Sweet Gift Card Giveaway Plus Cookies!! (An Early Valentine's Day Giveaway)


I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready for an exciting new year! I am happy to get the year started with a fun new giveaway that will help with grocery shopping,, bring some yummy treats your way (just in time for Valentine's Day!) and  make sharing these treats and new memories easy-peasy!


Betty Crocker, GladWare® and the Safeway Family of Stores, wants to keep the warmth and spirit of the holidays going in homes everywhere all year long. And so they have decided to give one lucky reader of HHF a wonderful gift basket that includes a $25 gift card for shopping at Safeway, Dominick’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, and/or Genuardi’s, plus a package of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix, a GladWare sample pack. Perfect for baking some yummy Valentine's Day cookies!!


We received a gift pack ourselves for review. Can I just gush about how excited I get over new storage containers-- and the new GladWare I received just had me grinning from ear to ear. Really--just ask the hubby! Of course my kids wanted to start baking cookies right away, and since our package arrived during Christmas week, we made some extra special cookies just for Santa! We saved some for our family's Christmas Eve party as well, where I happily put my new GladWare to good use (Grinning!)

ENTER TO WIN A GIFT CARD AND GOODIES GIFT BASKET!!


Leave me a comment sharing your favorite memory from this holiday season! That is it! I cannot wait to hear how everyone's holidays were (smile) Please leave a valid email with your comment. Note: this is a mandatory entry requirement.

EXTRA ENTRIES


1. Visit BakeSweetMemories.com and leave me a comment telling me which recipe you would love to bake.  (3 extra entries)


2. Play the Sweet Memories Game at BakeSweetMemories.com and let me know if you win a prize, and which one!! (Make me jealous...go ahead, I can take it, hehe) (3 extra entries)


3. Become a subscriber of Happy Healthy Families. (3 extra entries)


4. Like Happy Healthy Families on Facebook. (3 extra entries)


5. Tweet this giveaway (one extra entry each daily tweet)


6. Follow Happy Healthy Families on Twitter. (3 extra entries)


7. Join Google Friend Connect on Happy Healthy Families. (3 extra entries)


8. Post about this giveaway on your blog or on facebook. Leave me the url in a separate comment. (5 extra entries)




**This giveaway will end on Jan. 14th at 11:59 EST. I will be posting the winner here on the blog shortly thereafter. Please check back to see if you won-- I am having trouble with emails I send to winners going to spam mailboxes and not getting confirmations. Therefore I am going to just be posting winners here and once posted, winners will have 3 days to confirm.**i


**disclosure: I was provided a $25 gift card, information and prize pack by Safeway, Betty Crocker, and Glad through MyBlogSpark.







Need a Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Idea? Two Books To Check Out!



So of course just after I proclaim I will be absent from my blog 'till the holidays are over....I change my mind and come running back! But I did want to share a couple of book reviews with you--maybe even give you a last minute gift/stocking stuffer idea.

First is the amazing Entertain Like a Gentleman, by David Harap. Chock full of delicious recipes, this is a perfect gift for anyone on your list that loves to entertain! I am not such a great cook, but I found myself wishing I had some extra time to try out some of the interesting recipes David has shared. And he even breaks down entertaining 101 into specific events such as Scotch tasting, super bowl/march madness, cheese and wine party, the initial flame, pool party, tailgating in style, Octoberfest, cooking with kids,  date night, romantic dinnera , breakfast in bed, brunch with the in-laws, cocktail party finger food, and poker night with the boys. He also includes a shopping list index to make shopping for ingredients more simple. I know this book is aimed towards men, and yes, it is perfect for the man who needs some step by step guidance in the kitchen, but really, I think just about anyone would love reading it. There are tips and secrets throughout the book that will make even the most novice host feel ready to take on a party for family and friends!



Next is a book for the teen in your life: Aurora Fee.  Let me start by pointing out that the author of Aurora Fee, Megan Barnes, was only 17 when she wrote this book and had it published! I find that inspiring and could not wait to share this with my 13 year old daughter. The story follows Aurora who at 16 has her life changed in a complicated way, to say the least, when she finds she is a shape shifter-- and can change from human form to that of a cat.

My daughter loved this book, and basically had it in her hands from the time she started reading it to the time she finished. Though shape shifting is a big part of the story, it also follows Aurora's daily struggles being a teen and dealing with normal teen situations such as school, friends, falling in love, etc. This would be a perfect stocking stuffer for young teens and even pre-teens. My daughter gave it two thumbs up!


I received each book for review from Parent Reviewers. No compensation was received for these reviews, and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Happy Christmas Week!



I have been a bad bloggy mommy--I have neglected my blogs, especially this one, and all I can say is--oops. Between the kids being home for Christmas vacation, shopping, wrapping and even a little blog burn-out, I have just not been fitting in time for posting.

While I do not see this changing this week, or even next, I do plan to get back to regular posting asap with hopefully a renewed energy, LOL. I have some ideas bouncing around in my head for HHF, and hope to make some fun new changes in this coming New Year!!

So for now, I wish everyone a safe, happy family-filled holiday --enjoy this week as I hope to--the kids grow so fast and time passes so quickly. Take time to make an extra batch of cookies, watch another holiday show, enjoy the fireplace and most of all, hug those kids and memorize every smile on their excited faces this week!

Be back soon!

FaLaLaLa....A Shopping We Will Go!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? If you have, please do not gloat, for you see, I have so not finished mine! But I am happy to report that my estimated close of shopping date is Monday December 20. That is when my kids start their Christmas vacations from school, and shopping for holiday gifts will become pretty much impossible after that date.

Thank goodness for Pier 1. This is about my favorite place to shop when my list gets down to close family and friends. I can find something for just about everyone on my shopping list. The only problem is that I always want to keep what I get for myself!

For example, this cute scarf would look so cute on me.....

 

and who would not want these adorable photo holders?

 

 

So you can see my dilemma, right?  Seriously, check out this Pink Purse and Shoe Mug....

 

Now would it really be so wrong of me to keep this for myself instead of giving it to my son's teacher?? I mean, you can understand the temptation, right?

 

So if a present or two goes missing from under our Christmas tree, I seriously will not have a clue as to where they went. Maybe the dog snatched them. That will be my story. And I will be sticking to it.

Pier 1 Imports is not only a great place to find last minute Christmas gifts, they are also spreading Christmas Cheer  this season to kids everywhere: Please like  Pier 1 Imports on Facebook. For every new fan they get, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots. Thank you!!

Happy Holidays!

Visit Sponsor's Site

Stressfully Happy This Holiday Season!

I am stressing...which is not really a new thing for me...but I sure would love to enjoy a holiday just once that was stress-free! I am behind on my shopping and behind on my decorating (again-nothing new here.) The kids will be underfoot pretty much now until Christmas, and so I need to find a way to get the things done that need to be done.

And I have to let go of the things that I may want to have done, but do not really have to be done.

Other than that, I am excited that it is Christmas. I really am! This is actually my favorite time of year, and I wish it lasted longer than it does. I love seeing my kids' faces so smiley and giggly in anticipation of Santa Claus. I love the lights and cold weather and hot cocoa and sappy Christmas movies.

I am stressfully happy.

Dreaming of a Winter Getaway?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hilton Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you ever dreamed of forgetting the stress and strain of the holidays and escaping with your family on a wonderful holiday vacation? I admit I have on several Christmases past! I mean, can you imagine not worrying about cleaning, cooking and more cleaning, but instead being able to relax and just enjoy the holiday season with your kids?

Branson is offering the perfect getaway for families this holiday season, complete with lots of special magical fun for little ones, from Breakfast with Santa on the weekends, pictures with Santa and the traditional Story Time with Mrs. Claus.. Both the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing are offering fantastic rates as well during the holidays-- up to 50% off from their regular season room rates.

And the holiday fun and relaxation extends far beyond the hotel. Shopping in Branson is a wonderful at any time, but even more so at Christmas, when the decorations and lights will make you feel like you have truly entered a magical kingdom. Between strolling, shopping and enjoying the wonderful restaurants, you will enjoy the holidays like never before. And the memories would be truly a gift that keeps on giving!

Visit Sponsor's Site

HHF Asks: Did You Know?



I haven't posted a "Did You Know" post in a long time, but kind of decided I missed them, so here we go....

Did You Know that apricots can make you less cranky and give you more energy?

Aha! I didn't think so, which is why I thought I had better share this information!

The aroma of Apricots helps release of dopamine and other 'happy' hormones, according to an Aromatherapy study.

So next time you buy a scented candle, try an apricot scented one and test it out. Or maybe try an apricot bath scrub. Or just eat an apricot.

Now you know about the secret power of apricots.

Johnson Baby Oil : Gotta Love It!


Ever since my 'babies' were babies, we have had Johnson Baby Oil and Lotions in our home. I have always loved their soft rich lotion and their oil is wonderful to smooth on just bathed skin that tends to get dry. So I was delighted and then some to be able to review Johnson's new Shea and Cocoa Butter line!


The oil gel formula is wonderful. Thicker and easier to apply than ever, and as always, feels so good on my dry itchy skin. My 13 year old daughter and I both loved the Shea and Cocoa Butter Creamy Oil Lotion--hands down our favorite new choice for our skin. It feels and smells amazing when you put it on. To me it felt as though my skin was drinking it in...especially my very rough elbows!

I love the scent of this new line of oils. I find it soothing and relaxing--almost makes me believe I am at a beach somewhere sipping a Mai Tai.  But I digress. My only complaint is that I had a hard time getting to use the creamy oil lotion, because my daughter kept taking it and hiding it in her room! Now that we have just about finished our sample for review, and she is begging me to buy some more.

Yes, I see some stocking stuffers courtesy of Johnson's Baby Oil coming her way, and actually some just for me as well. After all, we girls need to take care of our skin, and sharing gets old fast!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Johnson’s and received the products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

New Winner For Dean's Dip Week #2 Giveaway!!


I have already drawn the 3 winners for the Dean's Dip Giveaways, and have has two winners respond (and the sponsor tells me that their prize packages should be on the way very soon!) But the winner for week #2 has never confirmed, so today I am drawing a new winner --

drumroll...... and the winner is....

sohamolina said...
I am @sohamolina twitter follower--- Please confirm right away so we can get this last prize package on it's way to you!!

Popchips Winner!!

Thanks so much to all who entered! Congrats to : #91, who said:

ky2here said... Let's be clear - they're all getting eaten quickly. But I'll start with Parmesan and Garlic.

Please look for a confirmation email and confirm quickly --Thanks and enjoy!

Giveaway and Review : Popchips

If your family is anything like mine, then snacks are a staple--a necessity--a must have on hand at all times. But how do  other moms manage to balance keeping grumbling tummies happy, and little bodies (and big bodies too!) healthy?

Enter Popchips! Popchips are a wonderful, tasty crunchy chip that are perfect for munching anytime of day. I was lucky enough to receive a box of different flavored Popchips to review with my snack-happy family, and I am delighted with this new treat. What is the big difference between Popchips and regular potato chips, you ask? These crunchy tasty chips are not fried nor baked like traditional chips. These yummy crunchy snacks are popped! And Popchips have  about 1/2 the fat of fried potato chips, no cholesterol and 0 grams of saturated and 0 grams of trans fat. Now that makes this mom happy.

There are seven flavors to choose from (but if you win this giveaway--you get a box with all flavors to enjoy!):

Original
Barbecue
Sour Cream and Onion
Cheddar Potato
Sea Salt and Vinegar
Salt and Pepper
Parmesean and Garlic

All were delicious, and all were eaten without a crumb to spare, LOL.

The Giveaway

To enter and win a box full of yummy Popchips--  Leave me a comment letting me know which flavor you would most like to try. (Mandatory First Entry. Email must be included with comment.)

Extra Entries:

Like Popchips on Facebook  (3 extra entries)

Follow Popchips on Twitter (3 entries)

Tweet This Giveaway (extra entry for each daily tweet)

Like Happy Healthy Families on Facebook ( 3 entries)

Follow Happy Healthy Families on Twitter. (3 entries)

Subscribe to Happy Healthy Families (3 entries)

Follow Happy Healthy Families on Google Friend Connect (3 entries)

This giveaway will end on Sunday Dec. 5th at 11:59 PM EST --it is a quick one--so hurry! Winner will have 24 hrs. to respond or new winner will be chosen.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Popchips and received a “Get Popped” box of Popchips and a $30 gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

@2023 HappyHealthyFamilies.com. All Rights Reserved.

@2023 HappyHealthyFamilies.com. All Rights Reserved.