became a blogger. What was routine and second nature to me no longer worked with the increased activity added to each day. I needed to make every minute count!

I checked some time managment and organizational books out at the library but found that I was rarely getting past the first chapter; I didn’t have time for all that info! Too wordy, not specific enough, and really the books weren’t helping me at all. I read up on organizing online, but that wasn't the issue either. Then I came across the ebook Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews. 

Tell Your Time is short, I loved that! It was to the point, direct and clear, and it has work sheets to help you find what you need to schedule into each day. She gives you an example of her own schedule so you can see how it all works for her. But what I loved the most about her ebook is that she helps you not only schedule your duties and activities throughout the day, but she shows you how to make sure you are planning into each day the things that are the most important to you and your life. And this is what I had forgotten to include in my days! I know I hate it when the week is over and all I can remember are the dishes I washed, the messes I cleaned up, the paperwork, etc, etc, and I don’t feel I actually lived my life in a way that was satisfying.

Get your copy of Amy’s ebook right here* and start your new organized life that you are in control of today. Oh and did I say it is very inexpensive too? You know me, I like a bargain and this ebook is a good one. It’s also available for Kindle and Nook.

P.S. That blue green box in the left column there that says 'manage your schedule, live free'? That's a link to get the book too, it's always in my left column just in case you look for this post again wanting more info and don't find it :)

*Disclosure: I became an affiliate marketer for Tell Your Time after I purchased and read my own copy of Amy's ebook and as such will make a commision from each copy sold when one is purchased by clicking through from my site. However, the review is my own opinion.