Monday, January 31, 2011

Got Giveaways 2/1

Please feel free to link up to as many of your giveaways as you'd like. If you linked up last week and your giveaway is still going on, please link up again!

If you could let other people know that I'm doing this, I'd really appreciate it. It's not mandatory, but it would be great if you could add my button to your blog or send a tweet out to get people here and post their giveaways.

Check out my current giveaways while you're here!
Crisco Mediterranean Prize Pack 2/21


$25 Gift Card To Build-A-Bear 2/21


Alpha And Omega DVD 2/14


Prince Lionheart boosterPOD 2/14


Gift Card To Belly Charms for Jewelry 2/14 US/CAN


Set of FIVE Chuggington Books 2/7

Tassimo T20 Home Brewing System ($129.99 ARV) 2/7
























Please link to the specific post for each giveaway-NOT just your blog! I will delete your link if it does not go directly to the giveaway.

***CLICK HERE for my Daily List of blogs with giveaway linkies.***



 

My 365 Project - Days 24-30

I started my 365 Project this year so that I would make sure to pick up my camera more.  I'll be posting a week of pictures every Monday.

Day 24 - Blueberry Banana Bread

Day 25 - Playing while Evan is at Preschool.

Day 26 - Emptying one of the toy-boxes...guess who cleaned that up.

Day 27 - Chicken Marsala

Day 28 - We had a work party for my hubby that night and I didn't pick up the camera during the day!

Day 29 - This weekend was beautiful so we spent most if it outdoors. We took a little trip to the park on Saturday.

Day 30 - Sunday was 74 and sunny, so we played outside in the Bounce House until it got dark.


Let me know if you're doing this!  I'd love to see your pictures!
 

Valentine's Day - Build-A-Bear Review + $25 Gift Card Giveaway

Have you seen the Valentine's Day collection at Build-A-Bear? The animals are incredibly cute and the clothes are so much fun. We surprised the kids with a trip to Build-A-Bear this weekend and they had such a hard time picking out which animal to make. Here was the display that greeted us as we entered the store.


There were several deals where you got the bear and complete outfit for $29.99, so that is what we did. The Love Bug was just too cute to pass up.  Isabella is really too young to help in this step, but Evan loves helping stuff his animal.

After the animal is stuffed, its time to give it a bath.  We always have to pull Evan away from this step.  He has so much fun pretending to blow-dry and brush his animal.

After the bath it is time to dress and name her. We named her LuLu the Love Bug!

If you're short on time and just want to pick one up, there are plenty that are ready to take home and love!

Visit Build-A-Bear to see the different animals that are available and to learn more.

Win It!!
Build-A-Bear is giving one of my readers a $25 Gift Card!

To enter, visit Build-A-Bear and tell me another animal that you like. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- For TWO extra entries, Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Build-A-Bear.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Build-A-Bear on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: #WIN a $25 Gift Card to @buildabear for #Valentine'sDay @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/4h7epnm #giveaway ends 2/21

5- Become a fan of Build-A-Bear on Facebook.  Leave them a comment while you're there!

6- Place the Pink Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on your blog.

7- Update your facebook status letting your friends know you entered this giveaway with a link to this post. If you use @Dee Twofakind or @Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House in your post, it will tag me(tagging me isn't necessary, but it helps bring your posts to my attention). Update daily for an extra entry each day.

8- Enter any of my current giveaways. One entry for each that you enter.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 21st when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner via email and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US Only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. I was given a Gift Card to use at Build A Bear for the review. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Build A Bear who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

 

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Giveaways Ending MONDAY

Just a quick reminder that these three giveaways END MONDAY. If you're interested in any of them, be sure you've entered! Don't forget about those last minute tweets and other extra entries!

Literati eReader 1/31 US/CAN


$75 Gift Card To Eden Fantasys 1/31 - Open to EVERYONE Worldwide


$50 Green Earth Bamboo Gift Card 1/31(Towels, sheets, clothing, etc)



 

Friday, January 28, 2011

Crisco Mediterranean Inspirations Recipe and Essay Contest + Crisco Prize Pack Giveaway

It has always been a dream of mine to go to Italy. My husband and I absolutely adore Italian food, and make our own versions all the time. Would you like the chance to go to Italy? Now, through March 18th, Crisco is inviting home cooks to submit their favorite recipes in the Crisco Mediterranean Inspirations Recipe and Essay Contest for the chance to win a trip for two to Italy. To get me and my readers inspired, they sent this amazing Prize Pack.

Prize Pack Includes:
  • William Sonoma Marche’ Pasta Bowls, set of 4
  • Three Crisco Olive Oils and Recipe Cards
  • Salt Pig with Scoop
  • Crate & Barrel Bamboo 12″ Spoon
  • Crate & Barrel Herb Scissors
  • Herbs of Tuscany Herb Kit
Want to know how to Win A Trip To Italy? Submit your recipe, with an essay in 100 words or less describing how Crisco Olive Oil inspired your recipe, for your chance to win. Recipes should include one of the three Crisco Olive Oil varieties: Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Crisco Pure Olive Oil or Crisco Light Olive Oil; plus, two ingredients commonly used in Mediterranean-style cooking, including tomatoes, garlic, olives, pasta, yogurt, legumes, fresh herbs, lentils or cheese.


Win It!!
One of my readers will win the same Prize Pack that I received.

To enter, tell me what your favorite Italian meal is. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Crisco.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a Crisco Mediterranean Inspiration Prize @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/6d8fxpd Pasta bowls, bamboo spoon, olive oil, herb garden, etc

6- Place my PINK Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on your blog.

7- Vote for my blog on Picket Fence Blogs(If your vote went through, "You have just voted for Two of A Kind, Working On A Full House! Remember, you can vote every day. Undo Vote
."
will be displayed at the top of the page). You can do this daily for an extra entry each day.

8- Enter any of my current giveaways. One entry for each that you enter.

9- Update your facebook status with a link to this giveaway if you use @Dee Twofakind or @Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House in your post, it will tag me(tagging me isn't necessary, but it helps bring your posts to my attention). Update daily for an extra entry each day.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 21st when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US Only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

 

Chicken Marsala Recipe

I've been wanting to make Chicken Marsala for about a year now, but I just kept forgetting to pick up Marsala. About a month or so ago I called my husband and told him to pick some up on his way home from work because I had mushrooms on hand. He said that it was in the liquor section of our local wine store and a guy that was buying things for dinner told him the "best one" to go with.

The first recipe I tried was good, but I wanted more "sauce" to go over my pasta. The second recipe was good too, but it needed more mushrooms and more sauce. I did a little more research and combined several recipes and made my own revisions last night. If you want sauce for your pasta or mashed potatoes, this recipe is the way to go.

Keep in mind that the only thing I really measured was the Marsala and Sherry, so I'm using my best guess as far as the measurements of each thing that I used.  Also, I used a nonstick pot for this recipe, so I could get by with not using as much butter/olive oil to try and save a few calories.  Feel free to use more or less if you need to.

Ingredients:
-1/3 cup flour for coating
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
-4 chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch(I was running behind and didn't pound much this last time and I really wish I had - don't skip this step)
-3 tablespoon butter, divided
-4 tablespoon olive oil, divided
-4 garlic cloves(you can use more or less)
-(2) 8 ounce packages of mushrooms-sliced(one recipe only called for a cup-for real?)
-1 cup Marsala Wine
-1/3 cup Sherry(not necessary, but I hear Olive Garden uses it)
-1/2-3/4 can of chicken broth(I used fat free/less sodium and started with 1/2 a can, then decided to add a little more)
-Cornstarch
-1/3-1/2 cup whipping cream, half and half, or milk
-Angel Hair Pasta, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Rice, Or whatever "side" you want

Instructions:
Mix flour, salt, pepper, and oregano together in a bowl or bag and coat the chicken breasts.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. I used a zester to "grate" 2 garlic cloves(you can mince, chop, or whatever) into the butter/olive oil because I don't like larger bits of garlic. Place chicken in pot and lightly brown on both sides(I wish this was scratch and sniff-yum).

You can leave the chicken in when it is done, or take it out. I've done it both ways, but find taking it out is easier for the next step. I placed them on a plate until I completed the next step.

Melt another Tablespoon of butter in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. I "grated" 2 more garlic cloves(you can mince or whatever). Place mushrooms into pan, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes(Some people also add onions, but I'm not into it). Pour in Marsala and Sherry. Mix a little cornstarch(maybe a tablespoon) in with chicken broth to thicken the sauce a little. Bring to a simmer and then add whipping cream, half and half, OR milk(I went with whipping cream this time, but may use whole milk next time to save on calories).

Add chicken back in and let it simmer for several minutes. Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.

I was very pleased with how it turned out. This is definitely going in our "regular recipe rotation" because everyone enjoyed it. It was easy and didn't take long to make.  I really like this over garlic mashed potatoes too! Keep in mind that you can use less/more of any ingredient to make it how you like. I was shocked with how many recipes only had a cup or so of Mushrooms.

 

Winners

Here are the winners from the giveaways that ended this week. Another quick reminder that if you don't do the initial entry, your extra entries don't count. Also, be sure to leave your email address in the comment or have it visible on your profile.

The Birds Eye Prize Pack - Includes a $100 American Express Gift Card  giveaway had 4501 comments and the winner is:
Kari

The Morton Salt Prize Pack giveaway had 1635 comments and the winner is:
ColleenMarie82

The Wilton Valentine's Day Cookie Prize Pack giveaway had 1471 comments and the winner is:
Cassie

Congrats to the winners! I have sent and email out to each of you.

 

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Banana Blueberry Bread Recipe

We had some bananas that were left over and too ripe to eat, so I went in search of a recipe to use them with. I wanted to make a bread, but something different than the normal Banana Bread that I make.

I found this recipe from Cooking Light and remembered that I had some blueberries in the freezer from this past summer. The recipe calls for grits, but even though I'm southern and love grits, I didn't want to chance a gritty texture in my bread. I swapped that part out for oats and the bread turned out fantastic!

Ingredients
(makes 1 loaf - 16 slices)
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
* 3/4 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits (I used quick cooking rolled oats)
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 3 tablespoons canola oil
* 1 cup mashed ripe banana(I used two large bananas)
* 3/4 cup blueberries
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* Cooking spray

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, grits oats, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine oil, banana, blueberries, and eggs; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moist.

Spoon batter into an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Mine took about 45 minutes MAX, so be sure to check yours starting at 40 minutes. Cool bread in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan, and cool completely on wire rack(haha....I like my bread warm and NEVER cool it, I dumbed it out on a plate as soon as it came out of the oven.  I let it cool for about 5 minutes so I wouldn't burn my tongue on a blueberry).

I absolutely love this bread. It is my new favorite thing to eat for breakfast and I just bought some more bananas solely for the purpose of having them ripen for this recipe!

Nutritional Information
Calories: 145 (25% from fat)
Fat: 3.6g (sat 0.4g,mono 1.8g,poly 1g)
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrate: 25.9g
Fiber: 1.4g
Cholesterol: 27mg
Iron: 0.9mg
Sodium: 116mg
Calcium: 15mg

 

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Alpha And Omega DVD Review + $50 Discount To Great Wolf Lodge + Giveaway

We have seen the previews for Alpha And Omega on many of Evan's shows and he kept telling me that he wanted to see it. The Blu-ray/DVD was finally released on January 11, 2011 and we were sent a copy.


Synopsis:
Come along on the ultimate road-trip adventure that will leave the whole family howling with laughter! When Kate, a take-charge “Alpha” wolf, and Humphrey, a laid back “Omega” wolf get snatched by park rangers and relocated halfway across the country, the two must set off on an incredible journey home. With the help of a goofy golfing goose and his quacky duck caddy, Kate and Humphrey won’t let anything stop them – prickly porcupines, grumpy bears, even a speeding locomotive – from getting back to Jasper Park in time to help save their pack from rival wolves. And along the way, Kate and Humphrey learn that even though they are complete opposites, they make a pretty good team! It’s a thousand miles of fun in this wildly entertaining journey the whole pack can enjoy together.

Special Features:
·         Log Sliding interactive game       
·         “Wolves in the Wild” featurette               
·         “The Alpha of Animation” featurette
·         “Voicing the Wolves”  featurette  
·         “From Alpha to Omega” featurette  
·         Personality test: Are You and Alpha or an Omega?
·         Animal Fun Facts Trivia Challenge
·         Deleted scene

Trailer:


Our Thoughts:
This DVD was nothing but fun from the second we turned it on. The kids absolutely loved it and Evan kept saying, "This is such a good movie, mommy!". The adults will enjoy it as well because there are several jokes that are meant to appeal to more than just kids. It also provides a perfect opportunity to talk to your kids about saving the wildlife.

If you're looking for a great DVD to add to your collection or need a family night movie, Alpha And Omega is the way to go!

Buying this movie also provides you with a $50 savings coupon to The Great Wolf Lodge!! Coupon is on specially marked boxes.

Buy It!!
The Alpha And Omega DVD retails for $29.98.

Win It!!
One of my readers will win an Alpha And Omega DVD.

To enter, tell me who this DVD would be for. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Alpha And Omega.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: #WIN a copy of Alpha And Omega on DVD @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/4ua7crm #giveaway ends 2/14

6- Place my PINK Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on your blog.

7- Vote for my blog on Picket Fence Blogs(If your vote went through, "You have just voted for Two of A Kind, Working On A Full House! Remember, you can vote every day. Undo Vote
."
will be displayed at the top of the page). You can do this daily for an extra entry each day.

8- For TWO extra entries, enter my Belly Charms Giveaway.

9- Update your facebook status with a link to this giveaway if you use @Dee Twofakind or @Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House in your post, it will tag me(tagging me isn't necessary, but it helps bring your posts to my attention). Update daily for an extra entry each day.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 14th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US Only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.


 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - "Help Me, Mom!!"

"Hold on honey, let me grab the camera first..."

This was taken on the same afternoon as my "riding into the sunset" pic.

Have a WW?


 

What Songs Take You Back?

As you can tell by the title of my blog, I definitely listen to Country music and many songs have meaning to me. We recently got a new radio station that plays older songs as well as newer ones. I was driving in the car and "She's In Love With The Boy" came on. I couldn't help but smile, turn my radio up, and belt out the song at the top of my lungs. Isabella was the only one in the car and she was in her car seat dancing along too. That was my favorite song from Middle School through High School and I've belted it more times than I can count.

I started thinking about all of the other songs that take me back to different times in my life. I remember being really young and dancing around the living room to "Everlasting Love" when no one else was around. I am pretty sure I made up my own dance moves to that. :)

I can't help but smile as I think of my dad and I singing American Pie over and over again when he took me to basketball practices. That has to be one of the longest songs ever, but I memorized every word to it and loved my duet time with my dad.

Before that was "You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine...".  My mom used to sing it to me all the time when I was little and I remember being so jealous that my brother was born when I was 6 and she sang it to him too.

As a teenager, I had plenty of mixed cds with songs that meant a lot to me and my friends. When any of them come on the radio I think of different times and friends in my life. Where The Green Grass Grows came on the other day and I can't help but remembering one summer that we listened to this song pretty much anytime my group of friends got together.

What songs take you back and make you smile?

 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Got Giveaways 1/24

Please feel free to link up to as many of your giveaways as you'd like. If you linked up last week and your giveaway is still going on, please link up again!

If you could let other people know that I'm doing this, I'd really appreciate it. It's not mandatory, but it would be great if you could add my button to your blog or send a tweet out to get people here and post their giveaways.

Check out my current giveaways while you're here!
Prince Lionheart boosterPOD 2/14


Gift Card To Belly Charms for Jewelry 2/14 US/CAN


Set of FIVE Chuggington Books 2/7


Wilton Valentine's Day Cookie Prize Pack ($50 ARV) 1/26



Tassimo T20 Home Brewing System ($129.99 ARV) 2/7























$50 Green Earth Bamboo Gift Card 1/31(Towels, sheets, clothing, etc)


Literati eReader 1/31 US/CAN


$75 Gift Card To Eden Fantasys 1/31 - Open to EVERYONE Worldwide


Please link to the specific post for each giveaway-NOT just your blog! I will delete your link if it does not go directly to the giveaway.

***CLICK HERE for my Daily List of blogs with giveaway linkies.***


 
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