The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Summertime - Review and Giveaway

I received product for review from Candlewick Press.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Book Overview:

Get creative with this innovative coloring book full of beautifully designed cards and envelopes to tear out and color. The twenty-four summertime designs include seashells, flowers, dragonflies, and more and are perfect for all ages to decorate and send or give to family and friends. Take inspiration from nature, or experiment with unusual colors and different materials to make each card truly unique! With enough blank space inside for a message, envelopes to customize, and cute stickers to seal them, this is the complete creative package.

My Review:

I know that technology allows us to communicate quickly, but sometimes it's nice to receive snail mail.  When I receive a card or letter in the mail, it brightens my day.  The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Summertime is a way to express your creative side, and show it to others.

Each page is made with high quality stock paper.  There are 24 cards and envelopes to color, and 24 stickers to seal the envelopes.  Instructions in front of the book show how to properly fold the cards and envelopes.  It's fairly easy, but younger children may need assistance.  The pages are perforated and tear out easily.  For each card, there is a "Colored for you by..." placement and there's enough white space to write a small message.  Gel pens, coloring pencils, and markers can be used on the paper and they more than likely won't bleed through.  Due to the thickness of the paper, I've been able to use whatever desired writing utensils that I want.  I've colored a couple of the cards and envelopes, and have sent them off to let others know I'm thinking of them.

Win It!

One person will win The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Summertime.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA and Canada.*
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Government Assistance Resources For Your Family

This post contains an affiliate link.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.



Learn more about government assistance for your family with valuable resources that provide information and guidance on the following:

Get Information on Your State Benefit Programs

Learn How to Successfully Apply For Housing Grants

Discover Programs for Housing, Utilities, Home Improvement and More

Information on Rental Housing Assistance

For U.S., ages 18+.

My Life Lately - Movies and Transitions

It's been a while since I've thrown a post in here telling what I've been up to lately.  I usually link up with Random Tuesday Thoughts at Stacy Uncorked, but I've missed the deadline a few times.  So, without further ado, here is what I've been up to:

Allyson, Juliann, Emma

Juliann celebrated her 17th birthday on the 6th.  We had a family meal at a local Mexican restaurant.  She started school yesterday and it's her last year.  Emma went back to school too, entering as a Sophomore.
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Adam turns 18 years old tomorrow (another official adult!).  He is moving into his own apartment early next week.  The place is super small.  Look left, look right, look straight.....that's the layout.  But it's cheap enough and maintained well.
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I went with some gal pals to the theater and watched Girls Trip, starring Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith.  The people I went with thought it was hilarious.  I thought it was eh, okay.  All laughs were delivered by Tiffany Haddish, a breakout star in the film.  She carried the movie in regards to humor.
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I also watched Annabelle: Creation at the theater.  Didn't love it.  Didn't hate it.  I like a good horror movie and I've seen some wackadoodles.  It was interesting, at least, to see how Annabelle became the source of evil via a doll.
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Chippy and his owner (aka, my bestie) came by to visit a couple weeks ago.  I've had to wean myself from seeing Alaina at least three times a week to seeing her once or twice a month.  I know, it sounds Single White Female-ish.  I swear, it isn't.  Just miss her, that's all.

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Adam and I went to the local fair/carnival last Saturday.  One section is all the basic fair rides, fair food booths, and games with carnies.  The other section is more local, with quarter games and clubs selling food.  I used to enjoy going to the K of C but it's not quite what it used to be.  Me and Adam were there just short of an hour and were ready to beat feet.  Within that hour, Adam won a tshirt and $20.  He came out ahead.

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I love to tent camp.  Sleeping under the stars to the sounds of crickets, frogs, and birds is a happy oasis for me.  Unfortunately, I can't find a lot of people as interested in it as I am.  Fortunately, Rhonda had last Monday off from work so she and I "roughed it" in her backyard.  We had a tent with an air mattress and fell asleep in there after staying up and gabbing till 4 am.  Her husband made us a home cooked meal of pork ribs and green beans, complete with (LED) candlelight.

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My sister is big into those online Pearl parties.  I don't know a lot about them, other than it's a jewelry business that opens oysters and reveals pearls live online.  It's not my cup of tea, but I am very happy with the ring she purchased for me as a gift.  It's a blue pearl surrounded with four diamonds. #SisterlyLove

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Logan was going through his belongs yesterday and I happened to notice Ziploc bags full of random receipts.  He has kept EVERY receipt for EVERY transaction for the last two years.  I did a Life Skills Intervention and explained that tax documents and paycheck stubs should be kept.  Receipts to Hyvee and Wal-Mart from two years ago are not in the "Necessary Documents" department.  He's definitely a bird of a different feather.

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So, how about yourself?  What have you been up to lately?

Have you seen any movies in the theater recently?
Have you taken part in any of the online Pearl parties?

Power of Prayer Thursdays - Week 85

Photo by Brady Bellini on Unsplash

I believe in a God that hears prayers and answers them. I've witnessed the miraculous gift of answered prayer. And, I want to pray for you. I've started weekly Power of Prayer post every Thursday. We are now on week 85. If you are needing prayer in an area of your life, please leave a comment and I'll commit to pray for your need or request. You can be as general or as specific as you like. Whether it be for healing, salvation, finances, emotions, or another area of life, I'd like to lift it up in prayer.

Malachi 4:2 
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Check it Out: Luster Premium White's Summer of Smiles Sweepstakes & Giveaway

I will receive products in exchange for this post.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Luster Premium White's Summer of Smiles Sweepstakes & Giveaway is currently running now through September 30, 2017.

Sweepstakes:

Win up to $4,000 in prizes!! The Sweepstakes consist of 10 unique drawings to award one  prize in each drawing. Entry in the Sweepstakes does not constitute entry into any other promotion, contest or sweepstakes.   Enter at www.lustersummersmiles.com.

How to enter:-Once on the site, you will be presented the Sweepstakes calendar of prizes.
-Click on an unlocked prize(s) and complete the entry form with all required information which may include: your full name, complete home address, mobile telephone number, age, and valid email address.-Complete your entry by agreeing to the Official Rules. Once you submit your entry you will receive one (1) entry into the unlocked prize Sweepstakes drawing. NO entry is carried forward to any remaining unlocked prize Sweepstakes drawing (if any remain). To enter all unlocked prize Sweepstakes you must visit the Sweepstakes site and register each time a prize is unlocked from the Sweepstakes calendar.

Giveaway:

Win an additional $500 in prizes! Upload a photo of yourself on Twitter or Instagram with any Luster product using the hashtag #LusterContest, and a caption of why you LOVE Luster!
How to enter:
-You must submit an original photo of you smiling with a Luster product and in the caption telling the Judges “Why you LOVE Luster” along with the hashtag #LusterContest (“Eligible Entry”).
-Your Eligible Photo and caption must comply with these Official Rules and may not contain any of the Prohibited Content set forth below.-Partial or incomplete/piecemeal submissions without the hashtag #LusterContest WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS CONTEST ENTRIES and shall not be eligible for any Prize.-All submitted photos will be reviewed by the Sponsor for compliance prior to being judged.
-Alternate Means of Entry: If you do not have access to the Luster product you may artistically draw a Luster product and in the caption telling the judges “Why you LOVE Luster” along with the hashtag #LusterContest and upload to your Instagram or Twitter social media account.
- Entries will be automatically populated to the Luster’s Summer of Smiles landing page at www.lustersummersmiles.com. All entries will be reviewed by the Sponsor prior to the judging.
-Limit: You may enter one (1) unique photo as often as you like.

Halfpops - Snack Review

I received products for review.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

When going through a bag of popcorn, I like to gather the half popped kernels and chew on them.  Halfpops is a company that knows there's others like me and they've invented half-popped popcorn snacks in a variety of flavors.  The snacks are crunchy, healthy, and portable.  Halfpops are bagged in three different sizes, and I received the individual snack sizes for review.

Currently, there are seven flavors of Halfpops available: 

Black Truffle & Sea Salt

Caramel & Sea Salt

Angry Kettle Corn

Brooklyn Dill Pickle

Butter & Pure Ocean Sea Salt

Aged White Cheddar

Simply Sea Salt

To get a mix of opinions, I opened each individual bag and set them on plates to share with my Small Group.  Halfpops aren't a type of snack I'm normally used to, so it took a couple bites to let my mind and my taste buds get acclimated to the crunch, texture, and flavors.  The majority of Small Group really liked Halfpops, with Aged White Cheddar and Angry Kettle Corn being the top two flavors.  A couple of people said that Caramel & Sea Salt had a coffee flavor.  Brooklyn Dill Pickle was the least liked but there were a couple of people who enjoyed the pickle flavoring on their kernels.  I think the individual serving sizes are perfect for on-the-go and I appreciate that the snacks don't crumble and fall apart if they're packed in with other belongings.  

Have you tried Halfpops?
What flavor would you be most interested in trying?

Revolution Foods - #RevolutionFoods Review and Giveaway

I received products for review.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

My husband and I like making big meals at home from time to time.  But, that's not always possible.  We may have events to attend or don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

I recently received four Dinner Hero kits from Revolution Foods and they are perfect for when I'm hungry, yet crunched for time.  

Fiesta Taco

The Dinner Hero kits come in four flavors:

Sesame Garlic

Coconut Curry

Smoky Tomato

Fiesta Taco

Dinner Hero kits come with the seasonings, spices, and rice.  It's up to you to add the protein.  Each kit has a suggestion on which protein to use but it's entirely up to you.  It' takes approximately 30 minutes to make a healthy dinner.  Dinner Hero contains no artificial flavors and it contains 42+ grams of whole grains.  The kits are made to feed four people.  Because we are big eaters, we found that it satisfactory feeds and fills up three of us.  I liked all four varieties, with Sesame Garlic being my favorite.  A clever component of the kits is that the cooking instructions are inside the box flap, cookbook style.  It also includes illustrations and tips.

You can find Dinner Hero near the boxed mac and cheese at your local Jewel-Osco store. 

Revolution Foods was founded 10 years ago by two moms who wanted to change the way that kids eat in America. The company is a leading provider of healthy family meals across the nation, serving over 2 million school meals a week.  Revolution Foods donates 1% of their retails sales to schools to help provide fresh meals to students every day.

Win It!

One person will win ten free product coupons from Revolution Foods.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*
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