Year of Impressions

As we are at the end of 2010 I wanted to thank each and everyone of you for a great year of blogging. This blog has came along way and I'm so thankful for the friends I have made. When I look back at this past year blogging I saw strength from others, sharing, a network of individuals come together to support one another and be heard. I also felt the comfort from kind words when we lost our family pet. Sharing those little moments, stories, and pictures that make each day special in our lives. Learning experience, fun shopping and review experiences. I look forward to a great 2011 blogging with everyone. Already planning exciting events to share with you in 2011.

Life is like a sandcastle something beautiful here for awhile & then gone, but the impression it makes on others can last forever. I wish you a Happy New Year!!

                                                                                     Jennifer

Wordless Wednesday

My aunt came bearing Christmas Gifts for the kids. Then she handed me this Bible. She said, she had it put up for me and thought I would like to share it with my children. She had gotten it for me in 1985, I do remember her reading it to me and I remember when I could not sleep at night she would rock me in a squeaking rocking chair. I think this gift touched me more now then it did back then. She is my second mom, I was lucky to have great people in my life growing up.

5Minutes For Mom & Go Graham Go, Mom Start, Jolly Mom, Two of A kind, Working on a full House and many more wonderful sites, sign up, and share your Wordless Wednesday.

Rubbermaid ORGANIZING BONANZA

January 10th through 21st Rubbermaid is hosting the ORGANIZING BONANZA – a two week spree of organizing fun. The bonanza includes sweepstakes, contests, and advice from Rubbermaid to kick start your New Year's Resolutions.

Strep Christmas & Tree to Ground

Strep took over our Christmas. I noticed my son running a fever and I gave him meds. Fever not high went up and down. Next, fever hit me and I had chills and I thought it must be the flu, but my throat felt like it had razor blades in it. I asked my son if his throat hurt and he said no. Then I noticed him spitting in the bathroom. We went to sleep and the next morning my husband and mom kept the little one and I carried the oldest to the ER.

Christmas Eve Morning in the ER with my son and the test was positive for Strep.  My son was sluggish, moody, and not eating much. The doctor said his throat was a little red and give him antibiotics. By this time my voice was muffled and barely able to talk, terrible headache, and sore neck.

We made it home and my son was going like it wasn't bothering him, but it knock me flat on my butt. Sleeping the day away and cancelled all plans. Told all visitors they should make other plans too.

Christmas Day 7:30 am:

The boys were wide open and really had a great time. I struggled to make it through present opening and a little play. I told my husband sorry got to lay down around 9:00am and next thing I knew it was 12:00pm. I had not even prepared any food. I jumped up and pulled a dinner together and then back to bed. 

I keep hoping maybe the baby will not get it. I also been fighting with my son to take his meds. He fought so I've been adding to his drink. I hope next Christmas is a lot better.

Tree Update:

Santa fixed our tree!! Then the tree made it though opening of presents, but did not make it past that.

The Leaning Christmas Tree

Right after thanksgiving my son keep on to me to put the tree up. I was dreading it.. Finally I said son I'm tired of hearing put the tree up. His next response "Momma can we deck the halls? " Who can turn that down? I knew what was going to happen to our tree. 17 month old tree climbing son. I gave in & put it up. Less than 8 hours later the tree had broken legs and "slayed" out in the middle of the living floor.

I picked up the 6 foot tree and put in the storage room. Leaning against the wall to stand that is where our tree has remained. My oldest can visit it there and little brother can only go in when I'm with him. Decorations line the living room walls, high enough little hands can not reach.

When Santa visits he will add our tree back to the living room and hopefully it will survive Christmas morning. At least we have some beautiful ornaments on it now:)

Are you a winner?

I'm waiting on 2 prize winners to contact me. Blizzie Slushy Drink Maker & Hexbug Nano check to see if you won. I emailed the winners no answer yet http://lifeisasandcastle.blogspot.com/2010/12/lots-of-holiday-winners.html

24 hour winner

Winner $75 Sears Gift Card

Congrats to the winner of the $75 Sears Gift Card, that can be used at Sears Hometown Stores, Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, Sears Appliance & Hardware Stores, Sears Department Stores, Sears Outlet, TGI, Lands End and Kmart.

Salt Dough Ornaments Craft - So Easy

I looked up the recipe for Salt Dough Ornaments Craft at All Recipes. I thought, sounds cool so I texted my best friend an ask if she would like to bring her son over to work on ornaments. Yesterday, we followed the instructions for mixing the dough and seen a comment to prevent puffing to drop the temperature to 200 degrees, it took a while longer to cook the ornaments and waiting is the hardest part:)

I have to say the result are amazing and we have plan to make it a tradition to let the boys do this each year. We also had lots of fun doing it too:) We are also planning using these for gifts next year from the boys for aunts and uncles, grandma & grandpa. I'm going to add a picture of the boys in one I baked, add a date and have a great keepsake too.

24 Hour Giveaway French Meadow Bakery

I love to try new different foods and I was very excited to try the fresh French Meadow Bakery. My travel plans was interrupted by my sons sickness and I did not make it by store location to try it for myself. The closest store to me is 78 miles away, but my best friend and I had planned a big shopping trip near the location.  You can bet I'm stopping there when I can make it.

Photos borrowed from French Meadow facebook pictures.

French Meadow Bakery opened in 1985 and is the longest continuously running certified organic bakery in the US. Products including yeast-free, vegan, sprouted grain and Kosher Parve options in many forms including breads, tortillas, bagels and desserts certified USDA Organic by Quality Assurance International.

French Meadow also offers a line-up of delicious gluten-free baked goods that are certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, a program of Gluten Intolerance Group® that includes breads, rolls, muffins, cakes, tortillas, cookies and brownies. All gluten-free goodies are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. All products are sold nationally, and can often be found in your grocer’s freezer section.

You can keep up with French Meadow Bakery Product on facebook.

US winner, 24 hr giveaway. This is a Speedy giveaway!!! Winner will win a Coupon for Free French Meadow Bakery Product up to $9.99.  Ends 12/21/10 @ 1:20pm

1. To win a coupon for your very own French Meadow Bakery Product just visit to see if you have a location near you and let me know you do.

2. Then comment as much as you want.

Lots of Holiday Winners!!

Blizzie Slushy Drink Maker

Zak Designs

Dinosaur Train: Dinosaurs in the Snow DVD

Hexbug Nano

Hickory Farms Home For the Holidays Gift Box

Days Like This

I been so busy... first my son is back to normal, and thank you for all well wishes. I was really worried, he hadn't eaten in 4 days and if he did it would not stay down anyhow. I took him to the ER and they gave him meds for nausea. He wasn't dehydrated yet but on the verge. I keep pushing ginger ale, sprite, and soup at him. He just wanted me to hold him, poor little fellow. He slept the whole next day and then got up wanting to eat everything.

So far the rest of us haven't had signs of sickness. Thank goodness!

I have learned I'm sick of carpet in the house. All messes are attracted to it, no what I mean? This past week and just this morning my meanness 18 month old had to make his mark by taking his diaper off. A great way to start the morning off. Momma told me there would been days like this:)

Giveaways Ending Soon

12/17 Blizzie Slushy Maker


12/17 Zak Designs

12/19 Dinosaur Train Dinosaurs in the snow dvd

12/19 Hexbug Nano

12/19 Hickory Farms Holiday Gift Box

12/20 $75 Sears Gift Card

Winners!!!

Nutcracker Drum Christmas Gift Basket. @ http://lifeisasandcastle.blogspot.com/2010/11/gourmetgiftbasketscom-holiday-giveaway.html

U Star Novels @ http://lifeisasandcastle.blogspot.com/2010/12/u-star-novels-giveaway.html

Lots of Winners!!

Farm Rich Winners

HearthSong Musical Tea Set

Updates 2/13

My son has a terrible virus and I will be back as soon as possible.

Winner!!

Winner of the Admiral Road Aardvark Scarves

$99.99 Trademark Global Harley Style Child Battery Operated Motorcycle

Update: skip this, goes to slow for even my 1 1/2 yr, not worth it. Spend more and get a name brand and 12volt.

So excited I just order a Trademark Global Harley Style Child Battery Operated Motorcycle for my son and it is a great deal at $99.99 from CSN Stores. No fighting the crowds early in the morning. No way in the world I thought I would run across this deal. See when I was first looking it was out of stock. I signed up at CSN Store to be alerted when it becomes available. Just the other day I got the email, back in stock! my other option was this New Star My Police Battery-Powered Ride-On Motorcycle @ $59.99 right now out of stock.

I used a  gift code to CSN Stores I won from a contest and then paid the rest with my visa card. I now have it shipped to my mom's house, so Santa can surprise my 3 year old. My one year is getting a motorcycle for his age too. I look forward to those little eyes and smiles.

Also, an update on the kitchen, it is purchased and tucked away for Christmas too. I went with a cheap model, in case they don't care for it, but I think they will. Especially my little chef. Just had to share the deal on the motorcycle with everyone, in case this fits your budget.

Disclosure: Just sharing and nothing was received.

Winners!!

Congrats to the winners and ain't random number generator funny. I'll be contacting the winners shortly.

Hickory Farms Review & Giveaway

How I became a fan of Hickory Farms, back years ago my grandfather would have a picnic from his lunchbox with us kids. Usually it was the cakes and cookie left from lunch. Sometimes it was Summer Sausage and crackers. I remember him always receiving a gift of Hickory Farms from someone at Christmas and he would share with us kids.

This morning a Home for the Holidays Gift Box arrived at my home from Hickory Farm with rather fast shipping. I can say I was impressed by the speed from 2 business day shipping. We gathered at the table and indulged in the savory favors that brought  memories back to me. My family had a time of togetherness this morning as my boys tried this treat for the first time and I reached back into my memories and made some new ones with my own little family. The tradition of Hickory Farms will live on through my family.

At first I thought Honey Pineapple Mustards didn't sound good, but then I tasted it. I would love to buy up jars of it! Certainly the Sausage can hold their own with any of the cheese, crackers, mustards or plain. They are just plain delicious anyways. My husband liked the Three Cheese & Onion Wedge with his and I preferred the Cheddar & Havarti Blend. The kids enjoyd the Big Barn Cheddar best.

Home for the Holidays Gift Box

- 2 - 10 oz. Our Signature Beef Summer Sausages

-10 oz. Italian Recipe Beef Summer Sausage
- 8 oz. Big Barn Cheddar®
- 7 oz. Cheddar & Havarti Blend
- 4 oz. Three Cheese & Onion Wedge
- 4 oz. Smooth N Sharp Wedge
- 2.25 oz. Sweet Hot Mustards
- 2.5 oz. Honey Pineapple Mustard
- 2 - .5 oz. Cracked Wheat Crackers

"We've created a mixture of flavors in our Home for the Holidays Gift to let those far away know just how much you miss them this time of year. Indulge the with their favorites. You'll be giving Our Signature Beef as well as Italian Recipe Summer Sausage. An array of 4 cheeses will delight them. Sweet Hot, Honey Pineapple Mustards and savory crackers bring it all together. Wt. 3.6 lbs."

"This gift ships free to military APO/FPO addresses. For Christmas delivery, please order by December 4th for APO/FPO zip codes starting with 093. All other APO/FPO zip codes, please order by December 10th."

"The perfect gift for those on a budget, the Beef Hickory Sampler ($16) allows you to share Hickory Farms’ signature flavors with everyone on your gift list, with tastes of our Signature Summer Sausage, mustard and crackers. Hickory Farms offers an assortment of gifts for every price point, including an array of favorites under $30."

 "Support Share Our Strength’s® No Kid Hungry Campaign™ The Party Planner Gift Box ($40) is a welcome favorite and helps fight to end childhood hunger in America. Lucky gift recipients will enjoy savory treats like our signature summer sausage, Original Cheese Ball, mustards and crackers. Plus, for every Party Planner Gift Box sold this holiday season, we will contribute $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign to end childhood hunger in America."

 "This holiday season, Hickory Farms invites you to take part in the tradition of giving. Hickory Farms has long been an expression of warmth and generosity, with signature sausages, savory cheeses and gourmet treats that have brought friends and families together since 1951. We are pleased to introduce you to some of our most popular signature offerings that are sure to delight loved ones this holiday season. Thanks to Hickory Farms for being a sponsor in the holiday gift guide. One winner will win the Home For the Holidays Gift Box like we reviewed."

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern December 19, 2010
Open US winner has 5 days to respond to my email
Leave your email in to post or available in profile, I will not search for it

MUST complete Mandatory Entry. Winner will be chosen by random org. Entries that does not follow the rules will not win.

Mandatory Entry *Visit Hickory Farms and tell me your favorite item and the link to it.

********EXTRA ENTRIES***********
*Blog about the giveaway linking Hickory Farms & Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect
* Follow my blog on twitter & tweet " #giveaway Home for the Holidays Gift Box @HickoryFarms @lifesandcastle http://t.co/HRna71B #win 12/19" (2 daily)
*Become my face book fan.
*Become Hickory Farms Facebook Fan.
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*Enter Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.
*Comment on one non giveaway post on my site(2 entries)
*Grab the Holiday Gift Button @ top left side of my blog or regular button right side bar (2 entries each)
*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listings)

Disclosure: A product was provided by company or PR for me to provide my opinion. All opinions are my own.