For Baby Riley

It's with a heavy heart that I write this post. There is an auction going on right now on Hyena Cart for Baby Riley's family. Please take a moment to read their story and pray for them. If you can consider a donation or bid on some of the gorgeous items that are up. 

Her story. (Pictures of infant loss are on this link.)

Some of the items at the Charity Store you can bid on.

Paper and Pigtails GIVEAWAY

Talented Kori from Paper and Pigtails is an artist who has a shop on etsy and a blog where you can see her art. She designs printables that are adorable and functional. She is friendly and answers any questions quickly via email. If you have a party you need invitations, stationary and/or decoration check out her store and blog. Need inspiration? Her portfolio has drool worthy ideas and parties! 

You will want to follow her blog and facebook for new products and fun freebies.

Here are some of my favorites from her Etsy shop.

Where to find Paper and Pigtails

www.paperandpigtailsparty.com

Facebook  www.facebook.com/PaperandPigtails

Twitter www.twitter.com/paperandpigtail 

Blog  http://paperandpigtailsparty.com/

Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperandPigtails

For a chance to win a $25 giftcard to the Paper and Pigtails  Etsy shop. Enter by August 13, 2011.
Enter using Rafflecopter only.

Good luck!

Joans Gems GIVEAWAY CLOSED

GIVEAWAY CLOSED winners announced here
LINK.

This giveaway is sponsored by Joan's Gems. Joan, the artisan behind Joan's Gems makes gorgeous jewelery, ornaments and these FANTASTIC bubble wands.  Aren't they cute? You're going to have a chance to win one of TWO! You have to see these in person. They are so cute and a work of art, not your typical store bought bubble wand! 

When I was researching fun summer toys I saw these bubble wands and thought they were not only perfect for fun bubble time but add some flowing ribbon and you've got fairy wands too! The wands make big bundles of bubbles, streams of bubbles and regular "blown" bubbles that had my girls giggling and chasing after them.There are two sizes of wands, but both are big! The small one we have measures 4 1/2 inch in diameter and is 12 inches long. The large one is 16 1/2 inches long and the heart measures 6 inches across. They are sturdy and well made. The wire is not flimsy and not easily bent.  The bead detailing, fun colors and pretty shapes make these whimsical and fun. The wands come with a bubble solution recipe on the tag and are ready for gifting. They would be awesome as party favors, I'm going to need another wand because my three girls each want one! If you'd like one please enter to win, details are below. And visit her Etsy store

Joan has been making jewelery and wire art for 10 years. You can read more about her and her business HERE, on her profile page. Joan has been selling her art at shows and markets including the famed Wheaten French Market in IL since 2002. She's no newbie! Joan's email communication and costumer service are top notch. She shipped quickly and the wands were packed nicely with bubble wrap in a sturdy box.

Here are pieces from her Etsy shop that I think are gorgeous.

 Aqua Terra Jasper and Chocolate Necklace, listed HERE.

These Wood bead earrings listed HERE.

 Bubble wands in action
Two of my girls! We've gone out more than once to play with these wands!

Pictures for the Eastorn Farmer's Market where Joan has been a vendor since 2002.

Would you like to win a Bubble wand? Joan is offering two wands as a giveaway for you all. The first drawing will be for  a LARGE wand and the second will be for a SMALL wand. Here are the details. Once winners are picked I will forward your information to Joan. She will set up a private listing for you to purchase your prize with a coupon code, shipping is included! Be sure to leave feedback when you're all done! You can add some jewelry or more wands also, and it can all ship together.

You have until JULY 8 9PM EST to enter. Winner will be drawn after that. Open to US and Canadian shipping.

For one entry- Mandatory

To enter go to her new Facebook page HERE. Click on the like button and post on her wall

"@love abounds sent me for the summer giveaway" You will need to tag @Love Abounds, so I see your post. Once you've posted on her wall please comment ONCE here with a way to contact you.

Extra entries

Post on your Facebook page about the giveaway, linking back to this post and Joan's Gems on Facebook. Comment ONCE here with a link to your post.

Tweet about this giveaway and tag @peasblog . Post the tweet link here- you can get that link by clicking on the time stamp under the post. Comment ONCE here with that link for another entry. You can tweet once a day for extra entries.

Please make sure you've completed the steps for each entry AND comment for your entries to count. TWO winners will be picked by random.org. I will forward your email address to Joan so she can get your coupon code to you! 
Good luck!

*Thank you Joan's Gems for providing product samples, all opinions in this review are my own and I was not compensated for this review.*

Jessie Steele GIVEAWAY- CLOSED

If you know me you know I love aprons. Vintage and vintage inspired aprons. LUURVE them. So, this giveaway from Jessie Steele has me squealing. A little bit of June Cleaver sweet with some flirty fun added! Just because you're slaving in the kitchen doesn't mean you have to look like you are! Quite frankly the right apron can  make that time in the kitchen even more fun. Or is that just me? I doubt it.

Have you heard of Jessie Steele? Chances are you've seen their products, if not in stores for sure in a magazine, on TV and/or the silver screen. This company has been growing steadily for 7 years.  And rightly so! Their aprons are fun, flirty, and flatter all figures. The fabrics they choose are beautiful and the aprons are machine washable. Shipping for me was fast, and communication with the company through email was quick and efficient.

I have a half hostess apron from Jessie Steele with matching pot holders. I've had them for years and still use them. They retired the style and print, but my apron still looks beautiful. I also have this gorgeous kitchen apron pictured below. I love that this apron has a button to attach an included kitchen towel. How cute is that? I do prefer the full apron when I'm cooking. Now they have convertible aprons that can be worn as a full apron or a hostess apron.

Jessie Steele doesn't just have kitchen aprons! They carry Chef's aprons, children's aprons, towels, mitts, tote and lunch bags. That's not including the beautiful salon line! They sent the sweet Cherry Courtney Apron for this giveaway. The cut on this apron (first apron pictured) is figure flattering. The flower detail is removable for washing. It features a deep pocket and pretty red piping.

Check out their website HERE.

For a chance to win the Cherry Courtney Apron pictured above enter by July 1, 2011. Giveaway closes at 9 PM EST. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only.
Comments are moderated before posting so don't worry if yours doesn't show up right away. Thank you.

For one entry- Mandatory

To enter go to the Jessie Steele Facebook page HERE. Click on the like button and post on their wall

"@love abounds sent me for the summer giveaway" You will need to tag @Love Abounds, so I see your post. Once you've posted on their wall please comment ONCE here with a way to contact you.

Extra entries

Post on your Facebook page about the giveaway, linking back to this post and @Jessie Steele on Facebook. Comment ONCE here with a link to your post.

Tweet about this giveaway. Post the tweet link here- you can get that link by clicking on the time stamp under the post. Comment ONCE here with that link for another entry. You can tweet once a day for extra entries.

Please make sure you've completed the steps for each entry. A winner will be picked by random.org.
Good luck!

*Thank you Jessie Steele for providing product samples for the giveaway, all opinions in this review are my own. Pictures are from the Jessie Steele website and belong to them. *

Don't forget to enter the Give Peas A Chance Spring Fever Giveaway!

Here is the LINK for all the details!

Awesome prizes!

Give Peas A Chance Spring Fever Giveaway!

 Is it SPRING yet? I've got Spring FEVER here and it's getting hard to focus and concentrate on this cookbook! I am enjoying taking my time writing, checking and rechecking measurements, weights and all that, but the beautiful sunshine is calling me. My girls feel the same way, they want to be outside playing. Good thing I can take the laptop outside with us. To help everyone get through these last weeks of winter I'm hosting a giveaway. Some wonderful talented friends and business women have donated their time and talents to bring you some fabulous prizes! Good luck and I am SO JEALOUS, I want all of these fantastic prizes! (Don't worry, I can't enter and neither can other vendors, these prizes are for you!)
I'll also be shipping out a surprise from Love Abounds too! Most likely some Fleur De Sel Caramels!

 Galpin Studios

Beautiful hand crafted headbands are part of the vintage lady collection and can be made in any color. They can also be made smaller for those wee little heads. Galpin Studios makes headbands and blooming hats for photography or that special little girl in your life! Come and browse all the headband albums, I'm sure you'll find the perfect fit!

Regards

Ampy NY photographer of Galpin Studios (Facebook link)
***

 Clear Hills Honey
We are a beekeeping family located in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Our family
keeps about 110 bee hives and we extract the honey and gather the honey
bi-products ourselves.  We use honey, beeswax, and propolis to create value
added products like lip balm, soap, cream, salve, and candles.
25% off discount code will be offered for the lucky winner!
 Clear Hills Honey (Facebook link)
***

Doodles Jewels
At Doodles Jewels you can find hand-crafted jewelry for any taste. Jewlely is a wonderful heart-felt gift, especially when it is custom-created just to suit a loved one. I use only professional quality gems, findings and wire to create treasued keepsakes. You can be assured your item is made to last. I am offering this beautiful Tree of Life pendant that is strung on 16" of Fancy Jasper beads in varying earthy colors. With a Tibetan Silver square clasp. 
As a service to our customers, all Doodles Jewels items may be resized prior to shipping at no additional cost.
Doodles Jewels on Facebook.
*** 

Jean Laura Designs

Flash back to the 80's!! I had one of these in just about every color combo out there when I was younger. Now our girls can wear them, too! TWO ribbon barrettes without beads in your color choices. I am a SAHM to three wonderfully active little boys.  I make and sell several things like sock babies, ribbon barrettes, feeley blanket lovies, tooth fairy pillows, Mama headbands and small bow clippies.  I have always loved to create and share my creations with others. 

Jean Laura Designs (Facebook Link)
***

PaperGlitter

PaperGlitter is offering 2 party kits of your choice. Any 2 from this section:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperglitter?section_id=6246749

I have always loved paper crafts & illustrating cute graphics and this combination of the two inspired great paper crafting projects and the founding of PaperGlitter. From paper toys, to stationery sets, clever decorating paper crafts projects and party sets, PaperGlitter offers the ability to create lovely paper things using "do it yourself" PDF file templates also knows as "printables". The philosophy of paperglitter is to offer adorable graphics and easy paper crafting projects combined with high quality & affordable PDF files, that allow the users to have instant gratification with low complexity templates. Numerous PaperGlitter projects can be found for free downloads at www.cuteprintables.com and even more items are for sale at www.paperglitter.com.  ~Linnette.

PaperGlitter (Facebook)
***

Rural Inspirations
This beautiful bracelt is being offered by Jessica of Rural Inspirations. The BoPeep Bracelet.
This dainty bracelet features a 7 1/2" long antiqued-bronze chain and lobster clasp with a bow charm suspending a frosted lucite blossom in plum purple and fuchsia.  Length of the chain can be shortened upon request.

My name is Jessica and I am the creator of Rural Inspirations. I started this journey with making an Autumn wreath and I now specialize in unique handmade jewelry in gemstone, glass, lucite, and vintage components.
Links:
FB - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rural-Inspirations/120226617996908
Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/ruralinspirations
***

Gillyweeds 

Gillyweeds is the place to find quality, crocheted children's clothing, toys and patterns!  As a part of this giveaway, we are happy to announce a new line of bibs!  These are crocheted from 100% cotton, in varying solid colors, and are embellished with simple designs.  This bib shown measures 7 1/2 x 11 inches, and features absorbent cotton, a tie closure, and flower embellishment.  Gillyweeds' bibs are strong, machine washable and can be either dried flat or dried in the dryer, though some shrinking may occur.  This bib has been prewashed, and is ready to use!  Normally, Gillyweeds bibs retail for $22. Look for more bibs and children's clothing items at http://www.gillyweeds.etsy.com and http://www.hyenacart.com/crunchycongo.

 On the Gillyweeds blog, you will find information about sales, giveaways, and features about other artisans in the hand made community!  Stop by today! http://www.gillyweeds.blogspot.com

 Please use coupon code LAFreeShip throughout this giveaway, on all orders from my Etsy shop!  We thank you for your business!

Gillyweeds on Facebook

***

 Tutus By TAM
Tamara A. Miller
E-mail: tamara_a_miller@yahoo.com Web: http://www.facebook.com/TutusByTAM
Tutus By TAM is a company built with love, by a mom who wants to giver her fairy princess what she (& every girl) wants…Tutus!  They are all hand-made with a mother’s love, by me, Tamara!
Mission: To fulfill the dreams of all little girls and their “inner princesses or fairies”. To make quality tutus with love, that are hand-made.
Tutus By TAM is giving away a two-color (tulle) tutu.  The Spring Fever Give-Away tutu may be custom-ordered: any size, any two-color combination.  Once I have the size & color choices, I will custom make the tutu & ship one week after the contest ends (April 15).
Tutus By TAM on Facebook
***

Rubymoon Natural Laundry Wash
Our mission at Ruby Moon is to provide you with an affordable, gentle on the earth and your skin, tough on stains and odor, line of products. All of our products and packaging are made with natural and biodegradable ingredients.  We rigorously test our products and would never sell you anything that we wouldn't use on our own families.  
We are offering $10 off your next laundry detergent order.

Rubymoon Natural Laundry Wash on Facebook
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 Little Moncai Designs

Inspired by my little moncaí I like to have my hands into everything, so you'll find there's a little of this and a little of that in my shop.  Little Moncai Designs offers unique kid quilts, accessories and fabric games that will make the perfect gift for yourself or someone you love! For the giveaway I made the darling sun hat size xs 0-6 months.

Robyn

Little Moncai Designs on Facebook
***

 Jolinne 

Jolinne - handmade art to fall in love with-

offers colorful wall art for girls and boys such as: art prints,

 canvas prints, door signs,wooden boxes, bookmarks, cards, magnets, pocket 

mirrors and more! 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jolinne

 I am offering a 25% discount on all shop items(Shop sale section not included)

for one week starting the day the winner is announced.

Jolinne on Facebook 

Lilikoi Lane

$15.00 Gift Certificate to my store that way the winner can choose the shirt size, 

pattern and fabric that they like best. 

Lilikoi Lane makes one of a kind clothing for kids. With over 20 unique designs, letters, numbers and 200 fabrics to chose from Lilikoi Lane Shirts are as unique as your kids. Forget the cookie cutter clothing, buy handmade!

Link: http://www.lilikoilane.com

 Lilikoi Lane on Facebook

HOW TO ENTER :
*Please note that ALL steps must be completed for valid entry*

1 Visit Love Abounds on Facebook like my page &  follow this blog!

2 Visit EACH vendor page and like their page. Post that you were sent by Love Abounds for the Give Peas A Chance Spring Fever giveaway.
Galpin Studios
Clear Hills Honey 
Gillyweeds
Tutu's By Tam
Rubymoon Natural Laundry Wash
Paper Glitter
Little Moncai Designs
Rural Inspirations
Jean Laura Designs
Doodles Jewels   
Jolinne 
Lilikoi Lane on Facebook
3 Share this link on your Facebook Page, Tweet it, Blog it, however you can spread the word. Show me the links on how you sent your shout out in your entry post.

4 Leave ONE comment that you've completed all the steps with the links on how you shared this giveaway and how to contact you. Just for fun, if you have a name suggestion for my cookbook share it in the same post.
 *** NOTE on shipping- please check each vendor's shipping policy on international orders, if you have questions ASK them first if you are not in the US, if they will ship to where you are.***
Vendors may not participate, Winner will be drawn using Random.org on April 15, 2011. 


CLOSED! Winner announced.

GIVEAWAY at Gillyweeds

Pictured- Mango Peach Decaf Tea

Would you like to try some Love Abounds Lychee Black tea? A fruity black tea infused with lychee. To enter to win check out the GIllyweeds blog for more info. You only have until February 28th!

LINK.

Holy Mole Pork Carnitas- So versatile!

Yay! Something else I can do in a crock pot! Easy peasy. Pork shoulder, rubbed with Love Abounds Holy Mole, seen HERE. Crock pot on low all day. Shred the pork and serve on tortillas with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cilantro, lime wedges and olives. Put the pork in enchiladas, stews, soups, burritos or a skillet meal with potatoes, eggs and cheese.  I also blogged this here.

You can add salt, fresh garlic, onion slices etc to the crock pot also.
Smokey Ancho Chile Spice
Crock pot Carnitas
Chipotle Carnitas (Crock pot)
Carnitas 
Holy Mole Carnitas
Carnitas as leftovers for breakfast
Carnitas as leftovers in Green Chile Stew

Firecracker Pork ribs

I made these easy pork ribs in the oven. Rubbed with Love Abounds Firecracker Sweet N' Spicy, these ribs are a hit with the family. Not to spicy for my kids, but try Sweet N' Spicy original for bold flavor with less heat.

Some other posts with Firecracker Sweet N' Spicy Rub from Love Abounds

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

I know right, this isn't a pie. Who cares, it's good. I don't do much with cranberries, I make cranberry sauce, cookies and breads. That's it. Well, I also put dried cranberries in a post Thanksgiving chicken salad. That's about it. When I came across this recipe, I had to try it. This is INCREDIBLY simple and easy. You can search for the recipe, there are several- Food network, cooking blogs, and Laurie Colwin's More Home Cooking cookbook.

I made one without  nuts for Diva who insisted she loves cranberries. She only tried it. But it was at least something.  DH and I really liked this. It is more like a cake, like a dump cake. The crust on top from the sprinkling of sugar is almost like taking your spoon and tapping the top of a Creme Brulee. Crisp. I liked this warm and room temperature, with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. This Nantucket Cranberry pie does have a lot of sugar, but considering how tart cranberries are I didn't adjust the amount, I did substitute regular sugar for Love Abounds Vanilla Bean Specialty Sugar. I also added a grating/dusting of nutmeg over the filling and in the batter.

Filling

Butter to liberally grease the pie pan/oven safe skillet (about 10 inches)

2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries- if they are frozen don't thaw them

1/2 cup Vanilla Bean Specialty Sugar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans- optional

nutmeg

Batter

3/4 cup melted butter

2 eggs

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon of almond extract

pinch of salt

nutmeg

Topping

1 tablespoon Vanilla Bean Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally butter the pan/skillet/cast iron. Put the cranberries in the bottom of the pan. Grate a tiny but of nutmeg over the top of the cranberries or add a pinch to the sugar before sprinkling it on the berries.

Sprinkle sugar and nuts on top. (Or just omit the nuts.)

Stir the butter, sugar, eggs, extract and salt in a separate bowl.

Add the flour and nutmeg to the sugar mixture. Stir.

The batter will be thick. Pour it on top of the cranberries and smooth out as much as you can.

Bake for 40-45 minutes. Five minutes before removing from the oven sprinkle with Vanilla Bean Sugar.

YUM.

Diva's no nut pie.