Savory Pot Roast

This recipe has been a family favorite for many years. We have tweaked this recipe many times 

Savory Pot Roast

One large skillet

One 2-3lb roast

One large can(28oz) Italian chopped tomatoes

4-5 large cubed Potatoes (any type potatoes you prefer)

3-4 fresh chopped carrots

2tbsp tomato paste

2-3 sprigs fresh chopped parsley

2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary

1 clove minced garlic

1tbsp seven spices mix (can be replaced with stew seasoning mix)

salt

pepper

water

olive oil

Heat skillet and coat the bottom with olive oil. Add minced garlic and brown lightly. Lightly season the roast with salt and pepper on both sides. Sear the roast on both sides in the hot skillet. Once browned to your liking add the chopped tomatoes, water to cover the roast and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Add chopped parsley, rosemary sprigs and spice mix. Cover, lower temprature to a simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Add chopped carrots. Simmer another 20 min. Add cubed potatoes. Slow cook until the roast is tender. Add water as needed.



Mineral Cosmetics Giveaway!

Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics Giveaway

This giveaway is for one Luminous Lip Gloss, one Mineral Liquid Foundation one Mineral Primer. The winner can have the color of their choice on the Lip Gloss and Liquid Foundation. A Retail Value of $58. US Residents only please

 

I have been very interested for a long while in trying a natural mineral face makeup. I very seldom wear makeup. Being asthmatic I have very sensitive skin. I have not very often found a makeup that did not burn, make my skin red or rashy. When offered to try Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics I thought why not try their product. Being made with the highest quality botanicals, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and peptides should make this makeup different than regular makeup. You can read the complete review here.

Please use the rafflecopter below to enter the giveaway. 

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Free 1 Month Subscription to ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy

ABC Mouse offers a full online curriculum for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten in the subjects of reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music. Children can start anywhere and move through the curriculum at their own pace! ABC Mouse has won numerous awards, including the Parent's Choice, Teacher's Choice, and Mom's Choice GOLD awards! Get your first month FREE! CLICK HERE
 

Hon Ignition HIWM2 Mid Back Management Chair #shopletreviews

Have you ever wanted a nice chair for your home office? I have thought about finding a desk chair with good back support. I sit at my desk for long stretches at a time. My back can begin to ache and my legs go numb from poor circulation. A good chair can solve these problems and more. Well, thanks to my favorite office supply store I have a new office chair for my blogging corner.
The chair I received to review is a HON Ignition HIWM2 Mid Back Management Chair. I have a couple nice looking office chairs but they are not comfortable when sitting for long hours.

With my new chair I am able to sit for a longer time period with out feeling a strain on my back muscles. The Hon Ignition Work Mid-back Chair has been designed to adjust to fit different body types. The arms can adjust to your preferred height and move out for more width in the seat area. The photo below shows the left arm raised to the maximum height and the right arm moved to the lowest setting.

As with most office chairs this chair can be raised or lowered to accommodate long or shorter legs. The back of the chair can be raised or lowered so the contour will fit to your body. This feature makes it great for back support. The chair also can tilt back allowing a person to adjust the back angle to ones preference. One more plus to this chair it is available in many upholstery options including a mesh back. I just love the mesh back. Air flow is very important to me when sitting for long hours. I like to work in comfort when sitting at my computer. With all the adjustment set to fit myself I am so excited to sit right down and get started on some long over due writing assignments.

 

 

My family usually likes to confiscate my review products with in minutes or days of completing a review. With this chair there has been a lot of begging and pleading. I am keeping the chair folks! Not, sharing with anyone! Well, maybe my sweet husband can use it from time to time. What type of chair do you like to work in? Do you sit for long hours writing or working? Perhaps you could use a desk chair from Shoplet.com.

 

Disclosure:
I received the above mentioned product to review from Shoplet.com in exchange for an honest opinion

 

"Good Morning My Love"

Music CD Review:

Good Morning My Love by Vered

 

The re-mastered edition of Good Morning My Love (featuring two new songs) is being released on October 23. Good Morning My Love is a children/parents award winning music CD.
I have been listening to this CD for about a week now and I can certainly see why the album won a Parents' Choice Gold Award. The music and lyrics are very different and interesting. I am amazed how relaxing it is to listen to the music.
One of the reasons I decided to review this CD was when I was raising my children I followed the attachment parenting method. The album is not your usual kids music but its purpose is to help new parents bond with their babies. The music is written and grounded in the attachment theory. Vered has an education in clinical psychology and leads over fifty baby/parent workshops every year. This album will help parents enjoy those little moments in life and help parents use music to establish routines,soothe and build security.

"Good Morning My Love" Track List

 

Good Morning My Love

Hands in My Mouth

Faces

Jump

Bikeride

One Day

Sunday

Flying Hands

When You Smile

Ah Ah

Don't Leave Me

New Words

Sunshine

At 63

Swinging

Bathtime

Dolly

Sleep

 

My favorite is track two "Hands in My Mouth" It brought back memories of my children teething  on their fingers. My grandchildren will enjoy the CD and so will their parents. My daughter and sons are all raising their children by the attachment parenting method. I know they will get lots of use from this CD.

I would like you to hear a small sample of Vered musics. Enjoy the clip and tell me what you think.



 

You can purchase the CD here.

 

Disclosure:
I received the above mentioned CD to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

Wordless Wednesday

Little Bug And His Bird

 

Plush Giraffe Toddler Halloween Costume

This year we asked Pooh Bear what costume he would like to wear for the preschool Halloween parade? We should have known the answer it was obvious. He seriously said "Mom, I want to be a giraffe with a tall neck!" Not a super hero, nor a cartoon character, monster, or dinosaur. Just a giraffe with a tall neck!

This is Pooh Bear Feeding his favorite animal a carrot! Can you see why he wants to be a giraffe? Thanks to Supercenter for costumes for allowing me to review this awesome giraffe costume.

Do you see how tall he is standing. He wants to be tall just like a real giraffe! The costume is made in 100% polyester fabric. It has a soft plush feel. I expect it will be nice and warm on Halloween. Pooh Bear lives in the north and it does get cold by the end of October so this will be great to keep him warm. The mittens and feet are attached. The mittens have an opening so a child can take their hands out or keep them in. The feet cover the shoes but have no bottom. There is a Velcro attachment to attach to the shoes. This should prevent tripping over the feet. The hood shaped head is not attached. The chin strap has a Velcro closure. I have looked over all the seams and the workmanship in this costume is of high quality.

The size we are reviewing is a 2t-4t. Pooh Bear weighs 32lbs and is about 45 inches tall. Yes, he is tall for a 2 1/2 year old. The costume fits perfectly as you can see in the photo.

I like to have lots of costumes around for the grandchildren to play dress up. I like to encourage imaginative play. Buying costumes at discount prices makes it even more fun for grandma. If your grandchild needs a costume the Costume Super Center is the place to visit. Their selection is super and I am sure you will find a high quality costume at a fantastic price. For a limited time you can take an extra 15% off on costumes $30 or more. Use the code Ghostly. Follow Costume SuperCenter on twitter to keep up with all the new costume happenings.

Do you play dress up with your children Or grandchildren? What was your favorite costume when you were a child?

 

 

Disclosure

I received the above costume in exchange for an honest review. No monetary compensation was received

Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics Review

I have been very interested for a long while in trying a natural mineral face makeup. I very seldom wear makeup. Being asthmatic I have very sensitive skin. I have not very often found a makeup that did not burn, make my skin red or rashy. When offered to try Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics I thought why not try their product. Being made with the highest quality botanicals, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and peptides should make this makeup different than regular makeup.
I decided to try the Perfecting Finish Mineral Liquid Foundation which should be applied over the Perfecting Finish Mineral Primer. I opted to try both products.

The Perfecting Finish Mineral Primer prepares the skin for mineral foundation. This allows for a smooth application of mineral foundation. The primer is rich in vitamins A and E. It is also infused with white tea and lycii fruit.

The primer felt silky and oil free. My skin quickly absorbed the primer and felt soft to touch after application. I did not smell a scent in this product which is a plus for my sensitivity. Lastly it is made in the USA.

The Perfecting Finish Mineral Liquid Foundation is made with natural minerals, green tea, lecithin and vitamins A and E. Wearing foundation is usually when I get burning skin or a rash. I am sure you can understand why I do not wear much makeup. I applied the foundation over the primer and found it to glide on in an even and smooth finish. I have applied this foundation several times the last two weeks. That is a lot of makeup wearing for me. I have not had any problems. My skin has not become sensitive, dry, itchy or red in any way.

 

The foundation went on even and smoothly. No oily feeling but did have a light scent upon application. the scent was gone the instant it dried. The foundation is also made in the USA.

I had one more product I wanted to try and that was the Luminous Lip Gloss Tentación.

The lip gloss is made with Vitamin  rich hydrating A, C and E. The lip gloss feels rich, creamy and left a glistening shine on my lips. They did not feel dry, sticky or pasty. The Luminous Lip Gloss is also made in the USA.

 

I have tried each of these products and found them to be easy to apply and have not found them to cause my skin any problems. I must also note the products have not triggered my asthma which has happened in the past with other makeup products. Will I wear this makeup more often than I have in the past? No, probably not. I will not change my habits but I am happy that I have found makeup that I can wear on special occasions such as weddings and appointments at the photo studio. 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Painting In The Kitchen

I have been keeping busy lately. I had mentioned before that I was doing some painting in my kitchen. I am enjoying the fun of doing a project myself instead of passing the work off onto someone else. Although I am certainly not an expert in painting I am willing to learn along the way.
I have looked through my photo archives to find a before photo. Hm, I was sure I had many pictures of family gatherings in my kitchen. Oh, duh! They were on the other hard drive that is lost forever to the blue screen of death..
This is a partial photo of my green cupboards behind my grandchildren. there are two colors of counters by the stove they are old reddish cranberry and to your left a grayish black that was an emergency replacement a few years ago.

 

A close up of the wall paper and counter. I had just started paint the cupboards in this photo. You can see a bit at the bottom. No more green!

 

Here the cupboards are semi finished and the walls have been painted.

 

I am working on the counters this week. I have scrubbed sanded and put the first coat on. After the second coat I will look for hardware for my cupboards. We are totally still up in the air about the floor. I want to try painting. I am almost worried I might be biting off more than I want to chew.

What have you been up to? I hope you have been enjoying a lovely week.

UPS My Choice Try It Now

 

I am always waiting for packages from the UPS for my reviews. Many companies do not provide a tracking number for packages shipped. This leaves me hanging around the house waiting to sign for a package. Most days this is not a problem but there are times when I have missed important packages because I am not home. Well, UPS My Choice is the answer. Finally I can stop worrying and get on with life.

 

Disclaimer:

This post contains sponsored content.

My Coke Reward Points #Giveaway 2 Winners!!

Just because I like to share. I have lots of Coke Reward Codes. Two winners. 1st prize wins ten codes. 2nd prize wins five codes.
Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. All entries will be moderated. Entries that require extra information to be counted must have the extra information completed.
 

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Great New Coupons

Make your school mornings eaiser than ever with these great breakfast coupons. Bake up some treats for the family with the baking coupons and add an easy snack to your childs lunch with these snack coupons.

Breakfast

• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor Cheerios® cereals: Original Cheerios® • Honey Nut Cheerios® • Multi Grain Cheerios® • A
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any ONE BOX Cookie Crisp® cereal
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy any TWO BOXES any flavor General Mills Big G cereals: Cheerios® • Cinnamon Toast Crunch® • Chex® • Lucky
• SAVE 75¢ when you buy ONE BOX Wheaties® or Wheaties Fuel® cereal
• SAVE 75¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE any flavor/variety Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel®OR Toaster Scrambles® Pastries OR Pillsbury® Pancakes
• SAVE 75¢ ON TWO when you buy TWO any flavor Yoplait® products listed: • Yoplait®Go-GURT® Yogurt • Yoplait® (Void in LA, NV, NJ, ND & TN)
• SAVE 40¢ ON SIX when you buy SIX CUPS any variety Yoplait® Yogurt (Void in LA, NV, NJ, ND & TN)
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor Yoplait® Fruplait™ Yogurt Multipacks (Void in LA, NV, NJ, ND & TN)
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor Yoplait® Light with Fiber Yogurt Multipacks (Void in LA, NV, NJ, ND & TN)
• Save $1.00 on any one (1) IHOP at Home® French Toast Stuffed Pastry

Baking

• SAVE 50¢ when you buy ONE 20 OZ. OR LARGER Original Bisquick® OR Bisquick Heart Smart® Baking Mix, OR 10.6 OZ. Bisquick® Shake ’n
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy ONE POUCH any flavor 17.5 OZ. OR LARGER Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Box Muffin Mix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ Muffin Mix, Cocoa Puffs™ Mu
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy ONE any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Shake-N-Pour™ Desserts
• SAVE 50¢ ON TWO when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury® Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts
• SAVE 40¢ ON TWO when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls
• SAVE 40¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE CANS any size/variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Grands!® or Grands! Jr.® Biscuits
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough
• SAVE 40¢ ON TWO when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls
• $0.40 Off Any One Fleischmann's® Pizza Crust Yeast Strip

On-the-Go Snacks

• SAVE 50¢ ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor/variety Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks, Mott’s® Fruit Flavored Snacks OR Sunkist® F
• SAVE 50¢ ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot®, Fruit Gushers® or Fruit Roll-
• SAVE 40¢ when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® Chewy Bars, Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars OR Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® Chewy Bars
• SAVE 50¢ ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any Nature Valley® Granola Bars (5 count or larger) OR Nature Valley® Granola Thins
• Save $.75 on one (1) Minute Maid® Juice Box 10-pk, any variety
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy ONE PACKAGE any flavor 7 OZ. OR LARGER Pillsbury® Baguette Chips
• SAVE 75¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE any flavor/variety LÄRABAR®, ÜBER® OR JOCALAT®bars
• SAVE $1.00 when you buy any ONE (1) package of Pepperidge Farm® Jingos!™ crackers (2 oz. or larger)

Children's Music CD I Am Sleepy By Sukey Molloy

Just recently I reviewed the Music C "I am Happy " by Sukey Molloy Well, I just received a companion CD "I am Sleepy" due to be released October 26th. I am an avid fan of song writer and singer Sukey Molloy. If you have never heard any of her music you are missing some fantastic children's music.

I am thrilled to review this CD. I have been searching for the perfect music to play for my newest grandson. He is just eight weeks old. He has been terribly cranky and has been diagnosed with infant reflux. His mother and I have come to the conclusion that soft and peaceful music might help him when riding in the car seat. This CD is perfect for that! I have been listening to the CD as I write this post. I can only say the music is relaxing, soothing and easy to listen to. I can feel the tension release from myself as I close my eyes and listen to each track.



 I AM SLEEPY!

TRACK LIST:

The Moon Shines Down
Hush My Little One
Evening's Coming
Quiet Night Poem
Twilight Song
The Story of Twinkle Little Star
Night is Falling
Early in the Evening
Sleep So Gently
Shadows Dance Upon My Wall
Scottish Folk Song
The Story of Little Lamb
Little Lamb's Song
Wind Through My Window
Sleep Now and Rest
Russian Lullaby
All the World is Sleeping

My favorite song on this CD is "The Moon Shines Down. Its soft soothing music will certainly calm a restless child. My favorite story on the CD is "The Story of Little Lamb. My grandchildren loved hearing the story. It makes a great bedtime story. Lastly the Quiet night poem was a favorite of Little Bugs. I think all my grandchildren and their parents will benefit from listening to the music on this CD.

I would like to share a sample of the music with you. Check out the video and tell me what you think.

Sukey is now taking pre-orders for the album on her website, www.sukeymolloy.com

Disclosure:
I received the above mentioned CD to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

Did You Say Zebra Pens?

Yes, I am reviewing Zebra Pens today from Zebra Pen and Shoplet.com.

I am going to tell you somethings today that I do not normally get into when reviewing a product. Zebra Pen Corporation was founded in 1982. It is a leader in manufacturing and selling writing instruments. They care about their customers and are committed to listening to what the customer wants and needs. Look at all these awesome pens. Each one is for a different writing experience.

New in 2012, Zebra Pen has introduced Z-Mulsion. That is a writing instrument with Emulsion ink! Emulsion ink is a blend of oil, water and pigment that makes a very smooth writing experience. I received a black and red Z-Mulsion pen to review. Well, I compared the Zebra Z-Mulsion EX Ballpoint Pen to a regular gel pen. I just have to say I love the Z-Mulsion experience. Smooth writing with out dragging. The pen glides smoothly over my page with out skipping or scratching.

 

For the young at heart Zebra pens have ball point Animals and Daisies Z-Grip pens. The designs are fun and fashionable for everyone. I have declared to all family members that the Fuchsia Daisies Z-Grip pen is my pen! No touching allowed!

Another Zebra pen that is a favorite of my husbands is the Zebra Sarasa Roller Ball Retractable Gel Pen. He prefers acid free ink for writing documents. The gel in this pen is water-based ink  that is acid-free. The gel delivers a smooth flowing ink that is perfect for document writing.

If you would like to see more Zebra pens such as the Cadoozles mechanical pencils, the Clip-on Pink Ribbon or the Zebra Eco pens made from post-consumer waste stop over to my favorite office supplies store and search Zebra pens. You will be amazed at the large selection of writing instruments.

If you would like to win a Zebra pen including a Z-Mulsion pen check out the giveaway!

Disclosure:
I received the above mentioned product to review from Shoplet.com in exchange for an honest opinion.

 

Birthday Flowers Giveaway!!

I like flowers! I know you like flowers. So, husbands, boy friends, and sons we want flowers. If you have a special occasion that call for flower look no more I have found the perfect flowers. Now check this out. Same Day Flower Delivery.

 

I just love my Birthday Flowers (no, it's not my birthday). They are beautiful, fresh and just a joy to look at. The European Garden Bouquet is arranged with sunflowers, tulips and more. Now of course they will substitute by season. The bouquet also comes with a birthday balloon! The delivery was fast. The flowers are fresh. I have had the bouquet for almost a week now and they are still looking great.

I wish you could smell the roses. What a delight to enjoy.  

 

 

Ordering is online and easy to do. Choose your bouquet, select to add balloons, chocolate or a cuddly teddy bear then enter your zip code. Now select the delivery date. If you would like delivery the same day you must order before 3pm. It's all that simple.

If you know someone who needs a pick me up then why not order some beautiful flowers to brighten their day. Any occasion is the perfect occasion for flowers!

How would you like to win this beautiful bouquet and birthday balloon? Enter on the raffle copter below. Very easy entries.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review: The Hungry Freelancer

 

Author: Beth Jones

When I was given the opportunity to review this book I thought it might be a good learning experience. So of course I decided to apply for the review. I enjoy blog writing, So perhaps I would like freelance writing.

I found the book to be very interesting. The objective of the book is to help a writer to break into and succeed in the world of freelance writing. I imagine a few of my readers that are blog writers might be interested in this topic.

 

Contents:

1.      The Art of Storytelling

2.      “Writer” VS” Author”

3.      Where to Start

4.      How to Find (and Keep) Clients

5.      Making Money

6.      Writing it Down

The first chapter covers “The Art of Storytelling”. In this chapter you will learn a few ways to develop your storytelling skills. This chapter also shares the education or skills you may need to be hired as a freelance writer.  

In chapter three you will learn about content mills and other ways that freelancers make money.

There is much more to learn is this book. I will not be sharing all her secrets. If you would like to read more about the author Beth Jones visit her blog, “The Hungry Freelancer”. If you would like purchase this title you can find it on Amazon.

Other titles by Beth Jones are, The Coupon Diet, Far Away Friends and Thing to Talk About Before You Get Married.

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Wordless Wednesday



Always Remembered

 

 



Free Photo Calendar! Hurry!!

Customize the calander with icons, text, photos and themed designs for a perfect and unique look. Add up to 13 of your favorite photos for FREE.

Just pay shipping. Ships in a little as three days. This would make a great gift!

Painting A Kitchen Counter

Here I go again! My kitchen is coming along. At least I think I am getting to the point where I am going to enjoy working in my kitchen again. since I thought about painting my floor I have been looking for more budget friendly make overs for my kitchen. Then I saw painted counter tops on Pinterest.

Source: creativekristi.com via Grandmabonnie on Pinterest

Source: go.tipjunkie.com via Grandmabonnie on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

Source: stonesoupforfive.blogspot.com via Grandmabonnie on Pinterest

What do you think? Should I try this? If I don't like the results I might be able to get new counter tops! Am I getting a little too brave?