Yesterday I had something to say. I was being ignored. So I asked to be heard. Heard I was.
But you tell me... how is it when someone says "I have just listened to what you had to say. I heard you and I understood what you said..." it is certain they are about to tell you why what you had to say was of no consequence to them whatsoever?
So yeah, thanks for 'listening'.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
CarolinaPad Giveaway
Ever since I was a little girl I have loved office supplies. Let me loose in an office supply store, or the office supply section of a store, and I am euphoric. Notebooks, pens, folders, sticky notes, oh my! I love them all. One day a friend gave me a couple packages of snazzy envelopes. They were a great little gift for me, since I use lots of envelopes. I did not pay a lot of attention to the manufacturer. It turns out they are from a company called CarolinaPad. CarolinaPad has a wide variety of products which make my little heart flutter.
One day I was on twitter just minding my own business and there was a tweet from CarolinaPad asking for people who would be willing to do a giveaway. Well count me in! Office Supplies are something everyone loves. As you can probably tell from some of my previous giveaways I like unique note pads. I love a notepad big enough to really write in, but sturdy enough to withstand my purse.
Enter the 7"x5" CarolinaPad Pattern Play notebook! I like the giant pastel polka dots. It feels girly. It has a plastic cover, so it will not get raggedy and unsightly. It even has a nice little front insert with a sleeve for holding
stuff I want
to hide from everyone receipts or love notes or the little cloth you use to clean your iPhone. Each page has a perforation, which is thoughtful. The spiral isn't one of those loosey-goosey-snag-your-sweater spirals, either. Last, but not least, especially if you are a tactile freak like me, the paper feels soft and smooth. My pen will glide across this paper like nobody's business. Make me happy? Yes!
They sent me a whole assortment of things, and I will not describe each one of them. I grabbed this little goodie right off the top and was impressed.
Now for the giveaway. The folks at CarolinaPad have been tremedously generous with this one, so get ready. The winner will receive a set of fashion office supplies from the Simply Chic or our Eye Candy collections (winners choice). Value? A whopping $150!
Here are your two choices:
Eye Candy
Simply Chic
Here is how to enter to win:
Go to CarolinaPad and look around. Come back here and tell me which is your favorite design.
Tweet this giveaway. You can do this up to two times a day for up to two entries a day.
Here is one you can use:
If You Could See What I See is hosting a CarolinaPad giveaway for a set of fashion office supplies worth $150! http://tinyurl.com/3d93un
Become a fan of Carolina Pad on Facebook. 1 entry
Join the Carolina Pad Insights Panel. 1 entry
Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter. 1 entry
Follow me on twitter 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger 1 entry per blog
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader 1 entry per subscription
Put my buttons on your blog 2 entries per button
Blog about this giveaway 3 entries
Fave me on technorati 1 entry
Make a drop on my entrecard 1 entry (you may do this daily)
Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding)
***Enter another giveaway for the same prize from my friend Annette at Fairy Blog Motherand you can take another entry. How cool is that?!
*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.
*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.
* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"
*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.
*Prizes will only be shipped to a U.S. address. The giveaway will go through Sunday, June 14th. I will still allow entries until whatever time I actually do the drawing on Monday, June 15th. Good luck!
One day I was on twitter just minding my own business and there was a tweet from CarolinaPad asking for people who would be willing to do a giveaway. Well count me in! Office Supplies are something everyone loves. As you can probably tell from some of my previous giveaways I like unique note pads. I love a notepad big enough to really write in, but sturdy enough to withstand my purse.
Enter the 7"x5" CarolinaPad Pattern Play notebook! I like the giant pastel polka dots. It feels girly. It has a plastic cover, so it will not get raggedy and unsightly. It even has a nice little front insert with a sleeve for holding
stuff I want
They sent me a whole assortment of things, and I will not describe each one of them. I grabbed this little goodie right off the top and was impressed.
Now for the giveaway. The folks at CarolinaPad have been tremedously generous with this one, so get ready. The winner will receive a set of fashion office supplies from the Simply Chic or our Eye Candy collections (winners choice). Value? A whopping $150!
Here are your two choices:
Eye Candy
Simply Chic
Here is how to enter to win:
Go to CarolinaPad and look around. Come back here and tell me which is your favorite design.
Tweet this giveaway. You can do this up to two times a day for up to two entries a day.
Here is one you can use:
If You Could See What I See is hosting a CarolinaPad giveaway for a set of fashion office supplies worth $150! http://tinyurl.com/3d93un
Become a fan of Carolina Pad on Facebook. 1 entry
Join the Carolina Pad Insights Panel. 1 entry
Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter. 1 entry
Follow me on twitter 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger 1 entry per blog
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader 1 entry per subscription
Put my buttons on your blog 2 entries per button
Blog about this giveaway 3 entries
Fave me on technorati 1 entry
Make a drop on my entrecard 1 entry (you may do this daily)
Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding)
***Enter another giveaway for the same prize from my friend Annette at Fairy Blog Motherand you can take another entry. How cool is that?!
*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.
*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.
* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"
*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.
*Prizes will only be shipped to a U.S. address. The giveaway will go through Sunday, June 14th. I will still allow entries until whatever time I actually do the drawing on Monday, June 15th. Good luck!
Monday, May 25, 2009
An Odd Mad Lib To Confuse My Readers
Don't even bother trying to understand. It's really silly. It's an entry into the virtual baby shower giveaway over at Comfort Joy Designs.
Yikes! gasped New Daddy. It was noon and baby was awake for the sixth time today. New Mommy had been quickly washing dishes, but rushed to check on New Baby. "No, no," said New Daddy, who had been relaxing by reading. "I'm always big to help with the baby. I'll go." New Mommy was bright, since this was only the eleventh time that New Daddy had offered to help. In fact, New Daddy was more inclined to snack on salmon, while sitting on the bed, watching The Tudors. New Mommy knew that she should quietly accept, because New Daddy might not offer again!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Interviews With Friends
Beth over at Interviews With Friends asked me to do an interview with her. I did it, and she's just posted it on her blog. She is also running a giveaway to go along with the interview. Go over and enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Leave a comment here on my blog somewhere before you do, because that is her required entry. Be sure to click on the home button and check my sidebar for my giveaways and giveaways from my friends.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Somebody's Mother's Gourmet Dessert Sauce Lucky Winners!
Here are the lucky winners of the Somebody's Mother's Sauces.
Congratulations, You guys are going to go crazy for these!
Congratulations, You guys are going to go crazy for these!
First Place: All three flavors
#78 nape said... Tweeted you today! http://twitter.com/nape9393/status/1743117820Second Place: Chocolate and Caramel Flavors
#159 Alexis AKA MOM said...Now if everyone took this advice: "If at first you don't succeed, do it the way your Mother told you". Mom's life would be so much easier! caramel sauce YUMMY
Third Place: Your choice of any flavor:
#37 Deb K said... My favorite is "What would it take to make your Mom perfect? Diet! You know her hair? I would diet it blue! Too Cute:)Monday, May 18, 2009
Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate Winner
True Random Number Generator Result: 43 Powered by RANDOM.ORG
43. Jacqueline in Atlanta said...
I would love that box of 25 assorted bonbons. I love a good cup of cocoa, too, and I make my own frequently. I am working my way through a stack of recipes. It is not easy to make a good cup of hot chocolate and it is expensive ingredients.
Thanks for having the giveaway!
You are welcome, Jacqueline. Enjoy your delicious cocoa!
43. Jacqueline in Atlanta said...
I would love that box of 25 assorted bonbons. I love a good cup of cocoa, too, and I make my own frequently. I am working my way through a stack of recipes. It is not easy to make a good cup of hot chocolate and it is expensive ingredients.
Thanks for having the giveaway!
You are welcome, Jacqueline. Enjoy your delicious cocoa!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Giveaway
Here it is! Just in time to grill up a storm! Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. You're going to love it. We have had so much cold weather and rain we have not fired up our grill yet, but I used a jar of this sauce in a way which pleased my children. Little smokies in the crock pot smothered in the whole jar, soaking it up all day long. This is one of their favorite things. They always want to have it with mashed potatoes. Usually corn or baked beans is added as a side dish.
Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce did not let us down. Everyone was happy with the taste. It's not spicy like a barbecue sauce. It's a little tangy and a little sweet. It adds flavor perfectly.
Big Al from Country Bob's sent me a couple of bottles to try and he has offered to send two bottles to two of you. All you have to do is fill out the form below.
Where it says "Entry type" here is what you do:
For the first entry you tell me what you would use Country Bob's All Purpose sauce to make.
For any additional entries just tell me what it's for. (Example: twitter id = tammigirl)
Additional entries are for:
Follow tammigirl on twitter and tweet this:
Two people will win 2 bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. Just in time for grilling season! http://tinyurl.com/o5ezb8
You may tweet the message twice a day for up to two entries per day.
Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 3 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry
*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.
Please be certain to claim each entry by filling out the form one time per entry. In the "Entry type" field you can leave the link to your blog if you are taking blog entries, say you tweeted and leave the link or user id etc.
A winner will be chosen Monday, June 1st.
* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"
*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.
Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce did not let us down. Everyone was happy with the taste. It's not spicy like a barbecue sauce. It's a little tangy and a little sweet. It adds flavor perfectly.
Big Al from Country Bob's sent me a couple of bottles to try and he has offered to send two bottles to two of you. All you have to do is fill out the form below.
Where it says "Entry type" here is what you do:
For the first entry you tell me what you would use Country Bob's All Purpose sauce to make.
For any additional entries just tell me what it's for. (Example: twitter id = tammigirl)
Additional entries are for:
Follow tammigirl on twitter and tweet this:
Two people will win 2 bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. Just in time for grilling season! http://tinyurl.com/o5ezb8
You may tweet the message twice a day for up to two entries per day.
Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 3 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry
*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.
Please be certain to claim each entry by filling out the form one time per entry. In the "Entry type" field you can leave the link to your blog if you are taking blog entries, say you tweeted and leave the link or user id etc.
A winner will be chosen Monday, June 1st.
* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"
*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.
Pevonia Botanica Luxury Spa Treatment Giveaway
When I was given the choice to try anything I wanted from the Pevonia Botanica line of products, I jumped at the chance to try the Power Repair youthful lip retinol serum and cream. They came beautifully packaged. I know we aren't supposed to care about such things enough for them to make a difference, but they do. What girl doesn't enjoy getting something elegantly packaged? I always appreciate it.
Once I took the items out of the package I also appreciated the way the bottles looked and worked. The serum, which will be used at home, is in a very attractive glass bottle with a neat-looking pump. The lip cream, which I am more likely to carry with me, is in a lightweight plastic bottle. I feel like whoever made the decisions about these things put a lot of care into it. They make me feel oh-so-feminine.
I am a fan of unscented things, mostly because I find a lot of scents to be unpleasant. I was happily surprised to find these scented in a lovely way. Scent is usually something I tolerate. I was a nice change to have a scent I appreciate.
I made an inquiry about the length of time I would need to use the lip products to see the full effects. The response was three to four weeks. I like the way these two items work. In the past was using a product on my lips which exfoliated them and left them very smooth. For a day or two. I stopped using it while I tested these products. I haven't needed to use it since. To me, this says it all. I have no need to harshly exfoliate (2-3 times a week with a product advising use only once a week) now that I have this Pevonia Botanica Power Repair youthful lip set. It also helped those fine lines around the lips. Not that I had them. Besides, even if I did have them, you can not see them now.Pevonia Botanica has generously offered a giveaway to my readers. Tropicale De-Aging line with a Papaya-Pineapple fragrance. This set is valued at over $80.
Here is what is included:
De-Aging Saltmousse- This aromatic De-Aging Saltmousse Papaya-Pineapple delivers an aroma-sensory experience. Its fluffy lather removes impurities and toxins by gently polishing your skin. As the salt dissolves, negative ions and repairing tropical fruit extracts are quickly absorbed. Your body emerges velvety-smooth. Ideal for all skin types.
De-Aging Mist - Awaken and infuse your skin with a refreshing boost of hydration any time. Deeply moisturizing, De-Aging Mist Papaya-Pineapple replenishes your skin with an aromatic blend of tropical fruits including Pomegranate, combined with Hyaluro Acid, Aloe, Chamomile, and other natural ingredients. Ideal for all skin types.
De-Aging Body Balm- Seductively rich and creamy, the De-Aging Balm Papaya-Pineapple awakens the senses with its delightful aroma and silky texture. Formulated with Microemulsified Shea Butter, it is also enriched with Collagen and Elastin Polypeptides, Tegoshperes with Retinol, Pomegranate, and other anti-aging tropical fruit extracts. Your skin is wonderfully replenished and visibly repaired. Ideal for all skin types.
This, too, comes beautifully gift packaged.
Entry Rules:
Required Entry: go and find out what is reccomended for you. Come back here and share the name of a product which was reccomended for you.
Extra Entries:
Follow Pevonia Botanica on twitter and tweet this message:
Giveaway! Pevonia Botanica has an amazing array of lovely products. Win: Tropicale De-aging set worth over $80. http://tinyurl.com/plo2bt RT
You may tweet the message twice a day for up to two entries per day.
Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to this blog - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 3 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry
*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.
Please be certain to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn.
A winner will be chosen Monday, June 1st.
* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"
*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.
Once I took the items out of the package I also appreciated the way the bottles looked and worked. The serum, which will be used at home, is in a very attractive glass bottle with a neat-looking pump. The lip cream, which I am more likely to carry with me, is in a lightweight plastic bottle. I feel like whoever made the decisions about these things put a lot of care into it. They make me feel oh-so-feminine.
I am a fan of unscented things, mostly because I find a lot of scents to be unpleasant. I was happily surprised to find these scented in a lovely way. Scent is usually something I tolerate. I was a nice change to have a scent I appreciate.
I made an inquiry about the length of time I would need to use the lip products to see the full effects. The response was three to four weeks. I like the way these two items work. In the past was using a product on my lips which exfoliated them and left them very smooth. For a day or two. I stopped using it while I tested these products. I haven't needed to use it since. To me, this says it all. I have no need to harshly exfoliate (2-3 times a week with a product advising use only once a week) now that I have this Pevonia Botanica Power Repair youthful lip set. It also helped those fine lines around the lips. Not that I had them. Besides, even if I did have them, you can not see them now.Pevonia Botanica has generously offered a giveaway to my readers. Tropicale De-Aging line with a Papaya-Pineapple fragrance. This set is valued at over $80.
Here is what is included:
De-Aging Saltmousse- This aromatic De-Aging Saltmousse Papaya-Pineapple delivers an aroma-sensory experience. Its fluffy lather removes impurities and toxins by gently polishing your skin. As the salt dissolves, negative ions and repairing tropical fruit extracts are quickly absorbed. Your body emerges velvety-smooth. Ideal for all skin types.
De-Aging Mist - Awaken and infuse your skin with a refreshing boost of hydration any time. Deeply moisturizing, De-Aging Mist Papaya-Pineapple replenishes your skin with an aromatic blend of tropical fruits including Pomegranate, combined with Hyaluro Acid, Aloe, Chamomile, and other natural ingredients. Ideal for all skin types.
De-Aging Body Balm- Seductively rich and creamy, the De-Aging Balm Papaya-Pineapple awakens the senses with its delightful aroma and silky texture. Formulated with Microemulsified Shea Butter, it is also enriched with Collagen and Elastin Polypeptides, Tegoshperes with Retinol, Pomegranate, and other anti-aging tropical fruit extracts. Your skin is wonderfully replenished and visibly repaired. Ideal for all skin types.
This, too, comes beautifully gift packaged.
Entry Rules:
Required Entry: go and find out what is reccomended for you. Come back here and share the name of a product which was reccomended for you.
Extra Entries:
Follow Pevonia Botanica on twitter and tweet this message:
Giveaway! Pevonia Botanica has an amazing array of lovely products. Win: Tropicale De-aging set worth over $80. http://tinyurl.com/plo2bt RT
You may tweet the message twice a day for up to two entries per day.
Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to this blog - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 3 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry
*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.
Please be certain to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn.
A winner will be chosen Monday, June 1st.
* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"
*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Catch That Pepsi Spirit!
This was the back of the van yesterday after hunting for Pepsi Throwback. We also had some down in the store room already. Michael and I decided we would build a wall of Pepsi for Luis in his office. Here is what it looked like when we were done today:
Say hi to Tony Blair, who is at the top of the Pepsi wall looking down at me in this picture. So far we have been to 8 stores, some of them twice. It is unfinished, but we will buy more and finish it soon. Hooray for Pepsi Throwback. Have you ever had a wall of Pepsi? A wall of any product?
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Fool Me Once... And I'll Take Your Picture Next Time
From now on, when a worker comes to my house I am taking his photo. And a close up with his badge. And I'm going outside to his work vehicle to take pictures which include the license plate and the fleet number. This way, when someone like Dino from Time Warner Cable comes around and says he will call back first thing in the morning, and he doesn't, I can not only write about him on my blog, but also include photos. Because you know what? One thing more annoying than a sparsely intermittent internet connection for weeks is thinking it is being lied to by the guy who came to repair it.
Dino, why have you forsaken us? I offered you really good coffee. I apologized for the state of my basement. I tried to tell you the problem wasn't in my house, that it was a neighborhood-wide problem. What did you do? You replaced wires in my house. Okay, they might have needed to be replaced. You did some new outside wiring. Okay, I thought that was likely necessary as well. But then? Did you go do a test out at the pole in my front yard? No. You ran tests and realized the problem was still just as we had described it. Then you said 'they' would be running ping tests overnight and you would call first thing in the morning. You never called.
At 2:30 pm I called Time Warner Cable again. I got put through to four different people. I was told they would get with the field guys (I assume that includes Dino, and people like him) and someone would call me back. My phone rang nearly instantly. Dino! No - not Dino. Time Warner Cable. When I answered it was if I had placed the call to them. I had to go through the whole thing all over again. Except this girl said the work order was closed. She said we had two appointments, and got the new wiring we requested. What? We never requested new wiring. And we had one appointment. One.
After those two calls I had spent just under an hour on the phone. I had no resolution. I was told someone would come out to test the pole. Tuesday. Five days away. Time Warner, I might be taking this opportunity to switch over to AT&T for my television and internet. What do you think about that? I will be talking with friends and family to see who has it and how well they like it. If they are satisfied, and you don't do anything to regain my good will, I just may toddle over and spend my monthly money elsewhere.
If you come over to my house make sure you're ready for your close up. I'll be taking your photo.
Dino, why have you forsaken us? I offered you really good coffee. I apologized for the state of my basement. I tried to tell you the problem wasn't in my house, that it was a neighborhood-wide problem. What did you do? You replaced wires in my house. Okay, they might have needed to be replaced. You did some new outside wiring. Okay, I thought that was likely necessary as well. But then? Did you go do a test out at the pole in my front yard? No. You ran tests and realized the problem was still just as we had described it. Then you said 'they' would be running ping tests overnight and you would call first thing in the morning. You never called.
At 2:30 pm I called Time Warner Cable again. I got put through to four different people. I was told they would get with the field guys (I assume that includes Dino, and people like him) and someone would call me back. My phone rang nearly instantly. Dino! No - not Dino. Time Warner Cable. When I answered it was if I had placed the call to them. I had to go through the whole thing all over again. Except this girl said the work order was closed. She said we had two appointments, and got the new wiring we requested. What? We never requested new wiring. And we had one appointment. One.
After those two calls I had spent just under an hour on the phone. I had no resolution. I was told someone would come out to test the pole. Tuesday. Five days away. Time Warner, I might be taking this opportunity to switch over to AT&T for my television and internet. What do you think about that? I will be talking with friends and family to see who has it and how well they like it. If they are satisfied, and you don't do anything to regain my good will, I just may toddle over and spend my monthly money elsewhere.
If you come over to my house make sure you're ready for your close up. I'll be taking your photo.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate - Ended
When we went to see Ray Bradbury were staying at the Omni California Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. Because they are great they have a select guest program. One of the many perks is complementary beverages for two each morning. One hot and one cold. For me the choice was simple. I do not drink coffee and I carry my own tea bags everywhere. I also love good hot chocolate. Nice hotels usually serve up a decent cup of cocoa. My order was for hot chocolate and orange juice. When I took the first taste of the hot chocolate I was surprised. It was spicy! It was "Hey, I feel that all the way down my throat" spicy. I told my husband he had to taste it and he loved it, too. Each morning (and some evenings)I ordered this strange hot chocolate and wished I knew how to make it myself because I was going to miss it when I was gone. When I came home I wrote a little blurb on my blog about the Omni California Plaza and how much we enjoyed it. I mentioned the hot chocolate. Then I did a little research and found it it was Chuao Chocolatier's Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate. No wonder it was spicy! I thought I tasted cinnamon and pepper!
Let me tell you about Chuao.
Chuao is a small village located in northern Venezuela famous for its cacao plantations. Some of the finest cocoa beans in the world are produced in Chuao. The village is surrounded by mountains and dense rainforests to the south and by the Caribbean Sea to the north. Visitors must come by boat from along the coast, or by foot, crossing the mountains and the luxurious cloud forest from Turmero near Maracay. Did I mention that I used to live in Maracay, very near Chuao? It's a beautiful place.
In the Chuao plantation there are pure Criollo and hybrid varieties of cacao grown. Criollo beans from Chuao are of very high quality, and are considered Venezuela's finest beans.
Besides Spicy Maya hot chocolate, Chuao Chocolatier also offers Abuela (meaning grandmother) and Winter varieties. Hot chocolate isn't even Chuao's claim to fame. They have chocolate bars and bon bons and choco-pods, among other items. The first time I saw Chuao chocolate I was in World Market. I brought some "Caracas" bars home for my husband. I thought they were a nice little novelty since my husband is from Venezuela. He was thrilled. I had no idea when I was at the hotel that I was having Venezuelan cocoa from Chuao. I still sit here shaking my head about all the wonderful things to come from Venezuela.
One of the Oompa Loompas from Chuao sent me a package with two tins of Spicy Maya hot chocolate. One for me, and one for you! Here is how you can win:
First, go to Chuao Chocolatier and take a look at all their wonderful offerings. Then come and tell me which one you think would be your favorite.
Follow Chuao on twitter and tweet this message:
Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate will tease your taste buds and leave you begging for more. Enter to win @ http://tinyurl.com/dgb76a Please RT
Sign up for the Chuao newsletter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to my any of my blogs - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries
Fave me on technorati
Because this is such an amazing treat I want you to share it with your chocolate loving friends. If your friend enters and says you sent them in their entry you may come and take another entry. (One entry per friend, please)
I will choose a winner on Monday, May 18th. U.S. entries only, please.
Good luck!
Let me tell you about Chuao.
Chuao is a small village located in northern Venezuela famous for its cacao plantations. Some of the finest cocoa beans in the world are produced in Chuao. The village is surrounded by mountains and dense rainforests to the south and by the Caribbean Sea to the north. Visitors must come by boat from along the coast, or by foot, crossing the mountains and the luxurious cloud forest from Turmero near Maracay. Did I mention that I used to live in Maracay, very near Chuao? It's a beautiful place.
In the Chuao plantation there are pure Criollo and hybrid varieties of cacao grown. Criollo beans from Chuao are of very high quality, and are considered Venezuela's finest beans.
Besides Spicy Maya hot chocolate, Chuao Chocolatier also offers Abuela (meaning grandmother) and Winter varieties. Hot chocolate isn't even Chuao's claim to fame. They have chocolate bars and bon bons and choco-pods, among other items. The first time I saw Chuao chocolate I was in World Market. I brought some "Caracas" bars home for my husband. I thought they were a nice little novelty since my husband is from Venezuela. He was thrilled. I had no idea when I was at the hotel that I was having Venezuelan cocoa from Chuao. I still sit here shaking my head about all the wonderful things to come from Venezuela.
One of the Oompa Loompas from Chuao sent me a package with two tins of Spicy Maya hot chocolate. One for me, and one for you! Here is how you can win:
First, go to Chuao Chocolatier and take a look at all their wonderful offerings. Then come and tell me which one you think would be your favorite.
Follow Chuao on twitter and tweet this message:
Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate will tease your taste buds and leave you begging for more. Enter to win @ http://tinyurl.com/dgb76a Please RT
Sign up for the Chuao newsletter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry each
Subscribe to my any of my blogs - 1 entry each
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries each
Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries
Fave me on technorati
Because this is such an amazing treat I want you to share it with your chocolate loving friends. If your friend enters and says you sent them in their entry you may come and take another entry. (One entry per friend, please)
I will choose a winner on Monday, May 18th. U.S. entries only, please.
Good luck!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Diane Birch At The House Of Blues - Cleveland, OH
I got an email last week asking me to attend a concert at the House Of Blues Sunday night. There were to be two tickets at will call if I would agree to go hear Diane Birch and blog about it. It said "Here is her link." I went and listened. She sounded pretty good. Online. In a recording. Who knows, maybe I could sound good online in a recording. Okay, maybe not. Most people could, though. You know what I mean. You know how live music can be so different? I went prepared for pretty much anything.
After a bit of confusion at will call which resulted in us leaving and going around the corner to eat, I got a call from Ellis, the tour manager. He got everything taken care of and we were back around the corner again for our tickets. If nothing else, Diane Birch had a tour manager who was well chosen to deal with the public. He was friendly and efficient. We would totally have dinner with him.
We went into the concert as the opening band was finishing their last song. After walking around for a couple of minutes to get a feel for the place we saw Diane and her band come on stage. What a beautiful girl. She certainly does not have to sing for her supper. Sing she does, however, with the voice of an angel. If her vocals alone were not impressive enough she also plays the piano for all of her songs. Sunday night it was done on a keyboard. She also writes her own songs.
She's got a soulful young voice. After hearing her and feeling an immediate connection I was not surprised at all to see some of her influences are the same as some of mine: Church Hymns, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen. I loved this line in her profile:
Sounds Like everything/everyone/nothing/no one
There was not a song in the bunch where I started to drift into other thoughts. Every song in her repertoire drew me in further. I would have preferred to hear another of her own songs instead of "Baby don't hurt me" but I loved her rendition of it, and the crowd did as well. I will certainly be buying her c.d. "Bible Belt" when it releases. If she turns up in your town you better go now. Later you will be paying big bucks for tickets. I think you will be hearing a lot more about her in the future.
Preacher's kid, go figure. I'm in awe.
Old favorites: Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Cole Porter. New favorite: Diane Birch.
This unique opportunity was provided to me by the One2One Network
After a bit of confusion at will call which resulted in us leaving and going around the corner to eat, I got a call from Ellis, the tour manager. He got everything taken care of and we were back around the corner again for our tickets. If nothing else, Diane Birch had a tour manager who was well chosen to deal with the public. He was friendly and efficient. We would totally have dinner with him.
We went into the concert as the opening band was finishing their last song. After walking around for a couple of minutes to get a feel for the place we saw Diane and her band come on stage. What a beautiful girl. She certainly does not have to sing for her supper. Sing she does, however, with the voice of an angel. If her vocals alone were not impressive enough she also plays the piano for all of her songs. Sunday night it was done on a keyboard. She also writes her own songs.
She's got a soulful young voice. After hearing her and feeling an immediate connection I was not surprised at all to see some of her influences are the same as some of mine: Church Hymns, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen. I loved this line in her profile:
Sounds Like everything/everyone/nothing/no one
There was not a song in the bunch where I started to drift into other thoughts. Every song in her repertoire drew me in further. I would have preferred to hear another of her own songs instead of "Baby don't hurt me" but I loved her rendition of it, and the crowd did as well. I will certainly be buying her c.d. "Bible Belt" when it releases. If she turns up in your town you better go now. Later you will be paying big bucks for tickets. I think you will be hearing a lot more about her in the future.
Preacher's kid, go figure. I'm in awe.
Old favorites: Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Cole Porter. New favorite: Diane Birch.
This unique opportunity was provided to me by the One2One Network
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Somebody's Mother Makes Amazing Sauces!
It's difficult to write this blog post. I'll tell you why. Because all I can think about (at 8:30 in the morning, no less) is this caramel sauce. I mean, really. It is that good. It is already my favorite. I have to admit coming up with a favorite sauce from the three choices is like trying to choose your favorite cute snugly puppy. They are all wonderful.
I expected to like chocolate best. I am a chocolate hound, you see. So I tried chocolate first and declared chocolate the winner. Then I tried the caramel. By 'then', I mean about three seconds later. I declared caramel the winner. Next (another three seconds later) I tried White Chocolate with Pear William. Guess what? It was my new favorite! Then I thought about drinking the caramel sauce, but I had left it in the kitchen. Instead I was civilized and just licked the bowl I had used for the caramel. Bowl licking is not normal around these parts, but that was before Somebody's Mother was involved. Somebody's Mother's Sauces are the best I have ever had. Sure, I make a passable caramel sauce myself. I can even take it to pot luck type things. One time a lady even poured it on her tortilla wraps. Somebody's Mother's sauces put mine to shame.
I think today I am going to make myself a banana split just so I can have all three sauces on ice cream. I simply have to share them with my eighty-three year old grandparents, too. They know what good is. I am sure they will recognize these sauces as good right away.
Do you want to know what else is neat about Somebody's Mother's sauces? Their website. Yes, I said website. It shows the reason behind the business and it says a lot about the people behind the company. You can go straight to their store to order, but I would recommend stopping by the website. There is a book there, which you can read right now. It's free! There is a music download, also free. The song was written about the chocolate sauce. How many websites have you visited where you can download free books and music? I mean, what more do you want?
Oh.
Wait.
I know what you might like. How about a chance to win some for yourself?
Somebody's Mother has generously offered three prizes:
First Prize: Somebody's Mother's Hexagonal-Shaped Gift Box
Second Prize: Somebody's Mother's Two Jar "Tube"
Third Prize: One jar of your choice: Chocolate, Caramel, or White Chocolate w/pear William
I sort of feel sorry for whoever wins third prize because choosing will be such a daunting task. But maybe not. I mean, if you have never tried the sauces before you will not realize what it really means to choose between them.
The Somebody's Mother's Gift Box will be specially discounted 10 percent from April 20 to May 10 in honor of Mother's Day!
Okay, here is how you enter to win: Go to Somebody's Mother's website and come back here to leave a comment about your favorite lidlet or something from the book you liked. Then tell me which flavor you will choose if you win the third place prize.
For additional entries you can do the following (please leave a separate comment for each entry)
Follow SomebodysMother on twitter and tweet about this contest. Here is one you can use if you like: @SomebodysMother makes delicious sauces. I just entered a giveaway to win some of them.You can enter @ http://tinyurl.com/dksk5p Please RT
Tweet up to two times a day for up to two entries a day.
Follow my blog on blogger.
Subscribe via email or a reader.
Fave me on technorati Or digg, stumble, whatever this post.
Add my button to your blog. (2 entries)
Mention this giveaway on your blog. (5 entries)
Good luck!
Entries accepted through May 20th, 2009. Winners will be contacted via email.
Friday, May 1, 2009
4 Winners
The four winners of the "Just Because" giveaway are:
#94 Naddez
#51 TheGourmetGirl
#166 AngelFabs
#84 pestkaj
Congratulations to the winners! I hope you enjoy your delicious treats.
#94 Naddez
#51 TheGourmetGirl
#166 AngelFabs
#84 pestkaj
Congratulations to the winners! I hope you enjoy your delicious treats.
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