Merle's Pearls and Book Giveaway Winners

Photo by Daniel Huniewicz on Unsplash

Since I have a number of giveaways going on right now and quite a few coming up, I thought I'd start posting winners again.

The winner of the Merle's Pearls giveaway is #8, Tracy R.

The winners of the Whitney Wins Everything book giveaway are:

#6  Maryann D.

#12 Meghan B.

#15 sunshinehdfan

#1  aperry

#18 Julie W.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered.  I have several giveaways coming up and a couple going on right now.  Be sure to enter to win!

My Mark Twain Cave Visit

entrance to the gift shop 

Right behind it is where the entrance to the tour starts

On May 1st, my niece and I went to Hannibal, MO and visited several of the Mark Twain museums.  While there, we also took a tour through the Mark Twain Cave.  I've been a couple of times in the past but it'd been several years.  The times I went before, people were only allowed to take pictures in one specific spot.  This time, people were able to take as many pictures as they wanted.  So, you bet I did!

The Mark Twain Cave tour is based upon both factual history and fiction inspired Mark Twain’s famous work, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  A tour guide takes you through the hour-long walk and weaves both the fiction and non-fiction together.  There are also several interesting stops along the route.

Mark Twin Cave was discovered in 1819.  Although you can't go through the initial discovery spot, visitors can see where it is located.  This is Missouri’s oldest show cave, containing 260 passageways.  Not all passageways are accessible on the tour, but the hour-long tour still takes you on several of them.

Here's some fun facts regarding the cave:

1.  Bats used to be quite plentiful and visitors will notice blackened spots on the cave ceiling where bats used to hang out.  There are still a few here and there but you'll rarely see a bat now due to all the people that travel through.

2.  The cave is 52 degrees year-round and some of the passageways are electrically lit so visitors can see.  There is one spot during the tour where the guide turns out all the lights so you can get an idea of how dark it really is.

3.  Norman Rockwell rendered a Tom and Becky painting while actually painting in the cave. 

bat markings

4.  There are several autographs that line the cave walls.  Before the cave became a National Landmark, people would use soot or sharpened tools to put their names and dates on the walls.  Very few "autographs" are past 1972 and that's because it's now illegal to add any writing to the walls unless given special permission.

5.  Jessie James signed his name in the Mark Twain Cave which is dated September 22, 1879, sixteen days before he robbed a train in Independence.  Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) also signed his name in the cave many years ago but it was only recently discovered in 2019.  Both names have been authenticated.

6.  Joseph Nash McDowell bought the cave in 1847 and was the owner during Mark Twain’s childhood. He is infamous for putting his recently deceased daughter into a copper cylinder and placing the cylinder in the back of his cave hoping to further his theory of human petrification. When Hannibal residents learned of this act, they begged him to remove her and bury her as was deemed proper.

The red line marks the path that visitors take

The Mark Twain Cave is a stop I highly recommend.  It's visually astonishing and quite the learning experience about the cave itself and about Becky Thatcher/Tom Sawyer.  

Blue's Clues and You! Let's Learn With Blue - DVD Giveaway

lue into lots of play-along learning with Blue and Josh in the brand-new DVD release, Blue’s Clues & You! Let’s Learn With Blue. Available on May 24, 2022, kids will search for Blue’s Clues while playing active skill-building games along the way to help them learn their ABCs, 123s, colors, and science in four play-to-learn episodes.

 Blue’s Clues & You! Let’s Learn With Blue will be available on DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon Home Entertainment on May 24, 2022, for the suggested retail price of $10.99.

 Blue’s Clues & You! Let’s Learn With Blue episodes:

ABCs with Blue

123s with Blue

Science with Blue

Colors Everywhere with Blue

 Blue’s Clues & You! Let’s Learn With Blue synopsis:

Join Blue, Josh, and their friends for clue-filled learning games! First, Blue will help kids learn their ABCs … and practice letter recognition and sound too. Next up, Josh is COUNTING on preschoolers to help him with his 123s as he counts Blue Dollars and figures out what Blue wants to buy at the store. By asking kids direct questions like he always does, Josh invites them to learn about science: examining the world through a magnifying glass, meeting the Sun, and learning the Planets Song too. And preschoolers will learn clue into colors and even color mixing as they help Josh and Blue paint a picture of their friends. Kids will love to learn and play the Blue’s Clues & You! way!

 Blue’s Clues & You! Blue’s Big Baking Show fast facts:

Street Date: May 24, 2022

Catalog: 19132922048 (US), 191329220498 (CN)

Running Time: 1 hr 30 min

Win It!

One person will win Blue's Clues and You! Let's Learn With Blue on DVD.

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

I received no compensation for this post.  This post is in partnership with PR firm.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

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Summer's Eve Active Line - Review

I don't consider myself an exercise enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination.  But, I would consider myself active.  I keep busy and am on the move quite often.  I also spend a lot of time outdoors, especially during weekends.  I don't mind being in the heat but I'm one of those gals that perspire from every pore of my body.  If the sun's out, I'll start sweating like a cow in a slaughterhouse.   That's why the Summer's Eve Active Line is perfect for me.  The products help keep me feeling fresh and cleansed.

Active Cleansing Wash

Summer’s Eve Active Cleansing Wash elevates freshness and keeps feminine areas feeling their best. This wash features a blending of cooling oils helping to relieve you of sweat-induced discomfort.  I keep a bottle of this in my camper shower and use it after being outside for most of the day.  The wash contains a blend of eucalyptus and mint essential oils.

Active Cleansing Cloths

These individually wrapped cloths are made with Acti-Cool, a blend of eucalyptus and mint essential oils to deliver a cooling and refreshing burst of freshness.  I keep a few in my purse at all times and use them when I start to break out in a sweat.  They're quite handy and help cool my skin.

Active Chafe Gel

For those who experience leggings or running shorts induced chafe, you no longer have to say no to a workout due to discomfort! Summer’s Eve Active Chafe Gel goes on clear, is safe for daily use and can be used on inner thighs, bikini area, under the tatas and underarms.  This small tube of gel goes a long way and has been a saving grace at times when the underside of my jugs start to get dank from the heat.

The Summer's Eve Active Line helps me feel fresher and a whole lot less grimy and sticky from sweat.

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.

Elda's Kitchen Sauces - Review and Giveaway

Parmesan green beans with almonds and caramelized onion, smothered in Korean Style Sesame sauce

With almost every meal that we cook, we add spices and sauces.  Sometimes it's what's called for in recipes and sometimes it's just whatever we feel like adding in to give our meals extra flavor.  Our pantry has no shortage of sauces or spices and we always like to try different varieties.  

 Almost all of our meat is seasoned in some way, shape, or form when we cook.  The sauces from Elda's Kitchen that I received for review were all delicious and added extra tasty flavor to our food.

grilled chicken legs glazed with Kentucky Bourbon sauce

Elda’s Kitchen sauces are small batch, artisan-made sauces that are vegan friendly, gluten-free, verified non-GMO and contain no preservatives, msg or high fructose corn syrup, so you can grill (or cook) without the guilt!

Did you know that May is actually National Egg Month? Elda's Kitchen has a scrumptious Garlic and Herb Quiche and other great breakfast recipes…along with dozens of grilling recipes, snacks, dinners and more.  You can use Elda's Kitchen sauces for your own dishes that you create, or go to her recipe section to get inspiration and ideas.

Elda's Kitchen has over a dozen different sauces available.  All of the sauces are versatile, meaning they taste good in many eatables.  My personal favorite is Garlic & Herb, especially when it's used to marinate chicken.  My husband is very keen on the Theo's Steakhouse sauce and likes how the mesquite flavor blends well with meats.  Elda's Kitchen sauces have made the way to our dinner plates several times now and will continue to do so. 

Win It!

One person will win a variety pack of sauces from Elda's Kitchen.

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

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.

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My April Amazon Prime Purchases

my mud boots

April was a busy month for Amazon.  I purchased quite a bit from there.  Here are just a few of the items I ordered:

K KomForme Women's Waterproof Rain Boots

I'm going on vacation with a friend in a couple of weeks to Arkansas.  We will be spending time hiking, exploring, and digging in dirt.  I bought these boots to wear when I'm in muddy areas.

2 Pack Big Sister Brother Dog Bandana Buffalo Plaid Triangle Dog Scarf

I'm hosting a baby shower in June for my oldest son and his lady.  They own a Corgi dog that's spoiled rotten.  I purchased these bandanas as a gift to the pup.  He's gonna make a great "big brother".

Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God Member Book

Several years ago I went through 'Experiencing God' with a ladies group from church.  There's "homework" for every day in this 13-week study about knowing and doing the will of God.  My husband has participated in this study three times and just recently completed a full session. I  just purchased four more of these books.  Myself, along with my husband and two friends, are going to go through it together on Saturday mornings at camp.  You know it's a good book when Jason's willing to go through it for a fourth time!

Lvylov Decorative Soft Fluffy Faux Fur Throw Blanket 50" x 60"

I needed a new blanket like I need a hole in the head.  I've already got my fair share, but this one caught my eye.  It's fairly lightweight but oh-so-soft and keeps me warm.  It's my new "napping blanket".

Welder Grill Grilling Funny Quotes Welding BBQ Men T-Shirt

My son, Adam, is 22 years old.  That's old enough not to need an Easter basket.  But he pointed me the other direction when he jokingly posted on FB that he was gonna call the police if he didn't get anything for Easter.  So, what's a mom to do with that "threat"?!  I made the right choice and ordered this shirt and a big bag of Easter candy for him.  I had to have it shipped to his addy in Ohio.  So he did, in fact, get something for Easter and didn't have to call the police!

MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation by Jerome Alexander – 2pc Set with Airbrush Foundation and Kabuki Brush

I'm not 100% in love with this foundation but I've purchased it three times now, so there must be something that keeps drawing me to it.  I don't like that I can't purchase the foundation without the brush (I'm starting to get a collection of them) and the foundation itself has a somewhat dense/weighty feel on the skin.  I do like the color and how it blends with my skin tone, and it gives great coverage.

Do you recommend any Air Brush Foundation brands that work for you?

Have you gotten any fun or handy Amazon purchases lately?

My Visit To Mark Twain Museums

 I only live half an hour from Hannibal, Missouri and pass through there often.  But, I'd never visited the museums that surround the history of Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain).  My niece and I decided to take a tour of them last Sunday.  There are seven museums total, all within walking distance of each other.

Becky Thatcher's House

The seven places we visited were the Interpretive Center, Huckleberry Finn House, Mark Twain Boyhood Home, Becky Thatcher House, J.M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office, Grant's Drug Store, and Museum Gallery (the best out of them all).

a Tom Sawyer outfit from a representative back in the day

Some of the museums took longer than others.  A handful were just room showings and a few signs to read.  Others were more interactive.

Fun fact:  Every year middle-school kids try out for Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher.  Five of each are winners every year to represent their hometown in-state and out-of-state.  It takes an extensive interview, an essay, and a 120 question exam to be in the running.

Another fun fact: Samuel Clemens had a son who died at the age of 19 months old.  He had a bust made out of his face.

I said NO to the dress!

At the Museum Gallery, visitors can try on period clothing.  Unfortunately, it didn't fit me very well.

Ashley in a stagecoach that played a time-period showing.

I feel like the entire experience was interesting and learned a lot about Samuel Clemens.  I feel like there could've been more in each museum, to heighten the participation and exposure but am glad I went at least once.