Monday, August 31, 2015

Making a Homestead Part 6: Predator Proofing the Chicken Coop

             Hey folks! We've been very busy outdoors, so don't be surprised if you see another one of these posts next week! More than likely it will be to brag about getting our fall garden planted without the aid of a tiller. You've been forewarned. ;) Who says you can't garden on a budget?!
             If this is the first “Making a Homestead” post you're reading, I'll catch you up quickly by saying that our “new” house came with a good sized chicken coop...Unfortunately, it's not been used for its intended purpose for quite awhile and time has not been kind to parts of it. Needless to say, it needs some predator proofing before we get any chickies residing in it.
             With all of the spare “crap” we've been finding left behind in the garages and barn, we've not spent anything on the work we have done to the chicken coop so far. (And by “we” I mean John. Lol) Technically, I think the boards he used were ours from another project as well as the hardware cloth, but for all intents and purposes we'll say everything has been free. ;) We did find the chicken wire in the barn!
             So far we've been trying to cover the obvious areas that needed some attention, such as the gaps along the bottom and the open windows...


             As far as obvious things go, we still need to make a door out of any of the numerous leftover pieces of plywood, old doors, or table we have laying around. John also plans on putting chicken wire along the cracks on the outside. (top left) Then we should be able to start on the actual “chicken needs”, like roosting bars and nesting boxes. It shouldn't be too much work, but I have to admit I'm kind of sad we probably won't be getting any chickies this year. At least that gives us time to pimp their coop out, right? Ha ha

Sunday, August 30, 2015

KleenSlate Concepts Hand-held Whiteboard Giveaway

kleenslateaugust2015 

            If you are a parent, homeschooler, or teacher, you'll love KleenSlate Concepts.
Dedicated to supporting education, KleenSlate Concepts offers a line of award-winning, teacher invented (and endorsed) dry erase products that are engaging, fun, and durable! Their hand-held, customizable whiteboards are designed to be used with clear or interchangeable graphic templates and are the perfect way to get students to actively participate in learning! Their dry erase markers are non-toxic, low-odor markers and even come with convenient eraser caps! This learning kit captivates kids and gives new meaning to hands-on learning!
            The different ways to incorporate KleenSlate Concepts dry erase products into a curriculum are endless. And, KleenSlate Concepts even offers FREE Teacher's Choice Templates with downloadable links to over 20 different templates that coordinate with their dry erase boards. These templates were designed by teachers and are a great resource for teaching time, math, geography, music, the calendar, how to fill out a checkbook and register, and so much more! And, if you have an idea you'd like to see, you can make suggestions for new dry erase templates too!
            Can you imagine all the possibilities? KleenSlate Concepts values education and appreciates the Teacher by offering products that encourage students to engage with dynamic tools in the classroom! Right now, there is big savings to be had to celebrate Back To School too!

kleenslate1 

            Wouldn't you love to win a KleenSlate Concepts Classroom Set of 24 hand-held, double-sided, whiteboard paddles with dry erase sleeves, double sided graphic organizers, markers with eraser caps, and a microfiber cleaning cloth for you child's class? We've joined together with Saving Common Cents to bring you this great giveaway!
            Be sure to enter below for your chance to win a set and show your support for your child's education!
Happy Back To School and good luck!

Entry-Form

Mixed Bag Mama was not compensated for this post or responsible for prize shipment. This giveaway is not affiliated with any social media platform, including, but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. 

Friday, August 28, 2015

$100 PinkBlush Maternity Gift Card Giveaway

PinkBlush Maternity $100 Gift Card Giveaway

I have to admit that with my first pregnancy I didn't see the big deal about getting a bunch of maternity clothes, only the necessary pants. With this one, I wish I had more maternity clothes! So, I'm excited to bring you this giveaway so that hopefully one of you who is needing some nice, but better fitting, clothing will benefit from winning this giveaway. Good luck!

PinkBlush is a family run business whose goal is to provide women with stylish yet comfortable and affordable clothing options for both pregnancy and beyond. They offer free shipping for orders over $50 for customers in the U.S. and free exchanges so you're happy with what you're buying. Marissa from Mommy Knows What's Best is expecting Baby #4, and she was given the opportunity to review some trendy maternity clothes from PinkBlush Maternity. Read her review and see the clothes she chose here. PinkBlush has decided to giveaway a $100 gift card to one of you!

About the Giveaway

Begins: August 28th 1:00 am Ends: September 12th 11:59 pm Who Can Enter: US, 18+ Don’t forget! Come back each day to complete the daily entries! To enter this giveaway, complete the form below. Good Luck!
Entry-Form

Disclaimer: Giveaway begins 8/28/15 and ends 9/12/15. Mixed Bag Mama is not responsible for prize fulfillment. One entrant/email per household. One winner will be chosen randomly. Void where prohibited. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram are in no way affiliated with this giveaway. If you have any questions, please email Marissa at MommyKnowsWhatsBest (at) gmail.com. 

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Baby Update: It's a...

             Hey folks! It's hard to believe that I'm already halfway through this pregnancy! I think all of the waiting to move, actual moving, and settling in has made this one fly by.
We had our anatomy scan Wednesday which, I don't know about you, I always think is the most exciting part of pregnancy, other than actually having the baby! Everything is great with baby #2 so far and, other than getting to see our squirmy, but shy, little bean, we did find out that...


             Yep! We're having another girl! We were both surprised because I was convinced it was a boy, but we're definitely NOT disappointed and still excited. We honestly didn't care which gender it was, but I thought for sure it was a boy! I think I was most surprised because I'm usually right if I have those kinds of feelings about things. Ha ha


             Having another girl will make things so much easier, though. For us, girl names are way easier to choose from, we already have a bunch of girl clothes, and I'm already used to having a girl, amongst other reasons. Plus now we won't catch a bunch of crap for having them in the same bedroom. ;)
             I have to admit, however, I am having some bittersweet feelings now that I know this baby is a girl as well. Had this one been a boy, we probably would have had a third baby. John and I both agree that we don't want to “tempt fate” and possibly end up with three girls. Don't get me wrong. Two is fine, but I don't think I would have the patience for three, especially in the teenage years. O.o To be fair, I always said that I couldn't handle having three boys either.
             With that being said, I'm kind of sad that this will be the last time I'm pregnant. I told John yesterday that it seemed like it took forever to have Myka (a little over 3 years) and now all of a sudden I'm almost done with babies completely. What the heck?! How did that happen?
             Knock on wood, I'm also one of those weirdos who loves the baby stage because Myka was soooo easy. Therefore I'm also kind of sad that this will be the last time I get to enjoy baby snuggles and my little one not being able to get away from me yet. ;) But, who knows. This pregnancy has been so different than my first that I have a feeling this little girl will be quite different than her sister and she may end up making me thankful that I don't have to go through the baby stage again. Ha ha

When did you know you were done having babies? Or have you reached that point yet?

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

My Friend Cayla Giveaway

The bloggers promoting this giveaway were not compensated for this post.  

My Friend Cayla Giveaway

myfriendcaylabutton  

Host: Here We Go Again Ready

Sponsor: My Friend Cayla

Co-hosts: IMHO Views, Reviews and Giveaways, MamatheFox, Sweepstakes Fanatics

            If you have a child that loves dolls you have to check out My Friend Cayla! My daughter loves My Friend Cayla, she takes her everywhere! I love that she interacts through bluetooth. Read the full review here.  
            One lucky reader will win their very own My Friend Cayla! This giveaway is US, 18 or older. Only one entrant per household. Giveaway ends on 9/14 11:59 PM EST . Winner will be notified by email and has 24 hours to respond. If there is no response during that time a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck Everyone!!! 
 
The bloggers promoting this giveaway are not responsible for prize distribution. The sponsor will be responsible to distribute the prize. This contest is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Making a Homestead Part 5: Making a Lawn Mower Wagon

             Hey folks! Long story short, it's been a long time since I've had a new post because we finally moved and we've been without internet! We ended up having to switch providers at our new place, neither one of us could seem to find the time to call them, and blah blah blah, but here we are finally. I can stop having internet withdrawals. ;)
             We've been up to a lot it seems like since moving at the beginning of August. Who knows when I'll get this posted since, as usual, I'm writing it beforehand and we still don't actually have internet as I'm writing, BUT, we've been productive little country beavers already. We got our unpacking done surprisingly fast. I think subconsciously we both wanted to get to the outdoor stuff since we both enjoy it more. Ha ha
             We got lucky and one of my aunts let us have their riding lawn mower for free since part of it was broken, but mostly they just didn't need it any more since they are moving as well. Even luckier, it was an easy fix (have I mentioned John is really good at fixing things?). It still technically needs some spring, but at least it is working and the yard is under control. It was a bit of a jungle. Speaking of lawn mower, let me get to the point of this post before I ramble too much...
             The previous owners left a LOT of stuff in one of the garages, barn, and even in the attic. While it's still mostly annoying since we'll have to go through it eventually, we (again, especially John) have a knack for finding things to do with random junk. This weekend someone got the idea to make a cart for the lawn mower out of a bunch of scrap and leftover wood. It's amazing what you can make with free or cheap stuff!

Taking the "rough" cart for a test drive. So far it's mostly an old wood pallet and some old tires we found in the barn.
Because the pallet wood was rougher than John had thought, he put some plywood down on top of it that we had left over from fixing the kitchen floor. We've been doing a lot of "brush management", if you will, so the sticks were plentiful.
Finishing touches with more wood we had left over from fixing things on the house. The boards and sticks are screwed together and the sticks fit into holes in the plywood so that we can take any of the sides off whenever we need. Handy!

             As you can hopefully see, it was relatively simple to make and has come in quite handy already in the past week! Have you done any projects where you turned junk into something useful? Stay tuned for our next homesteading post, which will be about us critter proofing the pre-existing chicken coop!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Lego Prize Pack Giveaway


LEGO is one of the most popular toys on the market. It is also one of the most expensive items in the toy department! Right now, we are giving away a LEGO prize pack. One winner will score $50 worth of LEGO toys - all you have to do is tell us what the winner would like to build! So go ahead and enter our giveaway in the rafflecopter below.

Sponsored by MommyOnTheMoney.com

WHY are we giving away LEGO??

Kristi, over at MommyOnTheMoney.com, grew up building with LEGO and built professionally as a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder a few years back. She realized that there is NEVER such thing as too much LEGO!



The MommyOnTheMoney crew has just organized a building area for their son who has gotten into Chima, Ninjago, and Bionicle. They are also getting ready to build some more DUPLO Train Layouts with the baby.


 Not only is LEGO their favorite toy, but it encourages creative play, math skills, imagination, manual dexterity, and infinite possibilities limited only by ones LEGO collection.

Check out their LEGO Cake Plate!


Well, whether you are working on a castle or a space ship, we want to help ONE lucky winner get a bump in their LEGO collection with a $50 LEGO prize pack. We LOVE giving away LEGO!

Just tell us what you want to build in the Rafflecopter form below...

Enter our LEGO Giveaway!!!

If your family is building with LEGO or just dreaming about it, enter our giveaway for a $50 prize pack of LEGO set(s).

RULES:
ONE winner will receive a $50 LEGO Prize Pack. 
The giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18+ years old.
Ends 9/5/2015

 GOOD LUCK Everyone!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Winner will be chosen randomly, entry verified, and notified via email used to sign in. Failure to respond within 48 hours forfeits the prize. MommyOnTheMoney.com is solely responsible for awarding the prize. The prize will be shipped directly from Amazon.com. MommyOnTheMoney.com reserves the right to substitute a gift card for the $50 value of the prize if necessary due to shipping/delivery issues that may arise. This giveaway is in NO way sponsored or affiliated with LEGO, LEGOLAND Parks or ANY other brand besides MommyOnTheMoney.com. This giveaway is not affiliated with any social media platform, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Reasons I'm Looking Forward to Moving

            Hey folks! Since we've been waiting to move for 3 months now, there's been a lot of "I'm going to enjoy *this* when we move" or "I'm not going to miss *this* at all" talk around here lately. So, I thought I'd make a list of things I'm looking forward to after we move, like I did when we moved from Arkansas back to Indiana. (You can find both of those posts here and here.)


1) I can't wait to have a decent sized kitchen again, with plenty of counter space and cabinets! Apartment kitchens are not made for families...or people who enjoy baking. (See above. There is only one other section of counter space.)
2) Having room for Myka to run around, inside and out. Hopefully this will keep her from driving me as crazy as well!
3) Peace and quiet! I hate living in towns, even if they're small ones. I don't enjoy listening to other people mowing their lawn or driving their big, redneck mudding trucks, etc. etc. #smalltownproblems
4) Being closer to a lot of parks. I miss hiking.
5) The closest mom group I found on meetup.com for where we're moving seems to do a lot more activities that Myka and I enjoy than the one here.
6) Being able to start school stuff with Myka again.
7) Being able to plant a garden and orchard!
8) Being able to start on the extensive to-do list I seem to be formulating in my head for after we move, like trying out a bunch of recipes for items we buy from the store often.
9) I'm REALLY looking forward to being able to use MY washer and dryer again. We have this monstrosity below in our apartment and it is THE worst washer/dryer ever! The dryer wouldn't be so bad if it didn't occasionally decide to try and eat our clothes. There is nothing good about the washer. I wouldn't even say it really washes the clothes, it's tiny as hell, and it stinks, even after we've tried to clean it and leave the door open while it's not in use. Have I mentioned that I really hate this thing?!


10) I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but last, but not least, I'm looking forward to not moving again for a very, very long time!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Short Update

            Hey folks! I feel like those of you who have stuck with me this long deserved a little update, so here we go! As I've mentioned, I've been kind of out of the writing mood over the past few months due to early pregnancy blahs and being stuck in "house buying limbo", if you will. The bad news is I still have several annoying early pregnancy symptoms hanging around even though I'm in the second trimester now and almost 16 weeks along. The good news is we are finally supposed to close on our new house this Friday!
            I won't go into all of the shenanigans we've had to deal with as far as the house goes since I have other posts on it, but we have been waiting for 3 months to finally move. Needless to say, we're excited, ready to get it over with, and ready to move on with our lives. It feels like we've been putting a lot of things on hold over the past few months. Well, except for that one thing...


            Technically, "that one thing" happened before all of the house nonsense. ha ha I'm almost embarrassed to even say how far along I am because I look huge in this picture. To be honest, though, I was overweight to begin with and this is a maternity shirt, so there's that. (Also, you see now why I don't show pictures of myself very often!)
            So, to keep this short (for me anyways ;) ), things will still be quiet around here for a couple of weeks at the least, I'm sure, while we get moved and settled. After that I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things. I've been dying to do some more reviews and giveaways (hopefully for some fun pregnancy/baby items!) and homeschooling type posts, so stay tuned and thanks for sticking around!

Friday, July 24, 2015

Let's Cook! Giveaway

Don't miss your chance to #Win over $400 in prizes in the #LetsCook #Giveaway Enter before it ends 8/23
Let's Cook! Giveaway

Grand Prize Package Worth Over $300
Second Place Worth Over $100


Enter to Win One of These Two Incredible Prize Packages!
Either One Would Make the Perfect Gift for Newlyweds, College Freshmen, or that Hard to Buy for Cook on Your List

There's Even Something For the Littlest Cook on Your List!


LOOK AT ALL THE GREAT PRIZES
YOU COULD WIN!
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BYB E-41 Series Clip-on 4 LED Light
BYB E-41 Series Clip-on 4 LED Light
  • ★ BONUS AND UPGRADED. Free AC Adapter, USB cord, Multifunction Clean Cloth Included. Featuring the Rechargeable 1000mAh Lithium Ion built in battery, NO MORE BUYING BATTERIES!
  • ★ MULTIPLE, CLIP-ON OR FREE STANDING. Fully Adjustable and Light Weight, Folds Into an Easy-to-carry Accessory Making Travelling with This Light So Convenient. Perfect for Your Guitar Accessories Kit, Students Dorm Room, Music Rehearsals or for Those Away Trips for Work. Charge Your New LED Light with the USB Charge Cable or the BONUS FREE AC Adaptor
  • ★ HIGH QUALITY AND SUPER BRIGHT 8 LEDs. 2 LEVELS of BRIGHTNESS, Equiped with 2*4 World Class LED Chips, Super Brightness, The Optical Grade Lens Provides Evenly Distributed Light with No Hot Spots
  • ★ LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT. Clips to Your Hard Cover Books, Sheet Music Stand, Craft Table, Work Bench, Bed Headboard (maximum 1 inch in thickness) or Laptop. Great for Music Stands, Pianos, Orchestra Pits, Reading, Work Tables, Mixing Tables, Craft Tables etc. It truly is a multi-purpose light for so many things. Can you think of one that you would use it for? Easily Bends to Compact Position for Storage, Extra Strong Clip Grips Almost Anything or Use it Free Standing
  • ★ LIFETIME WARRANTY - 100% Money Back Guarantee - RACK YOUR BRAIN FOR A GIFT ? CHOOSE IT ! You Won't Find Another Better - Get More Than Your Expected !

My Thoughts:
These easy to position and reposition lights are perfect for getting more light where you need it. The nice size of the clip makes it simple to attach to the side of a bowl, a cabinet handle, a book, grill, or just about anywhere that you want. I don't have enough light under my cabinets at night so I found it very helpful to clip this light onto my cutting board while doing prep for dinner the other night. I found the well built clip to be strong and that the lights stayed in the position that I set them at.
Set of 6 1EasyLife Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
Set of 6 1EasyLife Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
  • ★ MAKING A PERFECT DISH WILL NEVER BE A DOWNFALL. Preparing a dish requires following direction and right measurement, Luckily with 1Easylife Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons cooking will be quick and gives you an accurate measure for recipes without the hassle
  • ★ SAY NO TO COOKING NIGHTMARES. Introducing the elegant and stylish measuring spoons, A perfect set of 6 stainless steel, highly satin brushed with best quality, Look amazing and easy to clean plus the weight handle making measuring out dry ingredients easy and accurate measure marking in different spoon sizes. long lasting and durable and used by professionals.
  • ★ WHY IT IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR YOUR KITCHENS. Refine measurement- ensure Perfect food taste every time Accurate balance - round-shaped spoon heads and perfectly weighted handles, high grade satin brushed stainless steel finish for a long life - no to rust! All around measuring tools - measure dry and liquid ingredients! Engrave US metric Measurement
  • ★ YOUR FAVORITE MEASURING INGREDIENTS. The 6-piece 1Easylife Stainless-Steel Measuring Spoon Set is designed with innovative round-shaped spoon heads that reach into narrow spice jars and other small containers. These spoons are conveniently connected by a small ring which helps to keep the spoons together as a set after a full day of baking or cooking. 1Easylife includes 6 measuring sizes: 1/8-tsp, 1/4-tsp, 1/2-tsp, 1-tsp, 1/2-Tbsp. and 1-Tbsp. With each measurement conveniently marked on the handle of each spoon, there's no guesswork when adding spices to your dishes. Dishwasher-safe.
  • ★ NO HASSLE, 100% LIFE TIME WARRANTY. We offer 100% life time warranty to make you happy and satisfied with our product, If for any reason you're not completely satisfied, return your Stainless Steel Measuring Cups for a No Questions Asked full refund.

My Thoughts:
I've have had a set of name brand plastic measuring spoons since I set up house keeping more than twenty years ago. Getting me to part with them wasn't going to be easy, but always willing to try new things I gave these a test drive. I found the 1Easlife measuring spoons to be nicely weighted and with the length of the handles I was able to reach into containers with ease. I really like that they take up much less space than my old set and are much easier to get clean. After comparing the two it may be time to retire my old ones.
Instant Read Digital Cooking Thermometer by Chef DeTemple
Instant Read Digital Cooking Thermometer by Chef DeTemple
  • PREVENT OVERCOOKING - Don't ruin an elegant meal or backyard barbecue by serving dry, tough, overcooked meat. If you only use cooking time to determine doneness, you could end up with some pieces being cooked perfectly and others over or underdone - not to mention burnt! You can easily avoid this by using a meat thermometer. When cooked to the proper temperature, meat will stay juicy and tender.
  • PREVENT ILLNESS - Using a food thermometer greatly reduces your risk of foodborne illness associated with bacteria. The harmful bacteria found in contaminated food can only survive up to a certain temperature, and using a food thermometer is the only way to be 100-percent sure that your food is safe to eat.
  • EASY TO USE - Large LCD display for easy-to-read numbers - No More Squinting! Function buttons include On/Off, Hold and °C/°F conversion. Auto shut-off after 10 minutes saves battery life. Uses (1) AAA battery.
  • MEASURING RANGE AND ACCURACY - Instant read in only 4-7 seconds accurately measuring range of temperatures between -58°F-572°F (-50°C-300°C). Long stainless steel probe to keep your hands safe from heat!
  • MONEY BACK GUARANTEE AND LIFETIME WARRANTY - When you order today, you are protected by our no-questions-asked Money Back Guarantee and World Class Customer Service!

My Thoughts:
My thermometer arrived the day I was making fried green tomatoes so I used it to make sure that my oil was at the proper temperature. If it's to cold the tomatoes get mushy before the breading gets brown and if it's to hot the outside  burns and the tomatoes are hard. I had bragged to my west coast boyfriend how awesome mine were so getting it right was important. My reputation as a southern cook was on the line! I found that this thermometer was easy to use. I just put one AAA battery in it, turned it on, and flipped open the probe. When I placed the tip in the oil I had a reading in seconds and with the nice big readout I didn't need my glasses to see it. I am very happy with this product and would recommend it to anyone with confidence.
Wood Chef Hand-crafted Ripple-cut Gourmet Cheese Slicer
Wood Chef Hand-crafted Ripple-cut Gourmet Cheese Slicer
  • Cutting tool for cheese that gives the cheese a wavy texture
  • Smoothly cuts thick or thin slices
  • Comfortable grip is easy to use
  • Durable and replaceable stainless steel wire with adjustable tension
  • Carefully handmade in the USA from beautiful, natural wood/brass/stainless steel.
  • Adjustable tension, stainless steel wire stays tight to carve neat, enticing, wavy slices every time.
  • Comfortable grip for all ages, hand-held, light-weight, and simple to use.
  • Thin or thick slices carved, depending on how you angle the slicer into the cheese.
  • Safe for children. No sharp edges.
  • Makes snacking and eating fun!
  • Perfect tool for creating sandwiches, pizza, crackers, snacks, use at parties and picnics. . .
  • Awesome gift at low cost for Christmas presents, birthdays, weddings, office, or any special occasion.
  • Gift Box comes with each one for convenient storage.
  • Durable quality will last for years and won't wear out.
  • Choose from wild cherry wood, black walnut, or try both!

My Thoughts:
With so many of or utensils now having plastic composite handles I hold onto my old ones that have real handles and find myself going back to using them. I just love the feel of wood and have been known to spend a lot of money just to purchase one brand of knife that has a wood handle. So when my cheese slicer arrived I couldn't wait to test it. It works for all types of cheese so I got out some block cheese that I had in the fridge to see how well it worked and felt in my hand.  It worked wonderfully and what fun slices! We often do cheese and fruit for snacks and since it is safe for the little ones to use I can't wait for my grandchildren to come over at use it to make their own fun snacks.
Bitpsy Professional Jumbo Lemon Squeezer
Bitpsy Professional Jumbo Lemon Squeezer
  • HIGH QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL - This Premium Lemon squeezer made out of the strongest material available and WILL NOT BREAK when squeezing. This hand polished Citrus Juicer will not peel or rust.
  • SO EASY TO USE - No matter if you choose to squeeze lemons, limes or blood oranges, this Btipsy Lemon Squeezer will make your job so easy. Fits for both kids and old men, This Squeezer is so convenient to use and with an effortless squeeze you can get every bit of juice out of the fruit.
  • EASY TO CLEAN - Once finished using the Lemon Juicer, it's very easy to clean it by hand or just placing it inside the dishwasher since this Lemon Squeezer is DISHWASHER SAFE. So feel free to clean it whatever you'd like.
  • RISK FREE - With a 3 YEARS WARRANTY, we are committed to our 100% customer satisfaction so if you find that you are not

My Thoughts:
The all metal construction makes this juicer strong and durable. Plus, since it is made out of stainless steel I get longevity and don't have to worry about it rusting. With a very small kitchen I have very limited drawer space in my home. The hook makes it easy to hang off off one of my many cup hooks that are on every open spot in my kitchen. We eat a lot of fish and salads that we use fresh squeezed lemon and orange for and having it hanging and not hidden in a drawer keeps it handy. I found that the nice big handles were easy to grasp and squeeze so that I could get all the juice out.
Eco Bamboo Cutting Board with Handle
Eco Bamboo Cutting Board with Handle
  • This eco friendly cutting board can handle just about everything in your kitchen, from slicing cheese to carving bone-in beef roasts.
  • Highly durable. Made with premium, hand selected odor-resistant organic bamboo, harder than maple wood
  • Durable stainless steel handle for easy grip
  • Made from 100% high quality antimicrobial recyclable bamboo with Non-Toxic food grade adhesive - starch from a sweet potato
  • Easy to clean and maintain - Easily wash and clean off bacteria and food particles with some hot water and soap then let it air dry.

My Thoughts:
In the last few years, bamboo has become one of the most popular materials for cutting boards because of it's low maintenance, superior health and sanitation qualities. Not only does it look good but it is a green, renewable and earth friendly material. The hardness of a bamboo cutting board, plus the fact that it very resistant to bacteria makes it a must have in my kitchen. I tested my new board by cutting some yellow squash, zucchini, and cucumbers with a brand new ceramic knife and could not find one mark from doing it. All you have to do is make a habit of never letting it soak and wiping it dry after washing  and with this easy, proper care this board will stay beautiful for years.
VOS Professional Classic 8 Inch Ceramic Chef's Knife
VOS Professional Classic 8 Inch Ceramic Chef's Knife

  • Sharpness - Our ultra-sharp advanced ceramic blade will retain its original sharpness up to 15 times longer than steel blades.
  • Purity - Rust-proof, will never brown foods, impervious to acids and oils, no metallic taste or smell. Advanced ceramic is a pure & healthy alternative.
  • Lightweight - Typically half the weight of metal-based knives, offers total ease of use with the most difficult cutting tasks. Ergonomic handles produce a well-balanced, highly controlled grip.
  • Easy to Clean - The fact that advanced ceramic does not absorb any food element, allows just a quick rinse and wipe with a kitchen towel.
  • 8 Inch Chef Ceramic knife For slicing fruits, vegetables and boneless meats.

My Thoughts:
This is my first ceramic knife so I wanted to know what some of the advantages of a ceramic knife were. I found out that they include hardness, ceramic is second only to diamonds; weight, it's much lighter than metal; durability, because these knives keep their razor sharp edge and will not wear out like metal; no metal means no rust; and the ability to resist stains and odors. Because each ceramic knife goes through a long manufacturing process which makes it high end you can expect quality and longevity from your knife. I tested my new ceramic knife by cutting some yellow squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. Even with difficulties from injuries with my hands I found the handle was very easy to hold and grip. It sliced the veggies with ease and with very little pressure from me. With my garden producing lots of vegetables this will be my new go to knife for prepping them. 

The Learning Journey Play and Learn Shopping Basket Playset
The Learning Journey Play and Learn Shopping Basket Playset
Kids can enjoy the complete shopping experience with the Play & Learn Shopping Basket! Our kid-sized Shopping Basket is easy to carry with its lightweight plastic construction and big handles. Fun Accessories include a variety of plastic and cardboard food items. Ages 3+ years.
  • 24 plastic and cardboard play food items
  • Large handles for easy carrying
  • Encourages imagination
  • Durable, lightweight plastic construction

My Thoughts:
This is perfect for getting  the little cook in your home playing, imagining, and creating. The basket is made from thick plastic making it strong and durable. The food that comes with it is sure to keep them entertained for hours. I've ordered many imaginary milk shakes and french fries playing drive thru with my grandchildren so I know they are going to love playing grocery with all these fun items. I really like the bright and bold colors. They are very appealing and fun.
Elegant Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
Elegant Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
  • HIGH QUALITY GLASS AND STAINLESS STEEL GRINDER SET This glass and stainless steel salt and pepper grinder set features a modern design and is stylish and elegant enough for kitchen-to-table use! Each set contains one salt grinder and one pepper grinder which can hold 3/4 cup of salt, peppercorns or any other spice, in its generously sized glass reservoir. *Salt and pepper not included.
  • BUILT FOR CONVENIENCE AND FUNCTION Unlike other grinder sets, this pair has their grinding mechanism on the top of the grinder, ensuring salt and pepper ends up only on your food -- not all over your table. The ceramic grinder is non-corrosive, won't absorb flavors and is easily adjustable from a fine to coarse grind.
  • EASY REFILLING WITH NO MESSES Don't you hate constantly having to refill your salt and pepper grinders? Standing about 5 1/4 inches tall this set is the perfect size to cut down on constant refills without being bulky. When you do have to refill, the clear glass bodies will let you know when it's time! The stainless steel top easily screws off revealing a wide opening for easy and mess-free refills.
  • ELEGANT DESIGN With its brushed stainless steel encasing, glass body and ceramic grinder, this unique duo is a professional, sleek addition to any kitchen, with a stainless steel lid that truly "caps" off this beautiful set. No tacky electrical grinders here means no batteries required--only a few effortless twists with your hand to experience that fresh himalayan salt, pepper, or other spice.
  • CUSTOMER GUARANTEE We're confident you'll love our Dual Refillable Salt & Pepper Grinders. However, if you're not completely satisfied, we'll give you a 100% refund within 90 days of purchase--NO QUESTIONS ASKED. We have the best customer service on Amazon, and YOU, the customer, are our top priority. Add a set to your shopping cart today for a risk-free culinary experience!

My Thoughts:
I just ordered this beautiful set on the twentieth and am so excited to try them. Don't they look amazing? I wasn't able to get them tested before the giveaway deadline but wanted to give two readers a chance to win a set for themselves. Please visit the review here to see what I thought of them.
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Don't miss your chance to #Win over $400 in prizes in the #LetsCook #Giveaway Enter before it ends 8/23

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Dates: July 24th 9 AM Eastern Time - August 23rd 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Grand Prize Package
Set of 6 1EasyLife Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
Chef DeTemple Instant Read Digital Cooking Thermometer
BYB E-41 Series Clip-on 4 LED Light
Blue Iguazu Hand-crafted Ripple-cut Gourmet Cheese Slicer
Bitpsy Stainless Steel Citrus Juicer
CasaQoqo Eco Bamboo Cutting Board with Handle
VOS Professional Ceramic Chef's Knife 8 Inch
The Learning Journey Play and Learn Shopping Basket Playset
Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

Second Prize Package
CasaQoqo Eco Bamboo Cutting Board with Handle
VOS Professional Ceramic Chef's Knife 8 Inch
Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

I would like to give a big Thank You to all the blogs
participating in this giveaway!

GOOD LUCK!
Let's Cook! Giveaway

Disclaimer: PaulaMS' Giveaways, Reviews, and Freebies nor any blog promoting this giveaway, is not responsible for the awarding of the prize. Sponsors are responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is not associated with any social media platform, including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: PaulaMS received the products mentioned above for free to facilitate the writing of the reviews. Some of the links on this blog post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, she only recommend products or services that she uses personally and believe will add value to readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.