Happy Muppets Thanksgiving Crafts & Recipe!

Orchard Bars Review

I like when I can offer my son healthy, wholesome snacks. And it's great when I can find ones that I like too and can easily grab on the go. We found those things from one product- Orchard Bars. Here is a little more about Orchard Bars:

"The all natural, vegan and gluten free Orchard Bars are loaded with fruit and nuts, sunflower and flax seeds. The result is a delicious burst of flavor rich in antioxidants (vitamins A & C), low in sodium, vegan, gluten free high in Omega-3 and a good source of protein. And with no preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors, and no cholesterol or saturated fat, they are a great, healthy snack before soccer practice or on the way to piano lessons.

The new Orchard Bars are available in three varieties: Blueberry Pomegranate & Almond, Pineapple Coconut & Macadamia and Strawberry  Raspberry & Walnut."

We had the chance to try all three varieties of Orchard Bars. My favorite was the Pineapple Coconut & Macadamia. I wasn't sure what to expect from these. They were a different consistency than I expected with a chewy, soft texture. And they are very sweet. I like the bits of fruit and nut in them. I did not try the Blueberry Pomegranate & Almond Bar, because I don't like blueberries. But my son tried it. He ate a little of it, but he didn't really care for it as much. I'm not sure what it was about it that he didn't like, though.

I think these are pretty good fruit bars, especially for an on the go snack. You can try all 3 Orchard Bars by purchasing them online for only $2.50 each with free shipping! Just go to http://orchardbar.com/ to get yours today. And they would make a great, healthy stocking stuffer for Christmas too!



*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Thanksgiving in Early America

Thanksgiving in Early America by Elaine Marie Cooper When we sit down at our Thanksgiving meal this month, we’ll be recreating a celebration that is as old as our country: sharing food with loved ones while thanking the God Who has provided the abundance. While we understand that the First Thanksgiving was celebrated here by the Mayflower survivors along with the Indians that had helped them, the first official proclamation that was decreed to celebrate such a holiday was in 1777. It was a recommendation to the thirteen states by the Continental Congress to set aside December 18th that year as a “solemn thanksgiving” to celebrate the first major victory for the Continental troops in the American Revolution: the Battle of Saratoga. The Battle of Saratoga has significant interest for my own family since one of my ancestors was a soldier there. But he was not on the American side—he was a British Redcoat. After surrendering to the Americans, he escaped the line of prisoners and somehow made his way to Massachusetts and into the life and heart of my fourth great-grandmother. *SIGH* L’amour! This family story was the inspiration for my Deer Run Saga that begins in 1777 with The Road to Deer Run. There is an elaborate Thanksgiving meal scene in this novel as well as in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Some may wonder why such detail was afforded this holiday in my novels set in Massachusetts, while Christmas is barely mentioned. The reason is simple: Thanksgiving was the major holiday in the northern colonies, with Christmas considered nothing more special than a workday. According to Jack Larkin in his book, The Reshaping of Everyday Life, “The Puritan founders of New England and the Quaker settlers of Pennsylvania had deliberately abolished (holidays) as unscriptural.” But Thanksgiving was begun as a way to give thanks to God for His provision. It usually began with attending church services in the morning, followed by an elaborate feast in the afternoon. The food for this meal was prepared for weeks in advance. Since the individual state governors chose their own date to celebrate the holiday, it was theoretically possible for some family members—if they lived in close proximity—to celebrate multiple Thanksgiving meals with family and friends across state borders. The dates chosen could be anywhere from October to December, according to Dennis Picard, Director of the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Chicken was most commonly served, said Picard, as it was readily available in the barnyard. And the oldest woman in the home had the honor of slicing the fowl for dinner. Pies were made well in advance of the holiday and stored and became frozen in dresser drawers in unheated rooms. “I like the idea of pulling out a dresser drawer for, say, a clean pair of socks, and finding mince pies,” said Picard, tongue in cheek. Indeed! Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving! Author Bio

Elaine Marie Cooper Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (www.thebarndoor.net) and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In Hindsight (ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com). She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse. This article was provided by Kathy Carlton Willis Communications.

THE MUPPETS - "Which Muppet Are You?" quiz

With THE MUPPETS coming to theaters next Wednesday, 11/23 in their brand new, big-screen comedy adventure, it’s time to answer that all-important question: WHICH MUPPET ARE YOU?

Don’t worry, this won’t involve turning green or growing fur, all you have to do to find out is answer the following questions:

Question 1: What do your co-workers often find in your e-mails?

A)   Hi ho! A simple and friendly greeting.

B)   A joke. They may not need it, but they’re going to read it!

C)   A demand, a self-flattering remark, and a reference to yourself in the third person.

D)   LOTS!! OF CAPITAL!!! LETTERS! AND EXCLAMATION!! POINTS!!

E)   An insult.

Question 2: It’s Friday night! What are you up to?

A)   Getting together with friends. (Hoping, just this once, they don’t get too out of hand.)

B)   Knock-knocking on the comedy club’s door.

C)   Making a scene, with a paparazzi entourage.

D)   DRUMS! ROCK AND ROLL!....BUNNIES! 

E)   In the balcony, hurling overripe produce.

Question 3: What brightens your day?

A)   When you can get your friends to agree on something.

B)   When someone laughs at your joke! 

C)   A mirror.

D)   NOISE!

E)   Getting annoyed at bright days.

Question 4: How many Facebook friends do you have?

A)   You like to hang out with your friends in person. You’re not so sure about this Facebook thing.

B)   Well, if you count the guy who likes your weekly Funny Friday posts. (Kermit, is that you?)

C)   They don’t have numbers that go that high, sweetie.

D)   LOTS!

E)   One. (Sits next to you.)

Question 5:  What is your favorite color?

A)   Swamp green

B)   Custard Pie White

C)   Pink is the perfect color. But gold and diamonds are close.

D)   Any color, as long as it’s… LOUD!

E)   Red. As in “after we watched that last act, we’re seeing red!”

Question 6: Which film is the diamond of your DVD collection?

A)   Disney’s “The Muppets” (Even if You Say So Yourself) 

B)   “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To This Question”

C)   “Breakfast (Lunch and Dinner) at Tiffany’s”

D)   “Rock & Roll High School!”

E)   What’s a DVD?

Question 7: If you could switch lives with anybody for one day, who would it be?

A)   Prince William. What you would give for a kiss from Kate! (And great security from lurking pigs.)

B)   Jason Segel. A funny man. People actually laugh at his jokes.

C)   Yourself. (By the way, most A-list actresses pick you in response to this question.)

D)   Keith Richards.

E)   Don Rickles

Now count up all of your answers for each letter.

·         If you got the most As, you’re KERMIT! You’re loyal, professional and humble. Your friends mean the world to you – even if they sometimes drive you crazy.

·         If you got the most Bs, you’re FOZZIE BEAR! You live to make others laugh. Or chuckle. Or at least chortle and maybe smile a little. 

·         If you got the most Cs, you’re MISS PIGGY! You are self-confident A diva who is not afraid to shine. You enjoy being admired. Actually, you demand it! 

·         If you got the most Ds, you’re ANIMAL! You live for Rock & Roll, big loud parties and bigger louder drums. You’re also fond of bunny rabbits.

·         If you got the most Es, you’re STATLER AND WALDORF, those two old hecklers in the balcony.  You have strong opinions which you share at every opportunity.

        

Any guess on which Muppet Walter is? J

           

‘Like’ THE MUPPETS on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/Muppets

THE MUPPETS opens in theaters everywhere on November 23^rd!

How to game for the greater good? Trash Tycoon

SOCIAL GAMING STARTUP GUERILLAPPS LAUNCHES FIRST GREEN-THEME UPCYCLING GAME ON FACEBOOK

Game is first in a series of titles planned that focus on health and sustainability for positive real-world impact

NEW YORK CITY – (September 6, 2011) – Guerillapps, a Manhattan-based social gaming startup, today announces the launch of TrashTycoon, its first green-theme social game for Facebook. The game is now available for play and takes a unique approach to social gaming by incorporating awareness for environmental issues and sustainability. The first game to ever highlight the concept of upcycling, TrashTycoon is an immersive, fun game that presents opportunities for real-world impact.

As the online community dives into game play with Trash Tycoon via Facebook, they take on the role of recycling entrepreneurs by collecting litter in a trash strewn city and upcycling waste into higher quality, environmentally-friendly products. Upcycling, a process in which discarded waste is repurposed for valuable use, can range from building a house of abandoned material to finding innovative uses for discarded plastic bags. After completing missions, users collect money and earn points to ultimately earn the title of garbage tycoons. The game’s trash-tackling premise directly mirrors that of its sponsor TerraCycle in the real, green world: a collection and solution program for typically non-recyclable waste.

“Something as simple as a social game where players earn points for recycling in the real world is capable of changing people’s behavior for the better,” said Raviv Turner, co-founder and CEO of Guerillapps. “We’ve organically integrated real-world recycling goals into the game to ensure that players have fun and see Trash Tycoon first and foremost as a game, while at the same time presenting a proactive approach for more mindful actions as users approach real-life situations with acquired knowledge from Trash Tycoon.”

As the gaming world continues to reach beyond traditional gaming consoles and social games continue to evolve beyond farming and gangsters, Guerillapps’ team of former EA, Playdom and Lego game designers engage Facebook’s extensive network in an immersive game experience. However, Guerillapps’ focus on real-world ties and deep brand integration is the first of its kind across social and mobile gaming platforms. Incorporation of real world brands—an empty Kraft^® box or wrapper, for example—adds bearing to TerraCycle’s mission without detracting from the game’s casual and fun landscape. Trash Tycoon also defers the social gaming norm by offering multiplayer, synchronous play to ignite a global conversation. Users can communicate and collaborate in real time during play, banding together with friends to attacktrash.

“We are honored to be affiliated with a social game such as Trash Tycoon that will provide the best in consumer engagement, as well as potential for positive, impactful actions,” said Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle. “Trash Tycoon’s message speaks to the core mission of our company by presenting a fun yet innovative solution that aids in educating others on the importance behind environmental responsibility.”

TerraCycle, the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste, joins Guerillapps as a strategic sponsor ofTrash Tycoon given the company’s renowned expertise in sustainability and environmental protection. Guerillapps also shares a charitable partnership with CarbonFund.org, to which they donate 10 percent of revenues from Trash Tycoon’s virtual currency to support carbon offset projects around the world.
 

Guerillapps plans to apply Trash Tycoon’s real-world approach to verticals like health, fitness, energy and more. For more information, visit Guerillapps.com. To play Trash Tycoon, visit TrashTycoon.com.

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About Guerillapps                                                                                                                                                                                    

Founded in 2010, Guerillapps, LLC is a Manhattan-based, social gaming startup led by a team of industry veterans across social and mobile platforms. The company collaborates with established consumer brands to develop original social games focused on Lifestyle of Health & Sustainability markets that support real world causes. Guerillapps is a Rhodium funded startup. For more information, visitwww.guerillapps.com.  For media inquiries, contact Ashley Eggert of Dittoe Public Relations at 317-202-2280 x15 or ashley@dittoepr.com.              

About TerraCycle

Founded in 2001, TerraCycle is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste.  TerraCycle works with over thirty major brands in the U.S. (and in a growing number of other countries) to collect used packaging and products (chip bags, candy wrappers, juice pouches, pens, toothbrushes, etc.) that would otherwise be destined for landfills.  It repurposes that waste into new eco-friendly materials and products that are available online and through major retailers. The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay schools and non-profits for every piece of waste they collect and return. For information on how to join a TerraCycle Brigade and on purchasing TerraCycle products, please visit us at www.terracycle.net.

Kidorable’s Thanksgiving Promotion and New Charitable Partnership

You all know I'm a big fan of Kidorable. Well, turns out they are a big fan of us too.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re counting our blessings.  They say it’s the thought that counts, so we thought we’d back up our good feelings with Free Shipping via UPS Ground on all orders your readers place November 27 through Sunday, December 4.  

So please, hop on over to www.kidorable.com and use coupon code GRATEFUL2 at checkout to get free shipping on any order, big or small.    

PLUS, Kidorable is partnering with the Children’s Cancer Research Fund to help you support a great cause.  We will donate 100% of the proceeds from our Butterfly umbrellas on www.kidorable.com from Thanksgiving through Christmas, bringing kids health, hope and happiness by revolutionizing the way childhood cancer is treated worldwide.  (No coupon necessary)

Charming KEYper Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 12/1}

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below!

I love finding little products that truly improve my days. This is one of those things.

Do you ever have to dig around in the bottom of your purse for your keys? You know they are in there, but between the receipts, chapstick and cheerios they are hard to find. And if you have a bigger purse, just forget about it. Not anymore. This simple little object will save you from digging in that bottomless purse every time. You will love the Charming KEYper.

The Charming KEYper is a cute little strap that hooks onto your keychain with an easy spring hook. On the other end of the KEYper is a charm that will dangle on the outside of your purse. When you need your keys, it's as easy as tugging on the KEYper and out they come.

The Charming KEYper comes in several different adorable designs. I got the Black Bouquet Flower design, shown above. They have the Black Metro Shoe Charm, Zebra Ying Yang Charm, Lime Flip Flop Charm, Pink Dot Clover Charm, Red Leopard Heart Charm, and the Silver Metro Star Charm. There is a little something for everyone. You can also pair your Charming KEYper with the Charming CASEtte to keep your phone, ID, credit cards and more handy.

I love my Charming KEYper. This is one of the most practical products I've seen in a long time. It solved a problem that I've dealt with for years. I just never thought I'd find a solution, so I just resigned myself to the fact that I'll always be digging my keys from my purse. Ever since I put the KEYper on my keychain, it has stayed there. I use it on a daily basis. It stays on my keys and if the strap every gets in the way (it's a little in the way when I'm driving), I just unclasp it. Then the hook is still on my keys & it's simple to reattach it before I throw my keys into my purse the next time.

I really think that you'll love this little product as much as me. You can purchase the Charming KEYper on their website- http://www.charmingkeyper.com/content/shop+now/18636. And one of you can win your own KEYper of your choice. Just enter in the Rafflecopter form below.



*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

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Saline Soothers Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 11/30} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below.

Have you heard of Boogie Wipes? I'm sure by now you've seen them in stores, read about them on blogs, talked about them with your friends. They are great wipes for your baby's sore nose. Now there are wipes for adults and older children called Saline Soothers from the makers of Boogie Wipes.

Let's face it, adults have boogies too. And sometimes we need a little help, especially when we're sick and our nose is all snotty and sore. That's when Saline Soothers are great. They have a saline solution that helps break up those crusty boogies. And it's soothing for a sore nose (and you know how that can be when you have a cold).

I have been able to use the Saline Soothers a few times in our house this fall. Zachariah had a bad cold for a while, and this was a perfect chance to try these. He thought it was a little weird, but it was better because it soothed his really sore nose. He didn't mind it after using it the first time. A few weeks later I got the chance to try it too, and I really liked it. It's terrible having a sore nose when you already don't feel good, but this really helps.

You can find Saline Soothers at Walgreens and Walmart stores nationwide. They are available in a resealable 15 count pack for $1.99 and recently in a 45 count mini tissue box too. Between Saline Soothers and Boogie Wipes, you'll have your whole family covered. Go check out their YouTube video about these wipes too- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUuaggNZ79o.

One of you will win a package of Saline Soothers like I did, pictured above. To win you just have to enter in the Rafflecopter form below.



*Disclaimer: I received a product for review. All opinions are my own.*

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The Steam Team in Austin

Having a clean home is often an important part of my job as a stay at home mom/homemaker. OK, OK, so I really don’t place THAT much importance on a clean house. (Really, please call before you come over if you care what my house looks like. If not, you’re welcome to come at your own risk. I still have a 5 year old.) That all said, I do feel some pride when everything is tidied up, cleaned up, and clutter-free. When the ceiling fan is dusted, floor swept and surfaces clean of various debris, there is a sense of accomplishment.

When I plan to have a large group of people over, I will scour my whole house. That’s when the big guns come out. I want m windows to shine and my floors clean enough to eat off of. Sometimes things like this are better left to professionals. Like using the Steam Team http://www.thesteamteam.com/austin-carpet-cleaning to get those carpets really clean and stain free. Just imagine how great your carpets will look in time for all those holiday parties and get-togethers.

The Steam Team in Austin is here to help you with all those things. They will come in and get all the dust, dirt, grim and more out of your carpets with their high pressure steam cleaning. Carpet Cleaning Hudson Bend will include spot testing, stain removal and carpet grooming. They also offer upholstery and leather cleaning plus dust-free hardwood floor refinishing. Be sure to give them a call when you do your next home deep clean to finish the job.


*This post was brought to you by your friends at thesteamteam.com.*

The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year Book Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 11/30} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below!

Your baby's first year is such an important time. There are a lot of adjustments and learning for both parents and the baby. They develop, grow, and change so quickly. As parents we do what we can to learn how to care for our baby in the best way possible. The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year is a book that can help you along the way.

The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year has hints and tips about caring for your new baby. Everything from development to helping baby to sleep. And they have food preparation ideas and recipes for baby's first foods:

Providing a healthy, delicious meal during baby’s first year can be an expensive and overwhelming challenge for new parents. The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year offers simple DIY baby food recipes that could be the perfect solution to your wallet woes. All you need to get started is a small pot, a small steamer and a blender—plus fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year gives detailed instructions for making applesauce, fresh fruit purees using pears, peaches, and bananas, vegetable purees using carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas, and poultry meals for babies. The book also offers vegetarian and special diet recipes, packaged neatly into weekly sample menus.

For parents who are making baby food for the first time, try starting with a simple fruit puree recipe, like this one from page 177:

Vegetarian-Vegan Fruit Compote

Ingredients:-1 apple, cored and sliced-1 plum, sliced-1 peach, peeled and sliced-1 slice of lemon-Pinch of cinnamon-2 tsp. brown sugar-2 cups water

Boil water with the sugar and cinnamon. Add the fruits and cook until they are soft. Squeeze the slice of lemon over the mixture. Cool. Serve as is or on top of a waffle or pancake (A great breakfast option).

The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year discusses tips for food storage, age-appropriate recipe alternatives, and nutrition information to keep your baby (and your wallet) happy and healthy.

I think this is a great book for anyone with a newborn or young baby. The recipe above is just a sampling of their feeding ideas. They are dispersed in the book with each appropriate age for feeding baby. I like the way the book is laid out with an age by age guide. It starts with things you'll want to know about newborns and goes all the way through to the end of the first year.

The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year would be a great baby shower gift for any new mom (or new again mom). I think everyone will find something helpful in this book. You can purchase it in stores and online. And I have a copy of the book to give away to one lucky reader. You can enter to win in the Rafflecopter form below.


*Disclaimer: I received this product for my review. All opinions are my own.*

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Kroger Milk Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 11/30} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below.



Kroger is known for their great value in groceries. I like their selection and variety of products that I can find there. Plus they always have great sales! And Kroger carries all of the big brands plus their own very good branded products that you and your family will enjoy.

Kroger has a great deal going on now that you won't want to miss. Here is a little more about that:

Want to save even more when shopping at Kroger? Purchase any four participating General Mills products* that your family knows and loves and Kroger will reward you for your purchases. It´s that simple! Head to your local Kroger to take advantage of this great offer:

From November 13th through November 26th, with the purchase of any four participating General Mills products, you will either receive free milk (up to $3; limit of 2) or to receive $3 off your shopping order** Look for some of your favorite participating General Mills products like Cheerios, Pillsbury Ready to Bake Cookies, Nature Valley Bars and Fiber One Bars Promotion varies in different locations. Please be sure to check your local Kroger Co. Family of Stores for specific deals and offers which include Kroger, Ralphs, King Scoopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith´s, Fry´s, QFC, Baker´s, Owen´s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Fred Meyer, Pay Less Supermarkets and Scott´s Food & Pharmacy What´s better than being rewarded for buying your favorite products from your favorite store? VisitKroger.com for more information and great ways to save and be sure to check out the Kroger Facebook page to join the conversation and share which General Mills products you´d like to stock up on during the promotion. *Excludes General Mills meal and baking products including; Betty Crocker, Old El Paso, Progresso, Hamburger Helper, Macaroni Grill, Wanchai Ferry, Yoplait **Promotion varies based on store location; check your local Kroger store for details (Cash Offer: Mid South, Delta, Mid Atlantic, SW Louisiana stores, Central Missouri stores and Dillons Missouri stores)

I know I'll have fun shopping for some deals on my favorite products. Plus I'll never refuse FREE milk...especially with prices where they've been lately. Name brand products like the General Mills ones they mentioned, are great to match with coupons to get the best deals.

Do you like to shop at Kroger? I have a $25 Kroger (and Kroger Family of Stores) gift card for one of you, so you can take advantage of their great deal too. You can enter in the Rafflecopter form below.


*Disclosure: The Kroger gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by Kroger and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.*

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Bob the Builder: Super Scrambler DVD Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 11/29} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below!

Bob the Builder has a great team in the Can Do Crew. They love to pitch in and help with everything that they can. You'll see this happen in the Bob the Builder: Super Scrambler DVD. Everyone gets in on the action to help the job go faster.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Bob the Builder^™ and his machine team lay a foundation for super-sized adventures in the all-new Bob the Builder^™: Super Scrambler coming to DVD, Digital Download and On Demand August 16, 2011 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. With the super power of tools, teamwork and tons of fun, Bob, Scrambler, Scratch, Roley, Wendy and the rest of the Can-Do Crew show even the youngest of construction workers that the Fun is in Getting It Done!

DVD SYNOPSIS

It’s super-sized fun in four exciting adventures!  Scrambler wants to be a Super-Smasher hero while he builds Farmer Pickles’ milk shed. He works alongside the whole Can-Do crew to get the job done!  Wendy, Travis and Muck show the team there’s more to strength than lifting heavy blocks and that following instructions is always important. Bob and his crew finish the job with the super power of tools and teamwork!

Episodes:

·       “Travis’ New Garage”

·       “Scratch and the Dream Home”

·       “Super Scrambler”

·       “Roley and the Fox”

DVD BONUS FEATURES

·       “I Love Rockin” music video

·       “High Tide for Lofty” bonus episode (Digital Only)

·       “Roley’s Rovers” bonus episode (Digital Only)

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2011

Title Copyright: © 2011 HIT Entertainment Limited and Keith Chapman.  The Bob the Builder name and character, related characters and riveted logo are trademarks of HIT Entertainment Limited.  Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. and other countries.

Type: TV on DVD

Rating: Not Rated  

Genre: Children/Family/Animated

Age Target: 2-5 years old

Subtitles: None

Closed Captioned: English

Format: Fullscreen

Feature Running Time: 44 minutes

Digital Running Time: 64 minutes including special features

DVD Audio Status: English and Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital

Program Website: www.bobthebuilder.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bobthebuilder

We love Bob the Builder. This was the first show that my son watched when he was younger. I think he was about 2 1/2. He was hooked after the first episode. He doesn't watch too many of the preschool DVDs any more, but he will watch this from time to time still. Building things and machines never get old, I guess.

You can get Bob the Builder: Super Scrambler DVD in stores and online now. This would be a good stocking stuffer for the preschoolers in your house. You can enter to win your own copy in the Rafflecopter form below.

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Auntie Anne's At-Home Baking Kit Review

Auntie Anne's knows pretzels. Walk into almost any mall and you'll smell the baking dough of pretzels from the Auntie Anne's snack stands. They are fresh and oh so good! Now Auntie Anne's has a mix for your to make your own pretzels at home. The Auntie Anne's At-Home Baking Kit has everything you need to make your own delicious pretzels and more.

The Auntie Anne's At-Home Baking Kit has great step by step instructions to make your own pretzels. You can make regular pretzels with salt or cinnamon sugar pretzels. Everything is included in the box. And You can make more than just pretzels too. Auntie Anne's has lots of recipe ideas on their website that you can use with this kit. The possibilities are great!

As you can see by the photos, my son and I decided to make the Auntie Anne's Monkey Bread Recipe. It was so easy to do. The directions are very simple and you don't need many ingredients. Most of them are right in the kit!

To make Monkey Bread first we followed the directions for mixing the pretzel dough. I used the ones for my mixer. (It made it so easy to mix and stir with the dough hook in the mixer.) They you let the yeast dough rise in a warm place. I always put my bowl by the oven vent as the oven is heating up.

Then we set up an assembly line to prepare the monkey bread after the dough was risen and ready. I tore the dough into pieces and formed balls, then we dunked them into melted butter. Zachariah took them and rolled them in a cinnamon sugar mixture and placed then into the fluted pan. (You can see had this part down pretty well.) From there all we had to do was put it in the oven and wait for it to bake.

Only about 30 minutes later we had a delicious dessert. The monkey bread was sugary, cinnamon-y, sweet and yummy. As you can see, Zachariah had no problems digging right in for his bedtime snack. It met his approval. Matt did give it a try when he got home. He thought it needed some icing on top, but I'm afraid that would be too much sweetness. Maybe we'll give that a try, though. I like it as is. It's best when you eat it warm from the oven.

You can connect with Auntie Anne's on Facebook and Twitter. And you'll find videos on their YouTube channel too. The At-Home Baking Kit is available from select stores and retailers. This will make a great gift or fun recipe to take along to holiday get-togethers. You have to try this great product with your family!



*Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a Blog Friendly PR campaign on behalf of Auntie Anne's. I received a sample for my participation, all opinions are my own!*