At the Fence

Zylie's Continued Travels

2012-02-09T20:51:00.001-06:00

The bear is in the woods! Zylie on my daughters blanket. #1

Hi Neighbors!

Here is a photo update on Zylie and M.

Traveling together! #2

Catching a nap. #3

A quick stop at a gas station. #4

Traveling again! #5

Art work while driving. #6

Goofing around while her brother fills the tank! #7

Ready for bed! #8

In bed together! #9

Bedtime snack and a glass of milk. #10

Well, here is the new entry! Go to the original post and leave a comment telling me which picture you like best in this post. Click Original post to enter through the Rafflecopter.

Cooking!

2012-02-08T15:46:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

How is everyone today? A really nice day to be out here visiting At the Fence. We will be updating At the Fence as we travel so make sure you keep checking back.

We have been doing alot of cooking and baking lately. ALOT! My little sister is planning on making a Cherry Pie, a Cake, Cookies, and more. Plus, she has been making meals and is planning on more. She will be in charge of the kitchen for one whole week. The one hard thing about this is that we use alot of pots, pans, and dishes. I don't know why, there are only 8 of us! We have one pot rack in the kitchen but it is so low that our pets (our Cat and our Dogs) can easily reach it. And that is something that we do not want! So we have been looking at different pot racks to see if we can find another one that would work easier for us. One brand I was looking at is Enclume pot racks. I believe the Enclume pot rack would work best for us. Or maybe one of the mounted wall Enclume potracks. What do you think? What type of pot rack do you like best? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Brought to you by your friends at : www.enclumepotracks.com.

Teton Sports Escape 4300 Ultralight Backpack

2012-02-07T20:57:00.001-06:00

Hey neighbors!

Here is another SUPER GREAT review and giveaway. This is another one that will run to the end of the month and will have added entries throughout the month. As you know we are on our way to Florida. Almost there! We are in northern GA, at a church we visit every year. Once we hit Florida we will be doing some camping and hiking. You can't hike without a good backpack. I personally can't wait to try out this backpack. It is loaded with many really neat features!

I am going to tell you a little bit about it in this post and reveal more as we go along. Now, we have not actually tried it out yet, but if it is as good as the other Teton Sports products we own, I know I will not be disappointed. I may have an argument on my hands though between the two boys about who gets to use it first.

This is an internal frame pack that is very light weight. It is a large pack, so it can be used for a week long trip or when you are carrying alot of gear. It does have an internal sleeping bag compartment, and a rain fly. Remember, I am going to be giving bits and pieces here and there and including more pictures and ways to enter. So, that is all I am going to share for now.

For those who wish to purchase one of these packs, be sure to visit this link TETON Sports Escape4300 Ultralight Internal Frame Backpack (Light Green, 33-Inch x 17-Inch x 12-Inch) .

Now, be sure to enter and take time to stop back by for more information and extra entries.

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive an Escape 4300 Backpack for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the website or email. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zylie Trip Update! New Way to Enter!

2012-02-07T09:52:00.001-06:00

Hey neighbors!

Well we are on our journey. M and Zylie are having a great time traveling and seeing the sites. I am having fun too, other than our vehicle was broken into. We parked it in a paid parking lot, and when my sons went back the driver's door was open just a little bit. They figured it hadn't closed right, put things in and re-locked the vehicle and left. When we finally left that evening they told us about finding the door slightly open, and we just figured maybe it hadn't closed. Well, we got up and prepared to leave the next morning and my one son noticed that the lock on our door was punched out. Apparently, whoever tried breaking in only got that far because nothing was taken. The stereo was still in place, all our CDs were there, even the Garmin. Why didn't we notice it the night before? Because we have one of those clickers that locks and unlocks the doors. We don't even use the key-lock. But it gets even better, after using the door a couple of times, it no longer opens period. So, now my husband has to climb in over my seat and the center console. Yeah! We are planning on having it repaired by the end of the week, when we get to our destination.

Ready to Travel!

Sleeping in the vehicle!

Traveling together!

Anyway, back to Zylie. We stayed in a really nice campground a few nights, in Trafalgar IN. They loved sleeping in the bunkbeds. We were also able to get a picture of some miniature horses that are down the road. Today we went through Louisville KY and stopped at one of our favorite stores, Half Price Books! They are so much fun! M and Zylie picked up some new books to read on the trip. We also managed to get some pictures of crossing the bridge. M is going to go swimming at the hotel, but I am afraid Zylie will just have to watch. She just takes too long to get dry!

Here is the new entry! I am adding this to the Rafflecopter of the original post so be sure to go back and get an extra entry! Leave a comment on the original post (http://www.atthefenceonline.com/2012/01/zylie-goes-to-florida.html) naming one of the states we have been in so far.

Downeast Basics

2012-02-04T13:00:00.000-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

How many of you are looking forward to spring? I am! I enjoy winter, but spring and fall are my favorite times of the year. I just love getting back outside and getting active in our garden, taking walks again. Another thing I like is I get to wear different clothing! I am not all bundled up against winter weather and you can actually see what I am wearing!

I personally love sweaters and capes! So, when I was given a chance to choose an item from Downeast Basics I jumped at one of their sweaters! It is a gorgeous Canal Blue, Dallop Cardi. Simply stunning! It has a chiffon flower applique on the front, and is a classic button front sweater. Light weight, and perfect for those spring mornings with a slight breeze, or small nip still in the air. Or perhaps an evening stroll with that special someone! This Dallop Cardi could be both casual or dressy, depending on what outfit you decide to pair it with. It is also available in Bungee Cord. A unique name for a beautiful color!

Downeast Basics has so much to choose from. My two oldest daughters love to browse their site. I know one of them has her eye on the Kickback Cardi. So, as you start to think about your spring wardrobe, be sure to keep Downeast Basics in mind.

One neighbor will receive one item from the new arrivals from Downeast Basics. US only.

Disclosure:I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sweater for review purposes. All quotes are from the website or email. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bald Eagles

2012-02-01T20:27:00.003-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

I took a couple of pictures the last few days of some Bald Eagles and wanted to share them with you! I was amazed I was able to catch these!

Hope you enjoy these! See you At the Fence!

Zylie Leaves Tomorrow!

2012-02-01T18:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

We are packed and just about ready to go. Zylie is packed and soooooo excited. She will sleep with M tonight and then after we get mail in the morning we head out. I think M and Zylie are going to have alot of good times! Wait till you see everywhere they go!

Here is Zylie, with her bag, sitting on some of the blankets we will be using camping!

Zylie is "bearly" able to contain herself. She has packed and re-packed. Everything fit in her suitcase, that matches M's. We will be sure to take lots of pictures of Zylie and M together on this trip. Camping should be fun! I hope Zylie does not snore!

Anyway, are you ready to hear how you can get a Zylie or Shen of your own? Just enter here on the Rafflecopter, and then be sure to check back, because we will be adding more ways to enter throughout the month! The giveaway will end March 5th and the winner will be notified by email. This is restricted to USA only. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this review. I previously received a Zylie for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email or website. All thoughts and opinions are mine, or M's.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prepping For Summertime

2012-02-01T09:22:00.000-06:00

Many people prefer to spend the long days and remarkably warm nights of summer outdoors. So as the
days are getting longer and the cold is ebbing away, that means it is time to think about the summer months and how you want to spend them. Whether you are gathering up the camping gear to head to the mountains, or heading to the cool shores for a breath of fresh open air, you’ll want to be prepared. You’ll need plenty more than sunscreen, after all, to get through the camping in the summer in most parts of the country.
Camping gear is a world of gadgets and cool items that you may get lost in. There is a lot to consider but only a few simple items that I think you should have on hand or in your car at all times. Sleeping bags and tents are great for those who like to rough it in the woods and leave the luxuries of everyday life behind. However, if you’re bringing along some friends who may be a bit fussy about camping without at least a few essentials, you may have to make some accommodations. Under those sleeping bags should go some sleeping mats, which can help to keep you from sleeping with a rock sticking into your spine all night. The thick, self-inflating kind is best for those with sore or overly stressed backs. Battery-powered cooking gear and radio equipment can also be useful in these instances, particularly if it satisfies those less accustomed to camping and helps them adjust.
If you’re heading to the beach instead of the mountains, you can still bring the tent for camping, but you won’t need as many blankets. A bonfire on the beach during a summer night can be an incredible experience, so be sure to check on local regulations for starting controlled fires and what permits you may need to obtain. Beach camping can be tourist-crazy in some parts as well, so while you may need to rely less on bringing so many supplies (stores are commonplace near the beach), you’ll need to focus on logistical and spatial concerns. Hopefully, the crashing of waves and the better temperature regulation near ocean water makes dealing with a larger number of tourists less of a hassle. And bring tent tarps just in case it rains!
Having the right summer camping gear, and the right state of mind, can make summertime camping a breeze, on the mountains or beside the sea.

Disclosure:This is a sponsored post.

Zylie Goes to Florida!

2012-01-31T21:20:00.000-06:00

Hey neighbors!

Everyone remember Zylie the bear? She is going on vacation with us to Florida! Zylie will be traveling with my daughter and occasionally dropping in here At the Fence for updates. We are actually leaving Thursday, but I thought we would begin the first post here.

Zylie has her bags almost completely packed, with my daughters help. She has borrowed some clothing from my daughters dolls, so you will see her in some different outfits. Every well traveled bears needs a few outfits for a month long trip! Tomorrow, Zylie and M will finish packing and they will load their bags into the trailer. We will be pulling a cargo trailer for all our stuff! Of course Zylie and M are bringing some books to read, some stories to listen to, and M has started drawing, so I am sure they will spend some of their time traveling, drawing pictures.

Zylie and M will have to share a seat with M's older sister and brother. Hopefully it won't be too crowded. But Zylie "bearly" takes up any room!

Now, here is the great news...we are going to have another giveaway, where the winner may choose either Zylie or Shen. Here is how this will work. We will start the giveaway Wednesday. I will have a small post, and include a Rafflecopter for entry. With each updated post from M and Zylie, there will be one extra way to enter. The giveaway will end the end of February, when a winner will be chosen randomly to receive their choice of either Zylie or Shen. So be sure to check back often to see how the trip is going!

My Feet are Warm Again!

2012-01-31T18:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

We just received the cutest, and I mean cutest pair of sock slippers! They are little, pink pigs! Lately my feet have been cold. Nothing else, just my feet. I think it has to do with my diabetes and the hardwood floors in the home here. I am the first one to complain of being too hot, but not my feet. I used to run around barefoot as much as I could, now I wear socks or these really nice sock slippers. They really Chase Away the Chill!

They actually come a little above the ankle, and are super soft, and super warm! The sole is non-slip, and the actual base of the slipper is a nice comfortably, padded bottom. I do have to hide them from my daughters because they will try to wear them when I don't. The sock slippers came from BunnySlippers.com. They have a wide variety of animal slippers. They also have... get this, Microwavable slippers! They have removable insoles, that are lavender scented. You heat them up, slip them back into the slipper, and enjoy.

The Pink Pig Sock Slippers are $24.95. Wait till you see the pictures! You just might want a pair yourself. You can purchase them from BunnySlippers.com. They even have them for men, but I think my husband would prefer a different color than pink. Maybe the Monkey Sock Slippers.

I encourage my neighbors to stop by their site and look around. They have some really adorable slippers! And they have them for the whole family!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a pair of slippers for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email or website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

More Whole Grain!

2012-01-30T17:00:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

Before my family got their hands on them!

Wow! That is all I can say. I received 5 Boxes of cereal from General Mills and My Blog Spark. I opened the package in the late afternoon, by the next morning one box was empty and 2 more were on their way! My family LOVES cereal! And not just for breakfast. They love to have a snack in the afternoon or right before bed and many times it is cereal. Two of them had three bowlfuls that night! (My husband was one of the culprits!)

First bowl!

Anyway, we received Total, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Cheerios. We all know how important whole grain is to our health, and the health of our children. Now with a quick glance at the box, you will be able to tell which cereal has whole grain as it's first ingredient. They will be marked with a white check.

Below are some tips from Dr. Stork, Emergency Room physician and host of "The Doctors".

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day’s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.
Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.
Don’t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don’t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

This was whole box was gone by the time breakfast was over!

Now, not only will you have a chance to enter here to receive the same 5 General Mills Cereal prize pack that I did, but if you visit the website www.WholeGrainNation.com you have a chance to enter their sweepstakes. They have developed an educational game called, "Fast Lane for Whole Grain", where Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grains as the first ingredient. When you do this you you will have the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check on them.

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Encouraging Children to Eat Healthy Meals

2012-01-30T13:10:00.002-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

Imagine, I have just started doing extra in the kitchen with my children, and Social Moms and Uncle Ben's team up to bring a post about making healthy meals for your children. Now I just have to tell you, that we add rice to alot of our meals! My husband could have rice with butter as a side dish every night of the week!

Just yesterday we created a really great meal using rice! We started out by marinating chicken breast chunks in a Teriyaki Sauce and some of it in a Buffalo Sauce. I personally don't like spicy, but the Buffalo Sauce won hands down with the rest of my family. The girls all helped prepare the meal. Anyway, after marinading the chicken for several hours, we placed the chicken in baking dishes and placing them in the oven. We started rice next. While waiting for the water to boil, we pulled out the wok and started stir fry veggies. Yum! The veggies included broccoli, mushrooms, snap peas, red pepper, carrots, water chestnuts, and those little corn things! With eight of us and one guest we had to do two pans of veggies. Unfortunately we underestimated on the chicken. Everyone wanted more! So, today we purchased more chicken and other ingredients and are making it again tomorrow!

Buffalo Chicken

I find that my children seem to be more excited about eating healthy when they help. My two youngest daughters, 11 and 14, are all excited because soon they get to do a the whole week of meal planning and cooking. They love to search through recipe books to find new meals to try. And of course my neighbors know they have started baking their own bread. Much better for you, you know!

Teriyaki Chicken

I try to use fresh veggies whenever possible to make the meals healthier. We also use alot of chicken. I try to use fish, but it is not a very welcomed item by most members of my family. I also substitute ground turkey for ground beef. While I would not label us health nuts, we do try to add healthy ingredients when possible.

Stir Fry Veggies

Now, Uncle Ben's is having a Beginner's Cooking Contest to encourage children to cook healthy meals. Have them create a meal using rice and then video them and their excitement over the meal and cooking, and then upload it to the contest site. Maybe they could win! perhaps my girls could do our rice and chicken with stir fried veggies to enter!

How do my neighbors encourage their children to cook and eat healthy? Do you have a special recipe to share? I know a few people posted a bread recipe last week, and we are looking forward to trying them!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Uncle Ben’s blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Dress Up and Growing Up

2012-01-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

How many of you have a little girl, or not so little girl who likes to play dress-up? My 11 year old is going through an amazing stage right now. Not only does she like to play dress-up, but she is starting to want to bake, cook, sew etc. One minute she is running around in a princess dress and cape, and the next she is making homemade bread all by herself.

She is the youngest, so watching her go through this stage is sad, but sweet. She goes from little girl to young lady. My husband said the Lord gave her to us to put a smile on his face. She loves to tease him in return. In the last week she has baked bread and made chocolate cream pie, all from scratch. She even whipped up heavy cream to make her own whipped topping. She did very well on her first tries.

We are working through a book from Keepers of the Faith called Keepers At Home. It has all sorts of ideas and projects for girls to accomplish to prepare them to be a wife and mother. They are both excited about working through the book. She is really looking forward to sewing and taking charge of preparing meals. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Aerobie Megatop

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Did you wake up to snow this morning? What a perfect day to find something for the children to do inside to Chase Away the Chills! How about an Aerobie Megatop. This is some serious fun, after you get the hang of it. You have to practice a little first. The Megatop comes with a good sized top, a string to launch it with, a Spin-Booster, and a Catching Plate.

Do some of these terms sound strange? They were to me! I finally got the hang of sort of back-handing the top on the table, then I found the Spin-Booster. It is a little rubber paddle to help keep the Megatop spinning. Pretty neat! The Catching Plate is so you can transfer it to another surface or you can toss it up into the air and catch it. Some other tricks are listed that you can try, but I don't think I will! You can come up with all different kinds of contests, from who can spin it the longest to who can make it go the furthest difference. You can also set up an obstacle course. They also suggest using a shallow platter and having them knock into each other until one wins! Oh, and I forgot to tell you, the top has two different tips. One is rounded for long spinning and the other is a traveling tip, so that it moves around.

I have to confess, my son got it spinning for a long time by using the Spin-Booster. We are going to have a competition and see who can spin it the longest. My children are very competitive when it comes to things like this. The quick launch accelerator easily achieves 3000+ RPM spin rates. AMAZING!

Would you like to own an Aerobie Megatop? You can purchase one online, just search their website, or you could try to win one here.

One neighbor will receive an Aerobie Megatop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tora, Tora, Tora Blu-Ray Edition!

2012-01-28T22:50:00.001-06:00

Hello Neighbors,

This review is somewhat different than most as it is of a classic film, Tora, Tora, Tora. I thought this would be a good item to review being historical as it deals with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The film, originally done in 1970 and winner of the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, looks tremendous on this new Blu-ray edition! Simply put, it looks like a modern film, not one from over 40 years ago! This film has been appreciated over the years for being particularly accurate in the details of this tragic event, which is exactly why it has been labeled a docu-drama, providing the facts while still maintaining a story-telling feel as you watch it. Compared to the movies of today, Tora, Tora, Tora is very tame regarding violence, although I was somewhat surprised and disappointed that a few curse words were in the film, despite its "G" rating.

This Blu-ray DVD edition comes LOADED with extra's including the Day of Infamy Documentary, the AMC Backstory, The History VS Hollywood and the very special Fox Movietone News Clips, all regarding the accuracies of the movie, as well as many other interesting features such as the Behind the Scenes Gallery, the Production Gallery, Commentary and the original trailer! In addition this Tora, Tora, Tora Blu-ray DVD comes specially sealed in a 10 page booklet that itself contains some pictures of the film as well as biographies of the main persons involved in that "Day of Infamy" December 7th, 1941 and the actors that portray these men.

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a copy of Tora, Tora, Tora for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email or website. All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

Fuller Brush Disposal Cleaner

2012-01-28T16:58:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

Fuller Brush Foaming Disposal Cleaner now has Rafflecopter. Please email me when you notice something is missing. I apologize that it was not in place. Thanks so much! See you soon, At the Fence!

See's Candies!

2012-01-28T08:43:00.002-06:00

Hello Neighbor!

How are all of you doing today? The weather here is gorgeous! So nice. Hopefully it is just as nice for all of my Neighbors.

Have any of you heard of See's Candies? I have and I heard that they were really good. Well guess what? They now have candy fundraisers! So if anybody is looking for fundraising ideas check them out! Are any of my Neighbors planning a fundraiser? Candy is always a great fundraiser. If any of my neighbors has ever tried their candies, leave a comment and let me know what you thought.

We are planning for our trip to Florida next month. It will be so fun! There are a lot of things we plan on doing, a lot of friends we are going to meet up with, and a lot of places to go. :D We are also planning on a short trip in March. My little sister is sooo excited! We are staying in a cabin for a week. We found some really nice ones that have some cheap rates! It has two bedrooms. Another thing we like about it is that there is a full kitchen, a living room area, and a porch! She is already planning everything she wants to bring, do, etc. She wants to go boating, hiking and so many other things. Anyway... it should be a lot of fun.

Brought to you by your friends at : www.fr.sees.com

Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet

2012-01-27T15:08:00.000-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

As some of you know, we homeschool. My youngest, loves history and has begging to read old poetry books or some Shakespeare. (Strange child!) Anyway, when I was asked to review one of the Sixty-Minute Shakespeare books, I chose Romeo and Juliet. These are designed to give a sixty-minute presentation of one of Shakespeare's works. There is an introduction, that includes tidbits on Shakespeare and his works, hints for the director, and some of the most often quoted lines.

Throughout the book there are blank pages for the director to write notes in. The play can actually be completed in sixty minutes. Now, I will tell you up front the problem I have is not with this book or the way it is done, it is actually that they take God's name in vain. Yes, I know that is how Shakespeare wrote it, but I personally do not care for it. So, I have allowed my daughter to read through the parts and we actually put together a small part she acted out in the video below. She is a ham! This is my daughter who loves to play dress up in frills and ruffles, and then she is also the very same child, who like to get into snowball fights with her brothers!

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare is an ideal choice for someone who does not have the time for the unabridged version, or for the homeschooling parent who wants to give their child a taste of Shakespeare or even the teacher who wishes to cover Shakespeare with her students.

This series is done by Cass Foster, who has been involved in all aspects of theatre for over thirty-five years. He is the director of a theatre program in a small college in central Arizona and has choreographed fights for numerous Shakespeare Festivals. He has directed shows and staged fights at theatres and universities throughout the country. Besides his obvious interest in Shakespeare, Cass is actively involved in the development of new plays for young audiences.

One entry is to tell which of Shakespeare's works this quote came from: "To be or not to be. That is the question." One of my neighbors here At the Fence will get to choose one book from the Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series. Visit the website GetShakespeare.com and look around!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email or website. All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UPrinting 50 Brochures R and G

2012-01-26T21:31:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

We are having another beautiful day here At the Fence. It is actually short sleeve weather outside. Not complaining at all! Do any of you have a business that could use some brochures for advertising? Or perhaps you have an event coming up. I know we have many uses here between 4 websites and the ministry. We seem to always have printing needs.

UPrinting is offering 50 Brochures:

8.5" x 11"

100lb Paper Gloss

With Folding (Half Fold, Trifold/Letterfold, Z-Fold, Roll Fold, Accordion Fold)

Front and Back Printing

2 Business Days Turnaround

*Free shipping

Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only

If you have won or hosted a giveaway with UPrinting Brochures, you may not win this giveaway. Otherwise feel free to enter.

UPrintings brochures look super great! I have received other products from them and have never been disappointed. Both the quality and the speed with which I received them impressed me. I have business cards that I use for my site. This time the brochures will be for my husband. I can't wait to see the results.

Uprinting is there for all your printing needs. Be sure to visit their website and see what they have to offer.

Disclosure:You should assume that the owner of this blog will receive free print product in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homemade Bread From Scratch

2012-01-26T13:32:00.002-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

I just had to share this. My two youngest daughters are learning to bake bread. They are 14 and 11 and have both completed one loaf each! With a family the size of ours they don't last long though! The minute they come out of the oven everyone wants some! Pull out a knife and butter and let's go.

Looks ready to eat.

Can you tell she is happy with the results?

Anyway, yesterday Modesty baked her bread all alone. Today she helped Mercy bake hers. They both turned out great! We did have to rescue Mercy when she forgot to put some flour on her hand before kneading the dough. They both did an excellent job and will each be making a pie, a sweet bread, cake, cobbler and cookies. I will post more as they work on these.

Sticky hands! Still smiling though.

Much better!

Looks good!

Can you taste it?

Ready to eat.

Have you ever made bread from scratch? Have a favorite bread recipe to share? Leave a comment!

SIS'S BIRTHDAY

2012-01-26T09:55:00.001-06:00

Authored by Rickey Combs

I have decided what I am going to get my sister for her birthday in February. I was looking through gift blogs using my Clear Internet Somerset connection and saw something that was really cool. When I buy gifts, I always try to buy something that I would like and also something that I know that the recipient would never buy themselves. Those are the kind of gifts that I like getting too. Anyway, I got a great idea to buy my sister a Pendleton Woolen Blanket. They are really works of art. They are hand woven fine wool. They have some really beautiful colors and prints. They have a native American flair and most are actually designed by Native Americans. The blankets will last a life time. I think that my sister will really appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making these blankets. I think that they will also be a perfect fit with her funky style. I can’t wait to give it to her on her birthday, she is going to love it!

Gorton's Grilled Seafood

2012-01-25T13:30:00.000-06:00

Greetings Neighbors!

Once again Gorton's is offering something great for my neighbors here At the Fence. Not only will there be a giveaway (more information later), but they have a Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway going on. It started January 4th and runs through February 9th. With all the New Year's resolutions that were made to lose weight, seafood is one of the best options to assist in reaching your goal.

We here At the Fence, love Gorton's Seafood. This time we tried the Grilled Tilapia Roasted Garlic Butter and the Grilled Tilapia Lemon Peppercorn. We served it up with rice and spinach. My husband was raving throughout the meal! He loved it! I think that their favorite was the Roasted Garlic Butter, but there was not any fish leftover. See the pictures!

Be sure to take time to enter the Grill Your Way to Gorgeous. The Grand Prize is a $1,000 Wardrobe Makeover and the 1,000 First Place winners will receive a coupon for a free Gorton's Grilled Seafood product. I am sure my daughters will be entering.

Now, Gorton's has offered 2 coupons for free product to 3 neighbors. Be sure to enter! You will love it!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive coupons for free product. All quotes are taken from the Gorton's email or website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Driving Tips For Moms

2012-01-25T12:51:00.000-06:00

Hey neighbors!

As you all know, we will be taking a month long trip to Florida and then spend the whole month traveling and camping. We will be returning the first week of March. So, what better time to add some driving tips, especially when traveling with children. Remember, we have 6 children, and although 3 of them are now considered adults, we have spent a majority of the last nine years on the road.

First of all, we plan as much as possible in advance. We like to know the route we are taking, and approximately where we will be stopping each evening. By doing this, we cut down on having to read a map while driving, or get concerned we past a turn or exit. I can't tell you how many times when we first started on the road that my husband would hand me the map and say, "Quick, tell me if this is the exit we need!". And I personally hate having to make a judgement call like that. So now we map out our route, so we don't have surprises like that! We also have a GPS now, but even they make mistakes occasionally. We were looking for a restaurant a friend had told us about and it took us to a golf course!

Another thing we do, is plan to have plenty for the children to do, packed and handy. Nothing like trying to drive and entertain bored children at the same time. This can be a major distraction! We bring, books, small toys, music, and occasionally a dvd. Oh, and plenty of snacks and drink. This makes for a quieter ride, less distractions, and the children are happier. And of course make sure your children are buckled in. A child bouncing around or climbing over seats could cause a wreck.

Now this should be a given! My husband is very strict about obeying speed limits and other traffic signs and signals. He has been this way since we first married. He has enforced this rule with every one of the children when they have learned to drive. We tease him about being a passenger driver. He is constantly giving hints and tips while they have their learner's permit. Sometimes they look at me and laugh. We have seen and heard of many accidents caused because someone did not follow basic traffic signs and signals. My husband lost his mother when he was 7 because someone went through a stop sign.

Another thing I would recommend is to keep your mind on the driving and not try to multitask while you are driving. I have seen to many moms talking on phones, applying makeup and turning around to talk to the children. I know this is a basic tip, but it really is necessary for safe driving.

Always be aware of the condition of the driving surfaces. Wet or icy conditions can seriously effect your driving. All it takes on a wet or slippery surface is a second of misjudgement and you can end up in a wreck. Just the other day as we pulled into the mall parking lot we slid a little on some ice. Just for a second, but we slid nonetheless. I can remember one time in Maine it was snowing and as we approached a major intersection we started sliding through the stop sign. A semi-truck was passing and we missed it by maybe an inch. So, be aware of weather and how it affects the your driving.

Last of all I will share an experience I had as a teenager. I had gone roller skating with a friend and her older sister drove. I did not know that while we were skating she was drinking. My home was on a gravel road. As we came down a nearby road the asphalt ended and the gravel began just before you went into a curve. As we entered the curve the car began sliding. Instead of giving it a little gas and guiding it through the curve she applied the brakes! HARD!. We ended up, upside down in a ditch. I was the only one injured, with a broken collar bone. So, don't drink and drive or ride with someone who has been drinking.

Hope this helps someone. Leave me a comment with one of your tips! And take a moment to check out Esurance's Facebook page and check out some of their hints and tips! You can like them here:

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Pringles and a Great Trip Idea!

2012-01-24T14:33:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

As you know from previous posts, my family LOVES Pringles! It is the number one snack that my 14 year old daughter asks for. And with a family of 8, everyone has their favorite. Some like the Original, others Sour Cream and Onion, and others the Barbecue. They are one of the snacks we have on game night.

Game Night! Board games that is.

Now Pringles has a new idea for using the can afterwards. You can visit their Facebook page and download and print activities for the children to use on a trip. Print them off, roll them up, and put them in the Pringles can. Now, add something for them to write or draw with, pop on the lid, and you are ready to go. My personal preference is colored pencils. They don't melt, and don't leave stains like ink pens or markers. They can be used for writing or coloring! You could throw in a small pencil sharpener.

Sour Cream and Onion.

Original for her!

Not only could you take these on road trips, but they are perfect for Dr. appointments, shopping trips, or even going out to eat. How many times have your children been bored waiting for the adults to finish talking. They don't cost much, and they are easy to replace if they get damaged. I don't know how often I have purchased little bags or bins for carrying activities and then had them ruined or broken. With a Pringles can, you just throw it away and use your next can...as soon as you eat all the Pringles of course!

Be sure to visit their Facebook page and print off some pages for your next trip. Coloring, Word Find, Tic Tac Toe, Riddles, etc. There is even a section for parents with a check list for Before Leaving, After Leaving and SOS.

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive some Pringles for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email and website. All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

Fuller Brush Foaming Disposal Cleaner

2012-01-23T21:30:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Do you have any odors emanating from your sink or disposal system? Perhaps you should try the Fuller Brush Foaming Disposal Cleanser.($6.99) We do not have a disposal, but we used it in our sink drain. We are in an older home, and the drain has a tendency to back up and also to emit odors. The Fuller Brush Foaming Disposal Cleaner has a fresh citrus scent. The natural citrus oils break down the grease build up and removes grime and odors. I personally think it smells great! Fresh and citrusy!

It is very simple to use. Shake the can well, remove the black cap, and place clear plastic tube on the tip. Place the tip down the drain or disposal and press the button. When you begin to see foam around the lip of the drain, stop. Allow the foam to sit for approx. 4-5 minutes, use a special Multi-purpose Kitchen brush to scrub the disposal, and then rinse well with warm water.

Now, Fuller Brush is going to send one neighbor their own can of Foaming Disposal Cleaner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sticky Monkey Labels!

2012-01-23T15:22:00.002-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Have you ever tried Sticky Monkey Labels? I received a sample pack, and they are not only adorable they work very well. I have not tried the labels inside the shoes yet, because I wanted to get this posted as soon as possible. My originals were somehow lost in the holiday mail, so when Sticky Monkey Labels sent me new ones, I wanted to share them with you right away. These labels are waterproof, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, laundry safe, and weather resistant. Not only that, you can personalize them with really cute designs. I had a kitten added to one and the other was done in Pink and Chocolate. They are really cute!

About Sticky Monkey Labels:
" Who are we? We are a couple of girls raised in small town Oklahoma. And we happen to be sisters. We’re the two youngest of five girls. Four girls very close in age and then me, Dodie, eight years later. And like most sisters there were instances of torment and torture, but also many instances of pride and admiration.

Chrissy started her family and continues to live in Oklahoma. Shortly after school I moved and settled in Arkansas. Then I too became a mother. And like all Mothers, being a Mom is the most important job in our lives. Our sisterhood became motherhood, giving us a deeper connection to each other and other mothers as well.

We have been there. In fact, we are there. Between the two of us, we have children in diapers, in preschool, elementary school, and even college. We do the shuttling from school, soccer, softball, summer camps, and field trips. Carpool, boy scouts, dance classes. Oh yes, we are indeed mothers! Mothers desperate to find a way to keep track of their children’s personal belongings, just like you.

Let’s face it. No one wants to constantly replace their child’s lost belongings. Not to mention the financial strain this can put on a household. Sticky Monkey Labels was born from this one premise. We needed a cost effective way to label our children’s belongings. And making them fun was just an added bonus! But more importantly, our labels work.

They are cost effective, waterproof, dishwasher and microwave safe, laundry safe, and weather resistant. And don’t forget they are super-cute!

Our labels are designed and created by mothers, for mothers. This is who we are!

Thank you for visiting our store and we hope you enjoy what you see! More than that, we hope you find our products as useful as we do in helping to keep track of your child’s personal belongings.

Let us hear from you and how you and your family have had fun using our labels.

Until then, Happy Labeling!"

My daughters are putting their labels in books, on clothing, anything they think is important. We will be doing the shoe labels too! With the labels for shoes, you place the foot shaped label in, and then there is a clear label you place over it to protect it. No more fussing over who owns the shoes, and hopefully no more lost shoes!

Be sure to visit their site, and then connect with them on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on anything new! Just think of all the possibilities! You can label bottles, sippy cups, school supplies, jackets and sweaters, backpacks, books, shoes, blankets, snack cups, toys, skates.... What can you think of?

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I received sample Sticky Monkey Labels for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the Sticky Monkey Labels website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Diamond Candles

2012-01-21T19:39:00.002-06:00

Greetings Neighbors!

Another cold, cold day here At the Fence! We have had alot of activity at our birdfeeders! So, here is one thing I enjoy on a cold day, it is to sit inside, light a couple of fragrant candles and watch our feathered friends visit. Or perhaps curl up with a good book. Nothing like Chasing Away the Chills!

Here are some of our feathered friends!

You can see it here.

Anyway, I received this gorgeous candle from Diamond Candles. It is Carnival Candy Scented. I have a confession to make here, I LOVE cotton candy! Now, I can't eat it anymore, but the fragrance of this candle sure brings back memories! Diamond Candles are soy candles. One of the most exciting things about Diamond Candles though is there is a ring in every candle! What a really neat idea! Each candle has a foil sealed ring in the candle, and you don't know what you will receive. You have to burn your candle down until the foil wrapper is exposed, blow out your candle, and then carefully remove the foil package. Inside you will find your ring! It can be valued at: $10, $100, $1,000, or $5,000.

It's going to be awhile.

So, my candle arrived, and of course I love the scent. We started burning it right away! It took awhile, and I have to admit, I helped it along by pouring out some of the melted candle occasionally. When we finally reached the foil package, we blew out the flame, and then used tweezers to get the package out. Inside was a little zip-lock bag with my ring inside. See the picture! My daughter thinks it is hers!

Still burning!

See the packet peeking out?

Want to know how it all got started? Here is the story:
"Let's start at the beginning of this love story that turned into a business. David met Brenda for the first time in November of 1978 when they were both still in high school. He knew the first time that he laid eyes on her that she was going to be his wife one day. They both realized that they were destined to be together.
Several years later at a picnic in his parents' back yard, David got down on one knee and proposed to Brenda just two years after their first date. She said yes!
Young, broke, and in love, there was nothing wrong with the world as long as they were together.
Throughout the next year, David worked long hours in construction and had been saving up every penny to be able to buy something nice for his wife for their anniversary. With their anniversary approaching, he went to the local jewelry store to see what type of gift he could afford with his hard earned savings. He soon discovered a diamond ring that he knew Brenda would absolutely love.
With the ring purchased, David rushed to the grocery store to buy a gift bag to put the ring in. He couldn't find any gift bags, but just before leaving he saw some candles. David knew that Brenda loved candles, and he decided to pick one up to go along with the anniversary ring. On his way out of the store, he looked down at the ring in one hand and the candle in the other, and the idea of Diamond Candles was born."

Found it!

Here it is!

What do you think?

Diamond Candles are $24.95 each, and are available in an array of scents! Be sure to "Like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. And last but not least, make sure you enter their giveaway at the bottom of this post!

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a Diamond Candle for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the Diamond Candle email or website. All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Perplexus This is Fun!

2012-01-20T19:00:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

It is a really cold day out today. So, I have a great Chasing Away the Chills inside activity! It is a Perplexus Original. These are soooo..much fun! Seriously. And, you can take them in the vehicle! Inside the clear ball is a small marble, that you have to move from start to finish on the little track. You can choose 1, 2, or 3. Sound easy? There are also barriers you have to get over and around! Not as easy as it sounds. You have to twist and turn the ball and work with gravity to complete your task. When you are done, work another track. The Original has 100 barriers to challenge you. The recommended age is 6 and up, but I have a feeling a 6 year old might complete it before some of us adults!

The Perplexus also comes in a Rookie, for beginners. (Ages 4 and up). This one has 70 barriers. Then for those who want a real challenge, there is the Epic! This one has 125 challenging barriers. So, choose which level you think you are up to and then challenge the clock or your friends.

Each Perplexus puzzle/maze comes with a difficulty rating. The Original is a 6, the Rookie is a 3, and of course the Epic is an 8. I am including a few videos of the Perplexus Original being played with. My 11 year old found it frustrating at first, but she didn't want to quit, she wanted to finish. My 14 year old tried next. She was a little more familiar with the Perplexus, so she made it a little farther on her first try.

Do you know someone who likes challenges? The Perplexus Original, Rookie, and Epic make great gifts! Or perhaps you want to help your child with hand/eye co-ordination. Check out Perplexus. You might just be amazed. Children will sir there and try over and over again to complete this maze! And it's fun too!

Now, how can you get your own Perplexus? Use their online store guide to find a toy shop near you, or perhaps you could win this giveaway! Yes, one neighbor will receive a Perplexus Original!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this review. I did receive a Perplexus for review purposes. All quotes come from the Perplexus email or website. All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Florida in February

2012-01-19T21:37:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

Guess what? We are going to be traveling Florida the whole month of February! So, here At the Fence we will be covering travel items, camping items, games, restaurants, and who knows what else during February. So be sure to stop by At the Fence and see what we have going on!

See you At the Fence!

Giving Guests a Goodnight's Sleep

2012-01-19T14:30:00.000-06:00

Whether you plan to have a weekly rotation of sleepovers for your kids or only want to be prepared should your friends drop in unexpectedly, you will want to be able to house guests comfortably. It’s easy to do, but not many people think about it.Most of us remember futons from our college days and not too fondly. That’s because we got cheap ones that were either handed down to us or they were just left in our dorm room when someone moved out.

Spend a little extra money to get something with some support and a good amount of cushioning. A cheap futon is cheap for a reason. Don’t force your guests to sleep on them, while kidding yourself that they are comfortable.

A step up from the futon is the daybed. This is a bed that can become a couch rather than a couch that becomes a bed. It makes a difference since its primary purpose is sleeping; they are designed to be more comfortable in that form. These are great if you don’t have a guest room, which many of us don’t even have the space for.Ditch the pullout couches and never consider buying them. They aren’t comfortable. Every time you sleep on them you feel like you’ve spent the night on a set of kid’s bunkbeds that are too small in a hotel that hasn’t turned their mattresses in a long time. Just get rid of those pullout couches and forget about them.If you do have a guest room then get a set of adult bunkbeds. Forget about the kids bunk beds that you slept on at camp. Today there are some quality bunkbeds that are absolutely beautiful. By using these instead of a standard bed you are doubling the sleeping space in that one room. This means that you can have more guests while using less space. Even if you only have one child I think you should get a set of kid’s bunk beds for their room. It’s for the same reasons that I suggest adult bunk beds in the guest room. Sleepovers get that much easier when you already have a set of kid’s bunk beds ready and waiting for that extra child.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Chasing Away The Chills with Peter Pauper Press!

2012-01-18T21:24:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

How is everyone today? It has been pretty cold here the last few days. We have started spending more time inside playing board games rather than outdoors playing outside games and sports. I have another company that will help you in your pursuit of... Chasing Away The Chills! Peter Pauper Press! They sent me one of their Lap Desks ($29.95).

These are perfect for on the couch/chair when you are on your computer, writing, etc. Really handy! You can also use this in the vehicle while traveling. Perfect!

They sent me the Orchids Lap Desk. It has some really pretty pink orchids on it. The bottom of it is a bean bag type base, so it is comfortable. Really easy to have on your lap.

It has a little ledge to keep your book/laptop/writing or whatever you are using from sliding off.

This is a really nice product that really will help you Chase Away The Chills! And it is soooooo pretty! The only problem? My little sister. She wants it now! I will have to remember that for her birthday!

Here she is using it to read in bed!

About Peter Pauper Press:
PETER PAUPER PRESS, founded in 1928, is one of America’s leading publishers of fine gift books, humor books, compact references, travel guides, unique journals, quality stationery, holiday cards, and innovative children’s activity books. We publish approximately 100 books and ancillary products per year.

One Neighbor will receive one Orchids Lap Desk!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SOGNO Coffee Warms You Up!

2012-01-17T20:15:00.001-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

We woke up this morning to windy, cold weather. Perfect for a cup of hot coffee! Have you ever heard of SOGNO? I received wto different flavors, and just the package smelled great! My family was excited to have a new coffee to try. Talk about Chasing Away the Chill!

We received the Vento and Cielo. We tried the Cielo first. Everyone loved it! Next we tried the Vento. I think my family enjoyed the Vento the best, but they were both great. What great taste!

From the Sogno website:

"Is it your dream to find that perfect cup of coffee? But among the thousands of chain coffeehouses and the dizzying array of trendy brands, where do you start? Actually, it's simple. Here at Sogno Coffeehouse, we know it all starts with the beans... and we're here to spill the beans. Truth is, many people have not had the pleasure of enjoying a real quality coffee. No matter the price, brand, or packaging, it all comes down to the beans. Sogno roasts only the finest Arabica beans in our one of a kind, custom-built roaster. The product is unrivaled: the aroma, the body, and that very first sip... it's like un sogno, a dream."

A 10 oz bag is $6.50, while a 16 oz bag is $10.99. You can purchase whole bean or ground.

How many of my neighbors here At the Fence would like to try a nice hot cup of coffee on these cold winter mornings? One neighbor will receive one small bag of their choice of Sogno coffee. US residents only and you must be at least 18. Be sure to find Sogno on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive samples of Sogno coffee. All quotes are taken from the Sogno website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Affordable Scarves and Scarves.net

2012-01-14T15:23:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

How is everyone? We finally took out our winter scarves! We have not had to use them much yet except for when we went Ice Skating. Yesterday some of us went out and had a snowball fight. Or rather a snow shoveling fight. :D My brothers decided that the snow was to soft to pack snowballs so they brought out the snow shovels and used those to shovel snow at each other! We managed to take some really neat pictures.

I am still feeling a little sick so I really bundled up. I had a new matching scarf and hat so I tried those! These are so warm. They are from Affordable Scarves. It is the Riley Winter Scarf and Hat Set. The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was that they were so soft. Nothing like the scratchy material most hats and scarves are made out of. I showed them to my Dad and he wanted them! I don't think so! Here is a picture...

This is a really nice set. It goes so well with my jacket. It think it looks great!

I received this set from Affordable Scarves but they are moving over to Scarves.net pretty soon. Scarves.net has all sorts of tips and ideas for wearing your scarves. They show you different ways to tie and wrap scarves, how to make your own, and many other things. Make sure you go check them out.

One Neighbor will receive a $20 GC to Scarves.net!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winter Game Night Snacking!

2012-01-13T14:52:00.001-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

With all this cold, snowy weather we are having our game nights have increased. Our volleyball court is covered with snow and it is simply too cold to play outside for long. So...game night is now more than one night a week. All eight of us gather around the dining room table and play whatever board or card game that happens to be our favorite at the time. Of course all of us gathered around the table means one more thing too... snack time! For game nights we prefer our snacks to be reasonably quick and easy to make, and of course with the decrease in activity the healthier the better. Social moms teamed up with Snyder's of Hanover to bring you this snacking post! Yum! Thank you Snyder's!

Pretzels are actually a pretty healthy snack, especially when compared to regular chips and cookies. We try to have the sweets alot less, especially since I was diagnosed with diabetes. Of course they still occasionally have a big sugar binge, while I snack on my cheese and pepperoni or perhaps a spoonful of peanut butter.

For pretzels, we love to put out all sorts of dips. My husband enjoys different flavored mustard, while the children prefer ranch, caramel or chocolate. When we have enough time, they will prepare the pretzels ahead of time by melting chocolate and then dipping them. They allow them to cool on wax paper and then devour them! It is also great to dip strawberries or pineapple in the chocolate. Pineapple? Yep, that's what I thought at first, but it is great.

If you like a crunch on your ice cream instead of getting one with candy in it. Buy a frozen yogurt or low fat ice cream and crumble your pretzels over it. This adds a little crunch, and the salty taste that you get when you add peanuts!

Another family favorite is a cereal mix. We take a box of Chex cereal, add pretzels, peanuts, raisins, and pour them in a shallow baking pan, lightly coated with butter. We them melt both white chocolate and dark chocolate (in separate pans). Slowly drizzle both chocolates over your mix. Lightly mix. Allow to cool and let the chocolate harden. If you wish you can lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar. When finished store loosely in an air tight container. (If it makes it that far!) Sometimes ours doesn't because everyone starts snacking as it cools!

Hey neighbors, make sure to like Snyder's of Hanover!

What types of healthy snacks do you enjoy? Neighbors be sure to share! We always love to try new snacks here At the Fence!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder’s of Hanover blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Reviews and Giveaways

2012-01-13T12:35:00.001-06:00

Hello Neighbors,

Just a quick note to let you know that I will no longer be using review and giveaway in the title of giveaways. So, please be sure to read the posts, so you will know which ones include a giveaway. Also a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has been leaving comments on the reviews and other posts that are not giveaways. I really do appreciate the time you take to do this.

One of our snowy, winter visitors!

See you At the Fence,
Lori Lyman
www.atthefenceonline.com

Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks Yum!

2012-01-13T11:15:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Here is something that became a big hit in my family! They are actually asking for them throughout the day! Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks are my children's snack of choice right now. We received 6 boxes of the snacks, 3 assorted fruit and 3 Berries & Cherries. Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks are made with real fruit juice and contain 100% of our daily value of vitamin C. They contain 80 calories and are gluten and fat free. And they have Double Box Tops available year round.

When my box arrived I received offers over and over, "Mom, I will try them for you!". Amazing! They don't volunteer like that for chores! Each box comes with 10 pouches of the fruit flavored snacks. Perfect for packing in lunches or taking on a trip. A perfect after lunch snack, at least in my home it is. I can tell these will be added to my grocery list. I do have to say though that the cherries seem to be the favorite.

Fruit shaped.

School break snack!

Even he likes them!

4 neighbors will each receive 6 boxes of Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks. (3 of each flavor).

“Disclosure: Ocean Spray^® Fruit Flavored Snacks, information, and giveaway have been provided by Ocean Spray^® through MyBlogSpark.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Q-Tips New Precision Tips

2012-01-12T21:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

This is the perfect day for visiting here At the Fence. It is cold and snow is blowing outside. In here At the Fence I can sit with my feet in warm socks, a cup of warm tea beside me, and visit with my neighbors.

Q-Tips are an always in stock product at my home. We use them for all sorts of different tasks. I clean my keyboard with a Q-Tip. We clean the dog's ears and around their eyes with Q-tips. And of course they are in constant use in our bathroom. Cleaning ears, removing nail polish or beauty products, I have even used it for cleaning and oiling the hair clippers. And of course they are perfect for applying ointment to cuts and scrapes. And with 6 children, we have had alot of those!

I love the new Precision Tips because the tip reaches even more areas than before! The precision Tip is pointed at both ends. They are perfect for cleaning my keyboard, and of course for the small areas on my camera and camcorder. They are also great for craft projects! You can apply a small dot of glue, use them to apply paint, your children can even build with them.

Can you see the difference?

There are so many uses for Q-Tips. We have just touched the Q-Tip of the iceberg! How many ways do you use Q-Tips in your home? Do you consider them an essential for your bathroom cabinet? Be sure to check out Q-Tips on Facebook for more ideas!

Disclosure:I was compensated for this post, and I received Q-Tips for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

Some Little Tips and Hints to Avoid Bamkruptcy

2012-01-12T18:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

A very cold day here, so I am staying warm inside, with a cup of hot tea on the way, and my daughter (11 years old) is making me scrambled eggs. She loves to do this! She sort of plays waitress, takes my order, cooks the eggs, and then carries everything to the dining room table on a cutting board. She's a nut!

Any way I wanted to take a moment and share some tips, that can help keep you out of debt, and help you avoid bankruptcy. Don't expect any great revelation, or a quick fix. These are just some simple tips and tricks that have helped us.

Early on in our marriage, before any children even, my father-in-law gave us some great advice. He suggested we write down everything we purchased. No matter how big or how small, and at the end of the day look over it, and see where we could have saved or made a wiser decision. It amazed us at first to see how easily we spent small amounts thinking it didn't matter, and how quickly they add up! The little things you don't even consider, like an extra snack each day, or the soda you purchase on the way home, they quickly add up. This is something you could do for several weeks, and then sit down and see where you could save or cut back.

Another thing we learned was to save our change. Yes, our change. We placed a container where we could easily empty our change each day. Then instead of spending it, we saved it until the end of the month and used it to pay a bill. If we were ahead, we would occasionally treat ourselves to a special meal. You would be simply amazed at how much change you can save in a month. We were also less likely to buy something small, like a can of soda from vending or a candy bar, if we had to break a bill to do so.

Charge cards! These can be your worst enemy! As a young couple we fell in to that trap once. Oh, look! We don't have the cash now, but we can charge it and make payments! Really! Why not put off that purchase, save the amount you would be making in payments and then purchase the item when you have the full amount. Wow! No interest charge either. It has always amazed me how much you actually pay for the product with interest by the time it is paid off.

Going into debt for larger purchases. The only thing I can think of possibly worth going into debt for would be a home. And even there you need to be careful. Figure out before you go looking, exactly what you can afford. Then don't change it for anything. Don't go looking at a home you know is out of your price range. It is way too easy to stand there and figure out a way that you could pay just a little bit more than what was decided on.

I better quit here as I don't want to ramble on. Neighbors, please take a moment to share a tip if you have one. You never know, you just might help someone else!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for bankruptcy california and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Does Your Home Need Insulation?

2012-01-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

I woke up this morning to snow on the ground and wind that is rattling the doors! I guess I can't complain with all the good weather we have been having. I am happy though that we recently replaced all the windows in the home! This is an older home, and some of the windows were just not air tight. Last year we had at least 3 we had to roll a towel and place it near the seal to keep out the wind. I am happy to say, not anymore! It is so nice to hear the wind howling outside and know that you have sealed off one way it used to get in.

We also insulated the enclosed back porch. After replacing all the windows there we decided if we put insulation in the ceiling and used a small room heater, we could actually use that room this winter. It used to be so cold back there, that we just sealed it off for the winter. Now, thanks to the new windows and insulation we have an extra room! The attic was another area we recently had insulation replaced. You know how these older homes are. If you don't perform maintenance on them they quickly allow in the wind, rain and snow!

The last step on our insulating process is we really need to replace 3 doors. 2 are absolutely needed, and the third would also help. Whoever cut these doors to fit, did a lousy job. The wind literally pours in under the front door! Another rolled towel to the rescue! It does get aggravating to have to keep repositioning it. The front door is the most important to replace to keep out the cold. It has direct access to our living area. The rear door also leaks, but that leads into the enclosed back patio, and then you have another door into the house. So, even though they both allow wind in and do not seal properly, at least there are 2 doors there to somewhat hinder the cold.

How about my neighbors? Do you have any insulation problems you need to repair? Any great suggestions to help[ keep the cold weather out and the warm air in? Leave a comment if you do!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for Continuous Insulation and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Mailboxes!

2012-01-12T09:30:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

How is everyone today? It has been unusually warm warm here. A great day for all of us to visit out here At the Fence. It is supposed to get colder and snow tomorrow but after that it is supposed to get warmer again. Crazy weather this year! How is the weather in your area? My sisters have really enjoyed the nice weather so that when they walk up to get mail they don't freeze! I spent part of the day today looking at the different types of mailboxes. The first I style I was looking at were the Keystone Mailboxes. I like the look of the green with gray, the black and gold, and the brown and gold. Then I moved on to the Classic Mailboxes. They look so nice! I really wish we could have a mailbox here at the house. Perhaps we should put one up just because it looks nice! As for the color goes I think I would have to choose the black and gold. I will have to keep looking. Gaines Mailboxes has some great looking ones on their site. Even if we don't get one!

Brought to you by your friends at : www.gainesmailboxesdirect.com

Chasing Away the Chill with Reverse Charades!

2012-01-12T07:30:00.000-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

Remember Reverse Charades? Well here we get to share them again, but this time it includes a giveaway! Reverse Charades is seriously so much fun! We took it to Chicago with us this last trip. So, while the boys were playing football and basketball, the girls and ladies all gathered together and played Reverse Charades. Talk about chasing away the chill! All the acting and giggling helped keep us warm! Seriously this is a great game to play inside while the winter weather spreads it's chill outside.

To play Reverse Charades you divide up into two teams. Each team takes a turn. Team One chooses one person to guess, while all the others try to act out the word. One person from Team Two flips the cards, which have the words/phrases to act out on them. When they get one right, they move on to the next card. There is a timer to use, or you can set your own time limit. Once Team One is done, they swap places and Team Two takes over. The team that guesses the most words/phrases in the pre-set time limit wins. Now the only other rule is no talking among the players acting out the words/phrases. We personally set down that you can not use props. Make your own rules and have fun! The cards come with over 700 words/phrases. I am waiting for additional card sets!

Wait until you play! I mean how hard is it to act out "underwear", "New York City", "javelin", Cow tipping", and so many more. Just the looks on their faces when they see what they have to act out is hysterical!

There is also an app for your iPhone or Droid that have more words/phrases. So, when you run out of cards, download the app!

The entire family enjoys playing Reverse Charades! The family that came and visited us just before New Years had so much fun playing, that they had already told everyone there about the game. I know my neighbors will enjoy this game, not just to Chase Away the Chill of winter, but year round!

Want a chance to play Reverse Charades? One neighbor will win their own game of Reverse Charades!

Find Reverse Charades on Twitter and Facebook!

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Lovable Labels Friendship Pack Review and Giveaway

2012-01-09T22:30:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors,

Now this is something I consider necessary! Lovable Labels sent me their Friendship Pack and Friendship Sampler. Perfect for your child, with a bonus for a friend! The Friendship Pack comes with 120 labels for you and your child to use to label their possessions. And the Friendship Sampler includes 40 labels for a friend! You can purchase this set for $19.95. These labels are available in either Bedazzled for the girls or Majestic for the boys.

Bedazzled Style

You receive either this Bedazzled or the Majestic below.

For mine my 11 year old received the Friendship Pack and she gave the Friendship Sampler to her best friend, her 14 year old sister. They love them. Not only are these labels great so they don't lose things, but they also work to identify what belongs to each girl. Since they often purchase the same items, or at least close to the same, we are constantly discussing who owns which one. The same thing happens with books! Now thanks to Lovable Labels, we will be able to cut down on these discussions. The stickers are great!

Majestic Style

You can receive this or the Bedazzled above.

Lovable Labels carries labels for just about any use you can think of. From labeling clothes and shoes, to labeling lunch containers and toys. And of course books! The labels are waterproof and dishwasher safe. Be sure to visit Lovable Labels website and see all the label choices you have! You can find them on Facebook and Twitter too!

Now, one neighbor is going to win a Friendship Pack, and a Friendship Sampler.

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Have You Ever Been the Wedding Photographer?

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors,

As you know from previous posts I was just the photographer at a friends wedding. My 14 year old daughter was actually my assistant and used the second camera. Between us we took over 700 pictures of the wedding, the guests, and some special shots. I personally would love to do a photo book or some other special photo related gift using some of the pictures taken at the wedding.

They were really on a strict budget, and I wanted them to remember their wedding with some really special photos. I think we managed to catch some of those special moments. I am actually hoping to do more weddings, and I think my daughter made a great assistant.

Since I have become more interested in the photography aspect, I have been searching different websites to find different ideas to help enhance the wedding. Did you know you can have wedding stamps made? I didn't. You can use a theme or a picture of the engaged couple on a stamp to mail your wedding invitations. Now isn't that a neat idea! You can also have special stamps made after the wedding from some of your favorite photos. I think we took several pictures that would look great on a stamp.

Anyway, both my daughter and I are both going to be working on improving our photography skills, so my neighbors here will be hearing more an probable seeing more of our experiments. Take a look at the couple of pictures I have added and leave a comment letting me know what my neighbors think. I value your opinion. See you At the Fence!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for wedding stamps and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Popcorn and Games!

2012-01-07T13:00:00.000-06:00

Hi neighbors!

Friday evening is our family game night. We usually choose a game or two, gather around the table, grab a snack and play games for a couple of hours. The snack of choice in our home on these evenings is usually popcorn. Sometimes it is microwave popcorn and other times we actually use the popcorn maker. It just depends on how much time we have before the game time starts. My oldest daughters like to try different types of flavorings for the popcorn so we often have popcorn supplies on hand. Cheese is the number one favorite, but they also like a pizza flavor.

Occasionally we will purchase a flavored popcorn from the store or a specialty shop. We have tried spicy popcorn, not really a favorite. The big hit was when I found some dark chocolate popcorn on clearance at a local store. It was $1 a bag. My husband and two of the children tried it and he went back and bought 10 more bags! They did not last long!

Not only do we have popcorn on family night, but it is often a side dish with lunch. The children love to have it with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or when they have soup. My only problem is having enough in the house. If we use microwave popcorn with lunch, we almost always go through 3-4 bags. Popcorn is also our favorite hotel snack. It is reasonably inexpensive, easy to make or bring with you, fills the children, and tastes great! For the hotel we often bring our seasoning shakers with us.

Do any of my neighbors have a favorite type or flavor of popcorn? Do you have a special seasoning you use? Leave a comment and share it with us!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for popcorn supplies and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Auto Insurance Made All the Difference

2012-01-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Here is one time I really appreciated our Auto Insurance Company. Quite a few years ago we purchased an older Suburban and we were slowly fixing it up. At the time we only had 4 children, and decided to take a trip to Missouri from Florida.

We all loaded up in the Suburban ready to go. We had just left the Tallahassee area and needed to stop for gas, a bathroom break, and to grab a soda so we pulled into a gas station. We all climbed back into our spots and headed out on the highway. It was evening at this point. My husband and I were talking in the front, while the children were talking quietly and having a snack. Out of nowhere a vehicle t-boned us! On a highway! My husband regained control of the vehicle and pulled to the side of the road. The other vehicle pulled up quite aways behind us. My husband did not want to approach the other vehicle as we were not sure if he had been drinking or what. There was an exit just a short distance ahead, so we pulled in to an empty gas station and used the pay phone to call the police. (Does that help date this!)

The police officers arrived and took our information. He sent another officer down the highway to speak to the other driver. The car had hit us directly on the drivers side hitting both the driver's and passenger's door. My husband's door would not open, so he had to climb out the window. Because this was an older Suburban it was built like a tank, so no one was injured. After filing reports we decided to go on with our trip. My husband quickly tired of exiting through my door or the window. Finally after a day or so of tugging on the door it would open if you used alot of force.

When we returned from our trip my husband had already called our insurance company, but they came out to check the vehicle. They also brought the insurance claim the other driver had filed. He wanted our company to pay for his repairs. Needless to say, we had the copy of the police report to compare with his statement. He claimed we were in a pickup truck. On a highway over 100 miles from where the accident occurred. He also had the wrong day for the accident. Our insurance company quickly turned him down.

After inspecting our Suburban and hearing how much we had already put into restoring it, they totaled our vehicle. We received the use of a rental mini van to look for another means of transportation. We were really hoping for another Suburban, but my husband thought it unlikely because of the price of Suburbans. We found one! Newer! One owner! And not far out of our way. Not only that, the price we had received covered the purchase!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for Oregon Auto Insurance and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

A Request from Me to my Neighbors!

2012-01-06T14:42:00.001-06:00

Hello neighbors,

As we start out the New Year I have a request to make of you, especially those who visit regularly. To keep this site up and running, and to keep reaching larger companies, more companies, etc, I could use your help. I have started doing alot more paid posts, and of course I do posts that are still reviews. It would truly be a help to me if you could come in and comment on some of these and also click on the links and visit their sites. I obviously receive comments on the giveaways, but I need more responses on the reviews. Please help when you can. I am not asking you to constantly comment on everything, just when you visit, take a minute and read the other posts and leave a friendly comment. Thank you in advance to those who are willing to help.

See you At the Fence!

Emerald Breakfast on the Go Review and Giveaway

2012-01-06T11:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Have you ever had a morning where you are too rushed to eat a sit down breakfast? Or do you sometimes need a quick healthy snack during the day, for you or the children? Emerald Breakfast on the Go has the answer! Their NEW Oatmeal Blends! My family loves them. I received 3 packs of each flavor, and my children actually hid some flavors so their siblings would not eat them first. I received Maple and Brown Sugar, Apples and Cinnamon, and Blueberries and Cream. To sample them we poured some out on a napkin for everyone to be able to try them. Needless to say my family grabbed and gobbled them down. Each of them has something they liked best about the cereal. One liked the oatmeal clusters, another the nuts. One loved the raisins and one the fruit.

Emerald Breakfast on the Go is also perfect for my family for trips. Each child can open a package and enjoy a non-messy snack. My family loves to eat cereal at different times of the day, and especially before bed as a snack. Now I can just pull out some Breakfast on the Go!

Remember to that eating whole grains like oatmeal, has been shown to help keep the weight off. Now you have the convenience of oatmeal in a handy pouch. So, as you head out the door, grab your bag of Emerald Breakfast on the Go and you can eat on the run, or have a snack later at work.

3 winners will be chosen in this giveaway and all three will receive 1 box of each flavor of Emerald Breakfast on the Go Oatmeal blends.

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A Wedding Photographer with Nothing to Do!

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Perhaps you will remember that in a previous post I mentioned we went to Chicago for a friends wedding. I don't think I told you what happened though. We called a day or two before and asked if they had a photographer, because if not I was willing to take pictures for them, and record the ceremony. They did not have a photographer, and appreciated that I would be able to take some photographs for them.

We headed out Saturday morning, the wedding was at 5:00 pm. I was asked to arrive at the church by 3:00 so we could take some pictures before the ceremony. We reached our hotel at 1:00, grabbed lunch and headed to the church. My 14 year old daughter came as my assistant. At 3:00 we walked in the door. The pastor and his wife were there, along with their daughter in-law and her 3 year old daughter. She was the flower girl and was getting her hair done.

While I waited for the bride and groom to appear, I took a few pictures of the dining hall downstairs, that was decorated for the reception. I managed a few shots of the decorations in the church and the guest book. At 4:00 I was still waiting. The bride had called with a small delay, but the groom was not heard from. At 4:30 the bride raced in to change into her gown, and I was able to assist her. Quarter of and still no groom! He walked in with 10 minutes to spare. Needless to say, this photographer did not get any pictures taken until after the wedding.

I really enjoyed taking the pictures, and would love to do it again sometime. As a matter of fact, the young lady who caught the bouquet said she would love to have me take pictures at her wedding. Only one problem....she is not even engaged!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for dc photographer and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Smart and Sexy Review and Giveaway

2012-01-05T22:00:00.000-06:00

A friendly warning, this post discusses underclothing, so if you are uncomfortable with that you may want to skip reading this post. There are pictures, but none of the product being worn.

Hi Neighbors!

This is truly a ladies only post. I received an Underwire Bra from Smart and Sexy. It is truly pretty. I will tell you up front that as a general rule I don't go around discussing underclothing, and I will not accept posts from companies I consider x-rated. Smart and Sexy carries a full line of women's underclothing. Some of their sleepwear is really nice.

Personally, as a general rule, I do not like underwire bras. I am always getting poked by them and consider them uncomfortable. This was not the case with the one I received from Smart and Sexy. It is all lacy and feminine. The adjustable pieces are metal, not plastic.

I will also be quite upfront about the panties. They are not quite my style. I have lost weight, but not enough to even consider wearing a pair like this. On top of that the coloring is definitely not me. Otherwise, I have no complaints about the actual product. It is just not me. I am sure though that some of you ladies out there would really enjoy these and some of the other styles they have available. Perhaps after I have lost some more weight. Anyway, be sure to see the pictures.

You might want to find them on Facebook or Twitter.

The winner of this giveaway will receive a $50 prize package. You do not get to choose the product, you will receive what they choose in your size.

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Sweet Tomatoes Review and Giveasway!

2012-01-03T16:14:00.001-06:00

Hey neighbors!

It has warmed up a bit here At the Fence, it is actually 24 degrees out now! Pull out the short sleeves and start the grill! Just kidding!

Anyway, how many of my neighbors made a New Year's resolution to loose weight? Or maybe you just want to take off the couple of extra pounds you gained over the holiday season. Do I ever have the restaurant for you. It is Sweet Tomatoes or Souplantation. We don't have one right near us, but when we visit Chicago we try to go at least once. We went last trip, and both my older daughters were upset they didn't get to go. Of course our good friends from New York like to go to Sweet Tomatoes when they visit Chicago with us too!

Sweet Tomatoes has one of THE BEST salad bars I know of! Sweet Tomatoes believes in serving everything fresh. You will not find a freezer or microwave in any of their restaurants. They start with a 55 foot salad bar, filled with ingredients to build your own salad. They also have a few pre-made salads like, Joan's Broccoli Madness or Southern Dill Potato Salad. Next you can choose from a variety of made from scratch soups, pastas, and muffins. And believe me the muffins are great! ( I ate them prior to becoming diabetic.)

For the month of January they will be featuring several whole wheat inspired dishes to help you start the year off right. Give you a little edge for weight loss and eating healthy. Turkey Noodle Soup with Whole Wheat Noodles, Whole Grain Fiesta Couscous, and Tomato Spinach Hot Pasta are just a few of the whole wheat dishes that will be available. Be sure to check their website for restaurant locations near you, and their menu options. My husband and both my older daughters love their soups and chili, which are perfect in this type of weather to take the chill off!

So neighbors, do you live near a Sweet Tomatoes or Souplantation? Will you be taking a trip sometime soon near one, or perhaps you have a friend or relative who would like to go? Be sure to enter, because At the Fence and Sweet Tomatoes are offering a chance to win 2 passes to Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation.

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Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T08:34:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year to all my neighbors At the Fence!

After a break we are ready to get back into the swing of things. I have a great review and giveaway going up later today, so be sure to stop back by At the Fence and see what it is! We are still in Chicago, and it is COLD! 13 degrees this morning, and I only brought a sweatshirt jacket with me! Hope it warms up a little. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how your weather is today! See you soon!

Mommy MD Guides Review and Giveaway!

2011-12-29T21:56:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Any of you out there expecting? Or do you know someone who is? Here are a couple of books that would make a great gift for someone you know who is expecting. Both of these books are chock full of information. The first book is The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth ($17.95). The second is The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby's First Year ($17.85). Both books are written by Rallie McAllister and Jennifer Bright Reich.

The Mommy MD Guides are each loaded with over 900 tips for pregnancy and baby's first year. The tips are from doctors who are also mothers.

Lets start with the Pregnancy and Birth. The book is divided into 4 sections, the first 3 dealing with the three trimesters, and the last dealing with baby's birth. Each section is then broken down into chapters. A chapter for each week of your pregnancy and them 3 chapters dealing with the baby's birth. The book is nice in that it is not information overload, and it is literally written in sections of hints and tips. Throughout the book there are boxes that contain questions and answers, like "When should you call the midwife?", and there are are also boxes with recommended products. The book is a well of information, yet it comes across in an easy to read manner.

Your Baby's First Year is set up in the same manner, with questions and recommended products. This book is also written in an easy to read manner, with each tip being shared in a friend to friend type style. The chapters are each of the 12 months of baby's first year.

Both of these books would make great reads for first time mothers, but I would also recommend them for all expectant moms. These are the type of books that you can read and highlight and then re-read as needed. The kind of book you will leave on your nightstand throughout your pregnancy and baby's first year.

You can find The Mommy MD Guides on their website:www.MommyMDGuides.com . This website is also a great source of information, you just might want to bookmark them. So if you are expecting, or know someone who is be sure to stop by their site and pick up a copy.

One neighbor will win a copy of both books. Pregnancy and Birth and Your Baby's First Year.

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Goalforit Chore Chart!

2011-12-28T21:09:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Here is a great website you will want to visit. It is called Goalforit, and the Chore Chart that is available is wonderful! I am definitely going to be using this again! I will probably wait until we get back from Chicago, but I really like this idea. You can go in and design a chart for each of your children, young or older! There is a kid's chart or a teens and tweens chart. You get to basically design your own chart. Add the chores you want, and if they don't already have it listed, you can add it yourself.

Child's Chore Chart

I love the themes!

From Goalforit:

I created Goalforit as a "passion-project" to try and help people of all ages bring more focus and personal success into everyday life by recognizing, developing and capitalizing on their own unique strengths & abilities.
That said, if you have any suggestions on how I can make the experience better on Goalforit, you can contact me directly by clicking on the “Contact Us” tab above.
Wishing you great success in all that you do ... and I hope you find Goalforit helpful.

Goalforit is totally free. Just sign up with your email and create a user name. They do have other goal setting features, but I want to stick with the chore chart. Gave you ever purchased a chore chart in a store, and then been disappointed, because it had chores listed that you child was not required to do, or there was not room to add the important chores you did want included? Chore Charts from Goalforit are the answer! Create them the way you want them to be. Only add what you want to keep track of.

Here are some of the chores!

The Teen or Tween Chart.

To start out, you choose which chore list you need, child or teens and tweens. Enter a name for your chart, your childs age, and male or female. You can choose to receive daily, weekly or monthly email notifications regarding your chart. For the children's you can choose a theme. They have some really cute ones! After this is completed you then can add chores from their list, or make your own. You can choose from Chores and Responsibilities, which includes things like; make your bed, get dressed, water and food for pet, take out trash, etc. There are many more. Next you can choose Behavior Goals; No hitting, be polite and don't raise your voice. Healthy Habits are next; brush your teeth, wash your hands and take a bath. Then if you find something is missing create your own. I did one children's and one teens and tweens. The teens does not come with themes. Online, they can choose a sticker to mark the chores done. Or if you really want to, you can print them off. Personally I believe online is best, why waste all that paper. The teens you click on and it marks it with a check mark.

Some of the Teen and Tween Chores.

Another feature is, they can earn points. You can set a point value for each chore. You can then set up a reward system. You can make a list of rewards, and how many points must be earned to receive that reward. I know my daughter is going to enjoy this!

Now, a few recommendations of my own:
1. Start out at your child's level. Remember their age and don't overwhelm them.
2. Start with the most important chores, and help them at first with remembering to accomplish their chores, and to mark them as done..
3. Be sure your child understands what is required.
4. As they proceed and are making progress, slowly add more items to their chart.
5. Explain the chore, and even walk them through it a time or two.
6. Make this fun also. Reward them for accomplishing their chores and having the proper behavior.

I really recommend that my neighbors go by and check this out. It could really be a benefit to your family. Be sure to stop back by here and leave a comment if you do, and tell me what you think.

Disclosure: I did receive compensation for this post. All quotes are taken directly from the Goalforit website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

How Important is Internet Marketing?

2011-12-28T14:23:00.001-06:00

Greetings Neighbors!

I hope everyone who visits At the Fence has been having a great week so far. I sure am. And we have company coming in tomorrow for a visit, and then we get to go to Chicago again for a Watch Night service, I love it!

Anyway, I wanted to share with my neighbors just how important an internet marketing strategy can be. I personally do not make any large purchases without checking them out online first. Of course I want to see what the company has to say, but I also want to see reviews of the product. I like to look around and see what others are saying as well as the company.

Here is one example, I have been looking for a new camera, and then a tablet or net book. While researching one of these items that was available on sale, I couldn't even find information on the product on the company website. Not a good sign. Needless to say, I checked out where people were giving their own opinion, and was not impressed. There were too many problems surfacing with the product, and since the company had no information on the product itself, let alone addressing the product, I decided this was not the one for me. I did purchase my camera based on what I found online, both on the company website, and from reviews of the product. And guess what? I love it. You will be seeing some information at a later date here At the Fence regarding the camera.

So I would have to say that internet marketing is what made my final decision in my camera purchase and lack of marketing lost a company a sale. I went with a different product, where there was more information available. I believe the internet is playing more and more of a role in purchases my family makes. My daughter purchased a new camcorder, but not before putting in a lot of research online.

How about my neighbors here? Do you research purchases online? How much does internet marketing affect your decisions?

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for an seo company and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Shaving Choices

2011-12-28T13:51:00.000-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

So glad you came out today to visit At the Fence. I have a question, do any of you have any teenage boys that are starting to grow a beard or mustache? Do they want to shave or allow it to grow? I have two sons trying to decide the shaving dilemma. My 18 year old has pretty much decided to go clean shaven, although every once in a while he is not sure. My 16 year old on the other hand is truly undecided. He starts to grow the mustache, and then shaves it off. A few days later, he starts growing it again. His dad has asked him to decide one way or the other. So we aren't constantly yoyoing back and forth.

Personally I think he would look nice with a mustache. It looks good as it is starting to come in. I don't think he is ready for a beard yet. It is not coming in even there yet. Their dad has a beard and mustache, and I love it. The boys are still trying to make their own choices and decisions. It's funny because they are so close in age that they were always dressing alike and now they each try to be a little different on purpose. They try to have their hair cut a little differently, and I think they will probably be divided on the beard and mustache issue for awhile.

I also think part of the issue is having to shave everyday. My 16 year old isn't sure that he really wants to shave everyday, but if he doesn't he has the start of a mustache again. Oh the trials of growing up! Have some advice neighbors? Please leave a comment with your opinions.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog about shaving and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Frosted Toast Crunch Review and Giveaway!

2011-12-27T12:30:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

Glad to see everyone out here At the Fence! It is a bit windy and chilly out here today, so I won't keep you long. I just received my Frosted Toast Crunch Cereal package, and the cereal is almost gone! I have a family of cereal eaters. Not only do they want it for breakfast, they think it makes a great snack throughout the day and right before bed. Needless to say, when the package arrived one of my daughters immediately took pictures and tried the cereal. So we have a new favorite in the house now.

The package came with a real nice pitcher, that says; "Frosted Toast Crunch". It is nice, but not what the children actually got excited over. The spilt milk bowl and the lickety spoon were the hits! My 11 year old walked around the house showing everyone how it worked. The handle of the spoon looks like a long, narrow tongue, with a curve at the end. She thought it was great!

Frosted Toast Crunch with 11 grams of whole grain, 9 grams of sugar, and a good source of calcium make a great way to start the day. Each toasted square has a frosted vanilla top (artificially flavored), lightly dusted with cinnamon. They will be available at the grocers in early January.

One neighbor will receive a prize pack, just like mine! Hurry up and enter!

Disclosure:I received the Frosted Toast Crunch Pack from General Mills and My Blog Spark for review purposes.

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Prepping for my best friend's bridal shower

2011-12-26T17:19:00.000-06:00

Guest post written by Jenny Presley

There are all kinds of things that I've been helping my friend with on her upcoming wedding. I took a trip with her to look for bridal gowns and have looked through so many wedding magazines with her. It's been so much fun! But it's also strange to think that she's getting married and I'm nowhere near close to that point in my life. I'm her maid of honor and have been working really hard to try and plan her bridal shower without her figuring out what I'm doing for it.
I've been doing all kinds of research online with my wireless internet Amarillo for some fun ideas. I thought that I would go with an autumn theme. It's her favorite season anyway so I thought that it wouldn't hurt to capitalize on that.
I think that she's going to love her autumn bridal shower. I already decided to go with some pumpkin spice cheese cake as part of the party, which is her favorite seasonal dessert. She makes it a point to eat a lot of it during the season, so I'm making that easier on her.

New Year's Eve Plans? Snack Time!

2011-12-26T15:34:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

This New Year's Eve we are planning to be at a church in Chicago for Watch Night Services. Basically we will have singing, preaching, prayer, and of course snacks. My husband and both my sons will preach. I love meetings like this!

Anyway, I wanted to share some snack ideas with you from Target. First off, I received 3 different Melba snacks from Target. The first was the Old London Melba Toast (Sesame), next was Old London Melba Snacks (Sea Salt) and last was the Old London Melba Snacks Roasted Garlic. Now we pulled ours out for game night and had them with cheddar cheese on them. They taste great by the way! I didn't really have enough time to put together one of theior recipes, but I will include a couple here if you would like to try them.

The Lemon Meringue Tarts would be a favorite in my family!

Lemon Meringue Tarts

Yields about 24 tarts

INGREDIENTS:

1 box Melba Snacks Whole Grain

Lemon Curd

Meringue

For Lemon Curd

Yield: 2 cups

1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces

1. Whisk together zest, lemon juice, sugar and eggs in a 2-quart heavy saucepan.

2. Add butter all at once and cook over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk and first bubbles appear on surface, about 10 minutes.

3. Immediately pour curd through a fine sieve into a bowl, then chill, covered.

For Meringue

3 large egg whites, at room temperature 30 minutes

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks.

2. Increase speed to high and add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until meringue just holds stiff, glossy peaks. Assemble Tarts.

3. Preheat over to 350°F.

4. Spoon cold lemon curd in a large re-sealable plastic bag and remove any air pockets; knead slightly.

5. Cut one corner tip off the bag which allows you to squeeze the cold curd onto the toast.

6. Gently squeeze the lemon curd onto the toast, making sure to have a smooth, flat top.

7. Add a dollop of meringue decoratively over the filling.

8. Immediately bake until meringue is golden-brown, 8-10 minutes.

The next recipe, Atlantic Salmon Bites, probably only my husband and older daughter would like, but perhaps some of my neighbors would enjoy it too.

Atlantic Salmon Bites

Yields ~24 bites

INGREDIENTS:

1 box Melba Snacks Roasted Garlic

1 “flat” salmon fillet with skin, about 2 pounds

1 8-ounce 1/3 less fat cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons low fat sour cream

2 tablespoons dried chives

DIRECTIONS:

For Spread

Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and chives in medium bowl until smooth.

For Salmon

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Line broiler pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

3. Pat fish dry and check for bones; remove any bones with pliers.

4. Cut fillet into about 1 inch odd sizes.

5. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper, then broil 5 inches from heat 5-10 minutes.

Assemble Bites

1. Spread each roasted garlic Melba Snack with cream cheese, and top with cooked salmon; garnish with lemon if desired.

Or maybe you would like to try the Crab Cake Planks!

Crab Cake “Planks”

Yields 10 “Planks”

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup minced green onions

2 large egg yolks

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

3/4 teaspoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay)

1 pound blue crabmeat or Dungeness crabmeat

2 cups Old London Bread Crumbs Classic

1 box Melba Toast Sourdough

Remoulade, tarter sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Lemon slices (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS

1. Whisk together mayonnaise, green onions, egg yolks, lemon juice, mustard, and Old Bay. Gently stir in crabmeat.

2. Place Melba Toast Sourdough on cookie sheet, and form 2 heaping teaspoons crab mixture onto each Toast. Gently coat moist crab mixture with bread crumbs.

3. Chill, covered, at least 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 400°F.

5. Bake crab cakes in batches in middle of oven until crisp and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.

6. Transfer with a spatula to a platter and garnish with lemon and serve with your favorite sauce.

And last, but certainly not the least is the Chocolate Pistachio Crunch.

Chocolate Pistachio Crunch

Yields 40 snacks

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups (2-12-oz. pkg.) of semi sweet chocolate dark chips (not milk chocolate)

1 box Melba Snacks Sea Salt

1 cup of pistachios, chopped and toasted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Stir chocolate in large bowl set over saucepan of boiling water until melted and smooth making sure that water does not touch bowl and that the chocolate does not get too hot.

2. Remove from over water.

3. Dip into melted chocolate to cover half the Melba Snack.

4. Gently shake off excess chocolate.

5. Place on baking sheet and quickly sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

6. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.

Each of these recipes seems easy enough to make, and anyone of them should be a hit at your New Year's Eve get together. So stop by Target and pick up some Old London Snacks. Let me know if you try one of them! And if you have another recipe be sure to share.

Reverse Charades Review!

2011-12-24T16:19:00.000-06:00

Greetings neighbors!

Here is another last minute idea for a gift, though I have to tell you, an even better idea is have this game for your New Years Eve party or get together. Reverse Charades, talk about a great ice breaker! My family played this, and at first it started out a bit stiff because everyone was embarrassed, but after a round or two, it got really silly! We just played as a family.

Here is how Reverse Charades normally works. First you divide everyone up into two teams. Decide which team goes first. Team 1 chooses one person to guess, and the others all stand up to act out the words. With this game there is no preparation ahead of time and no talking or mouthing words or information is allowed. Team 2 chooses one player to pull the word cards out of the box and show them to team one, not to the person guessing. Flip the timer and begin! The person holding the cards pulls one out and shows it to team one, who start acting out the word/s. This can actually get pretty funny, because everyone starts doing their own thing. As soon as the person guesses right they go on to the next card. You have one minute, using the timer, to complete as many word/s as possible. The group acting out the word/s can pass on a card, but they are only allowed one pass. After team one is done, they earn one point for each word they got correct. Team two then takes a turn. You can set a number of rounds ahead of time, and the one with the most points at the end, wins!

As a family we played Reverse Charades a little different. We had one card turner, 1-2 people guessing, and the rest acted out the word/s. Some of them are hysterical! Sometimes you can act out the word itself, like squat, amd other times it is easier to break it down, like wheel chair, or roller skating. I think one of our funniest was fire hydrant, unfortunately, my daughter thought she was recording it, and didn't. And it is just one of those moments you can't relive. I do have a couple of videos attached for you to watch.

As I said earlier, this would make a great New Years Eve game whether you get together with a group, or if it is just your family. I definitely recommend this game, and I think it became a family favorite overnight. We have some friends coming to visit, and I have a feeling we will be pulling out Reverse Charades again!

Reverse Charades is one of the games we discovered at ChiTAG. We certainly enjoyed our time there, and found many new fun games and toys! Reverse Charades can be purchased online, or use their store locator to find a store near you that carries Reverse Charades. (approx. 24.99).

So if you are looking for a fun new game, be sure to try Reverse Charades. Try following them on Twitter and "Like" them on Facebook.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a copy of Reverse Charades for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the Reverse Charades website or email. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Blis Review and Giveaway

2011-12-24T14:00:00.000-06:00

Grand Gift Guide At the Fence Post

Hello Neighbors!

We finished up re-arranging the Rooms we were working on yesterday and it looks really good! We are trying to get everything organized and keep it that way. Speaking of organizing I have a product that will help you do just that! This amazing product is... BLIS! An online organizing system! It is the...

Best

Life

Information

System

Here is some information about BLIS... "We suspect we are a lot like you --- trying to meet the demands of information overload and having enough time for family, work and play. We are sisters, wives, daughters, friends, working mothers, home-owners, grocery shoppers, cooks, taxi drivers to our kids, and most recently, co-founders of BLIS, the system which keeps us from losing our minds. "I remember a conversation Tricia and I had about how we felt we were living one day at a time and feeling totally disorganized. I had a long 'to do list' (which I had misplaced, but I knew it was long) and I knew I could have more time for family, and play, if I could just get a handle on all the 'home stuff'," recalls Tracy Coe, co-founder of BLIS. We found that our work-life was pretty organized, but we desired that same level of organization within our home-life. We knew we could have more time for fun, family, and friends, if we didn't spend so much time looking for important paperwork, remembering where the grocery list was or trying to find the plumber's phone number which was scribbled on a napkin...and now is nowhere. Running the house can feel like a full-time job. We desperately want a tool that would put all that important information in one place -- something that is savvy, easy to use, and mobile. Such was the birth of BLIS: Best Life Information System, a Comprehensive Home Management System."

This is a great product! I can easily see how it would be a big help. Especially in our family of eight! Here are some pictures I took while testing Blis...

This is something I added the the calendar!

This is really neat! It has Calendar, To Do and to Plan, Home, Health, Activities, My Choice (whatever you want!), and Address Book. So helpful! This would be great for my family because we are so large.

You can fill out a calendar, a to do list, shopping list, address book and many more!

In the Home section you can have information to keep track "of when you last changed the smoke detector batteries, which neighbors have your extra keys, and who borrowed your cordless drill. This section also allows you to list your home inventory, appliance warranty records, and financial accounts and contacts in one central location." In the Health section you can document "the results of a routine doctor’s visit and saving it to the health history, uploading test results and reports instead of creating a new file in the filing cabinet, listing and printing questions for your next visit so you won’t forget when you’re there and keeping track of prescription information for refilling."

One Neighbor will receive a one year membership! Wow! Here is a little bit of info about what you will be receiving...

"• 1-year online Blis Membership

• Multi-User & Multi-Home functionality
• Attractive Design
You’ll wonder how you ever survived without your BLIS. BLIS allows you to access important household information remotely and conveniently. The easy to use program seamlessly guides you from initial input to daily use. BLIS is organized into 7 thoughtful sections: Calendar, To Do & To Plan, Home, Health, Activities, My Blis and Address Book."

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Floppets Review and Giveaway

2011-12-23T21:30:00.000-06:00

Hi Neighbors!

I hope you are having as nice a day I am. Sitting at my desk working with my family around me, music playing, and just enjoying the day! I have another product I wanted to take time to share with you. I found this at ChiTAG and think it is a really cute idea! They are called Floppets! They are cute little animals, that attach to a small piece of velcro strip, that you can then wrap around a pony tail, purse strap, attach them to a bracelet or a strap on your sandals even a finger. You can then take your little friend with you everywhere. Their logo is: "They go WEAR you go!" We received a Chicago Toy and Game Fair badge, and then we were able to choose a skunk, pig, and a cow. They are really cute!

Floppets:

Floppets by Zydeco Studios are the homegrown brainstorm of Ilyse Brainin, a passionate reading teacher. Ilyse’s vision is to create cool, fun, and affordable transmedia toys and novelties that are story driven.
Floppets are a clever, cute and customizable collection of characters you can attach to anything! Wear them on your finger or add them to your most personal accessories. Floppets allow you to demonstrate how clever you are by “wear” you attach them! You can collect, share, wear, and trade them with everyone!

Collect them, trade them, wear them, give them as gifts, there is so much you can do with the Floppets! You can purchase 6 Floppets for $14.95 plus shipping on Amazon. Great little gift idea!

One neighbor will receive 1-cow and 1-pig Floppet. Hurry up and enter soon!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive 3 Floppets for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

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Educational Insights Sneak Peek!

2011-12-23T15:30:00.000-06:00

Hey Neighbors!
I received a special package with a sneak peek at a new product EI has coming out in 2012. His name is Kai! My daughter thinks he is really cute. They claim he is an alien, but she is positive he looks like a frog, so a frog he is...today at least. He actually has two friends Lex and Fez. They are puppets on a stick! They are so easy to use with the little lever on the stick, that even a young child can make the mouth move. You can also open and close the mouth by pulling on the ball on the end of the stick.

Kai, a Stick Puppet from Educational Insights.

Doesn't he have a cute face?

Lever for moving mouth.

Kai and friends could provide hours of fun for you children and their friends, or for just one child. They can make Kai, Lex and Fez talk, or create a play. Have them put on a small play one night for family night. Or for a school assignment, you could have them write a play, with scenes and props.

You can purchase Kai and his friends from Educational Insights for $23.99. I want to thank Educational Insights for all the GREAT products they have shared this year, and for the giveaways they have participated in! Thanks EI!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive Kai for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the EI email or website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Doodlebuckets Error! Please read!

2011-12-23T15:08:00.001-06:00

Our apologies neighbors! Apparently the Rafflecopter was accidentally omitted. Please stop by At the Fence now to enter. We have corrected the error. If you ever notice an error like this please email, so we can correct as soon as possible. Thank you!

Doodlebuckets Review and Giveaway

2011-12-22T21:57:00.002-06:00

Grand Gift Guide At the Fence Post #

Hello Neighbors!

How is everyone today? We have had a great day! I have yet another great gift idea. Doodlebuckets! They have so many great Christmas Gifts. They sent me their Chocolate Delight Holiday Gift Basket...

Here is a little bit of information about Doodlebuckets... "Doodlebuckets Family Gift Store was established in 2002 with an aim toward service, integrity, and quality. We provide our customers with high quality gifts, excellence in customer service, and a generous return policy. We aim to please and are not satisfied until our customers are satisfied."

This Gift Basket is great! It came with :

Prestige Bar, 60% Dark Cacao
Milk Chocolate Prestige Bar 3.0oz
Milk Chocolate with Caramel filled 3.5oz
Milk Squares
Dark Squares
Milk Square with Caramel

My Dad is a big fan of the Ghiradelli Chocolates so he loved this basket. As soon as it came in he tried grabbing them! I don't think so! Once I took the pictures I couldn't keep him back. :D He liked the Dark Chocolate the best, but he also liked the Caramel and the Hazelnut. Here are some pictures of our Gift Basket...

It came with all you needed so you can arrange it yourself!


This is what it came with. 3 large and 6 small.

Sooo good!

My Gift Basket!

Doodlebuckets has some really great products that would make great gifts! Like a variety of Baby Gifts (even Diaper Cakes!). So many items! So make sure you go check them out. You can also Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, and keep an eye on the Doodlebuckets Blog to stay up with their latest news!

Guess what!?! One Neighbor will receive the Chocolate Delight Holiday Gift Basket! Yay!

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Backyard X-Scapes!

2011-12-22T20:50:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

We have more snow! It was snowing most of the day today. The snowflakes were very big. My little sister is so excited!

We had alot of fun this afternoon (sort of:), we totally rearranged our Dining Room and Living Room area and our Study! It looks really nice now. By changing things around it gives us more space and I personally think that it looks better this way.

Speaking of changes, I am not sure if you remember, but recently we put fencing around our backyard. It looks really great! (As you can tell by our new background.) I have also been looking at bamboo fencing for our front yard. I think it would look nice. I have been researching all the different types, colors, and styles. They even have bamboo paneling. I think I like the Natural look the best. It looks so ... natural! :D

What do you think? Have you ever had bamboo fencing or know somebody who does? Leave your thoughts or comments and let us know.

Brought to you by your friends at : www.backyardxscapes.com

Gift Cards Make Great Gifts!

2011-12-21T14:12:00.002-06:00

Hello Neighbors,

As you all know from previous posts I hate crowds. So what better way to give gifts than to give a gift card. I personally love to receive gift cards where I can shop the after holiday sale. Gift cards also make great gifts for the hostess of any parties you attend. You can always give the hostess a gift card for her favorite store or restaurant. They are also perfect for couples with young children to give them a card with a gift card to a restaurant enclosed and a note that you will watch their children so they can go out on a date. For gift exchanges you can give gift cards to unique bath and body shops, candy and bakery stores, or a special coffee shop. For a unique gift you can bake them so cookies, buy a refillable coffee mug and give a gift card to the local coffee shop. Another special way to give gift cards, if you are crafty, would be a gift card bouquet. You could attach the gift cards to floral sticks and add ribbons, flowers, and leaves at your discretion. You could do four or five five to ten dollar gift cards this way and give a gift they will remember. Another idea for expectant parents would be gift cards to specialty baby stores. College students and those who travel would certainly appreciate phone cards. One year we wrapped a gift card in a small box, which we then put in a larger box, and then an even larger box, which we gift wrapped real pretty. This would make a great way to give several gift cards in the small box and really surprise someone.

I personally like to receive gift cards for Bath and Body, my favorite restaurants like Longhorn, Coldstone, and just about any department store. Gift cards give me the ability to purchase things in the scent I like, the right size needed, and cuts down on returns of gifts that don't fit.

Neighbors, do you like to receive gift cards? And if so why, and what unique ideas do you have for giving gift cards? Be sure to leave a comment, let me know what you think, and share your ideas with our other neighbors here At the Fence.

Be sure to check out Gift Cards Rock where they list special and other information on gift cards available. Make sure to like Gift Cards Rock so that you will stay updated on their latest information.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Gift Cards Rock blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

eGifting with First Data Review

2011-12-20T20:24:00.003-06:00

Gift Guide Post #

Hey Neighbors!

Any of you have some last minute gifts that you haven't decided on yet? Here is a really neat idea. eGifting with First Data. You can purchase gift cards and email them to your friends and family! You can purchase cards for Wal-mart, Cold Stone Creamery, Boston Market, Burger King and others. You can see the list here.

I received a Puppy Gift Card!

eGifting with First Data is so easy. You choose which store you you want a gift card from, and choose the amount. Next you decide who you want to send one to! You can choose one friend or several friends. Then you decide whether you want the gift card delivered by emailed or snail mail. Right now, email might be best! You purchase the eGifts with your charge card.

I did not purchase any myself, but I did receive one! A $5 Walmart eGift that came in my email. You do have to wait one hour from purchase time to actually print it off, but I had no trouble using it at my local Walmart. My son used it towards his new fish tank!

eGift cards make the perfect gift for a hostess, an office party, or maybe you know a couple that could use a date, give them an eGift card, and offer to watch the children. Use your imagination and come up with a unique way to give your gift card. Neighbors leave your thoughts here on this post about a special way to give an eGift.

Disclosure:I received a $5 eGift card for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email or website, all thoughts and opinions are mine.

Pure Integrity Soy Candles Review and Giveaway!

2011-12-19T22:00:00.000-06:00

Gift Guide Post #

Hi Neighbors!

As the Gift Guide is winding down, I want to remind you to keep stopping by for last minute gift ideas, and there are still a few giveaways going up. This is one of them. Pure Integrity Soy Candles sent me a Cocoa Mint scented 16 oz. soy candle! All you need to do is remove the lid and inhale to feel better! Since I can't have my sweets in food form anymore, I will take them in candle form! I LOVE candles that scent the whole room. I also received 2 tealights in Summer Breeze! This has a light, clean fragrance! The 16 oz. has two wicks.

I stepped outside to try to get a picture of some birds at our feeders, and when I walked back in I was greeted with a sweet, chocolatey, minty fragrance! Wonderful!

I wanted to ask my neighbors what you know about soy candles. I am impressed with the information I received from Pure Integrity. Here are some helpful hints from Pure Integrity:

1. Keep your wicks trimmed. If they get too long, they can not draw the wax all the way to the top of the wick, so the wick itself starts burning. Not good!

2. If you start seeing soot on your jars, you are not trimming your wick enough.

3. When paraffin is burned it emits 11 toxins and 2 carcinogens.

4. They invented an Innovative Fragrance Technology that makes PI fragrance so compatible with their wax - it actually absorbs better, allowing them to use 50% more fragrance than the national leading brand. This makes their candles so strong and so realistic - they'll knock your socks off!

One neighbor will receive win the Pure Integrity Soy Candles Holiday Fragrance Combo Set, which includes 3-10oz top selling holiday fragrances. (Vanilla Almond, Pumpkin Pie, and Sugared Spruce) Sound good to you? Let's go then. US only.

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Garden Trellises

2011-12-19T20:05:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors,

How are you all today? What a lovely day to visit with us. So warm here today! I know it is not time for it yet but we are trying to get organized what different vegetables (or fruit!) we want in our garden this coming spring. My little sister wants to have Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Green Peppers, Onions, Strawberries and more! She thinks it will all fit in the garden area she was given this past year. It is not that big! She had a small one last year and she had, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, and Strawberries. (Only a few of each.) Now I have been looking at trellises! You know a nice garden trellis for tomatoes and such? I have seen some very pretty ones and thought about getting one for our garden. There are so many different types and styles. Another one I like is this vinyl trellis. What do you think? Have you ever had a trellis in your garden? Do you know someone who does?

Brought to you by : www.trelliscenter.com.

The LG DoublePlay

2011-12-19T19:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LG DoublePlay™ for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hi Neighbors!

I want you to take a look with me at the LG DoublePlay™. This looks like a phone I could actually use! It has dual, customizable screens, a 3.5 inch and a 2.0 inch sub display. You can use them separately or in tandem. The LG DoublePlay also has a QWERTY keyboard and Swype for easy text input. These features allow you to multi-task, like updating Facebook, while texting, surfing the web or checking your email. You can use your LG DoublePlay to capture and share pictures and video, as the LG DoublePlay comes equipped with a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recorder. Super!

The LG DoublePlay is an Ultimate handset for social networking and multitasking. It is only available through T-Mobile. Now, personally I do not text much, but we do alot of social networking, mainly with an iPod, not my phone. This would definitely be a benefit for my family though as we presently have 6 people with individual blogs, 6 of us have Facebook accounts, and 3-4 of us use YouTube on a regular basis.

How many of my neighbors here At the Fence use their phones for social networking, texting, etc? Leave a comment and let me know. You could also tell me if an LG DoublePlay would make a difference in the way you text and interact with your Social Networks. Take care neighbors! See you At the Fence!

Glow Crazy Review

2011-12-19T16:17:00.000-06:00

Hello Neighbors!

What a lovely day today! It was only 30 degrees but if felt like 50! I have another product to share with ya'll. Glow Crazy! They sent me one of their Glow -to - Go Glow Crazy Set.

Here is a little bit about the Glow Crazy Glow to go ... "Portable binder filled with 4 amazing glow colors to draw on including: Blue, pink, orange and yellow! The attached lightwand and carrying handle keep you always prepared to Glow Crazy! The Glow To Go comes with Glow Crazy lightwand, Glow To Go binder, 4 stencils and a Fun Tip booklet."

This is a really neat product. My little sister loves it! Here are some pictures.

This is the Glow Crazy.

Here it is open. On the other side there is pink and green.

These are the stencils.

I also received a Bonus Pack.

It came with an extra wand!

Here we are using the stencil.

After we are done (with the stencil still there.

Or you can draw yourself. Without a stencil.

This is a great product. We had alot of fun with it. My little sister especially loves taking it to bed and using it for a couple of minutes before she goes to sleep. She practices her name and much more. It would make a great gift for someone. Make sure you check them out! You can also Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter to stay up with the latest news.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a Glow Crazy Glow to Go for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email or website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Redoing Your Bathroom

2011-12-19T13:51:00.000-06:00

Hi neighbors! I have a kind of odd question for you today. When was the last time you redid your bathroom? It has been a while for us and it will probably be a long while before it is done again. But I enjoy looking, even if it is something that may happen in the far future:)So whether it is a vessel sink, bathtub, etc, it is fun looking around.

One of the most important parts in the bathroom is a sink. One of my favorites are the vessel sinks. These look so nice and they are pretty cheap. There are so many different styles you can get one to go with almost any bathroom design. These look very upscale but I was surprised at the actual price when I went searching online.

There are many advantages to this style but one of my favorites is the separate vessel faucet. These are very different looking! If you haven't seen any of these, you should check them out. They are amazing and definitely what you want if you want something different. I had seen these when we went to our local hardware store but I never realized there were so many vessel sink faucets. Bamboo, classic, modern, etc. These are very neat:)

If you are on the lookout for a new sink, this is something I would suggest looking at.

This post brought to you from Bathroom Vessel Faucet and Blogsvertise. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Dub Garage Blazerz Review

2011-12-17T14:00:00.000-06:00

Gift Guide Post #

Hi Neighbors!

Here is another great gift idea for the boys in your family. It is the Dub Garage Blazerz! Have you seen them? Every boy that has been visiting my home the last two weeks thought it was great. I finally had to hide it! Give boys a car that runs across the floor and on top of that lights up and has sound and they are busy for hours! The car I received is black with a definite light show. Headlights, tail lights, underglow lights, hood scoop lights, and a light up vehicle interior that shows a city scape in the windows. The button on the top of the vehicle controls the light, sounds and motion. The vehicle is motorized and moves both forward and backwards. You will hear the engine rev and tires squeal. There are some vocal phrases thrown in too! I personally do not care for the music, but it does play music also. How many boys do you know that would like to get one of these for a gift? I can name a few! They visited my house the last couple of weeks!

Dub Garage Blazerz

Nice looking car!

The Dub Garage Blazerz are available at Toys R Us for $24.99. Is there someone on your list that would enjoy one of these cars?

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a Dub Blazerz for review purposes. All quotes are taken from the email or website. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Great Treats From Target!

2011-12-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Gift Guide Post #

Hey Neighbors!

Ready to be tempted? How about Archer Farms Egg Nog Light Roast Coffee (Warm and creamy with hints of nutmeg) ($6.99). My daughter said it had a sort of nutty flavor. They added whipped topping and sat down to enjoy! It was a snowy day outside, so of course that made it all the better.

And then add some Market Pantry Gingerbread Cookies with Cheesecake Filling ($1.99)! Yum! These didn't last long! Especially with our company here. My husband LOVED them!

And last but not least, we had a chance to try the Archer Farms Red Velvet Pancake Mix ($2.99). It came with a cream cheese icing. Everyone said they taste more like a dessert than breakfast! You should try them and let me know what you think. If the pictures don't tempt you, I don't know what will!

Icing.

Red Velvet Pancake Mix.

Cooking!

With Icing!

So Good!

Also I wanted to share a few facts from Target for the holiday season:

During the holiday season, Target customers….

· Make enough stuffing to fill the oval office four times

· Eat enough pounds of turkey to outweigh 37 Statue of Liberties

· Bake enough potatoes to pave the way from Chicago to Minneapolis

· Drink enough eggnog to fill half of an Olympic-sized swimming pool

· Bought more of one type of popular artificial tree on Black Friday than there are total trees in New York City’s Central Park

Have a great weekend neighbors!

HEXBUG Nano Review and Giveaway

2011-12-16T19:33:00.000-06:00

Gift Guide Post #

Hi Neighbors!

Here is a review and giveaway that will likely excite your son! A HEXBUG Nano! I actually received a HEXBUG Nano CollectorsCase, that will hold up to 18 HEXBUG Nanos and includes one extremely rare HEXBUG Nano mutation. I also received a Nano from the Newton Series, and one from the Galileo Series that glows in the dark. The case lid is set up where you can turn your Nanos loose to play. They run around, bump into each other, flip over and right themselves, just like real bugs! It is actually fun to watch!

The HEXBUGs are available at Wal-mart, online at their site, and at other retailers. They have several other types of Micro Robotic Creatures, like inchworms, crabs, ants, spiders, larva and scarabs. You can purchase starter sets, and habitats for your HEXBUGS to play in. Personally, I think a racetrack where you could race them against each other would be fun. No touching allowed of course, and see how long it took one of them to reach the end first. I know my children would enjoy that! Anyway, the HEXBUGS feel really funny to hold as they vibrate in your hand.

I do have a confession to make.....we put them on the floor with our cat. It was soooo funny! She wasn't sure what they were, and whether she should touch them or not. She finally did start pawing at them!

HEXBUGS are definitely a great gift idea! And there are alot of accessories that can be added! One Neighbor will receive one HEXBUG in this giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Penbo and Bebe Reivew

2011-12-16T16:41:00.004-06:00

Gift Guide Post #

Hey Neighbors!

I just have to introduce you to Penbo ($59.99) from iloveRobots! She is a really cute, pink penguin, that interacts with you and with her Bebe! She waddles, flaps her wings and coos! We had so much fun experimenting with her. Penbo has a hidden surprise inside her belly. She carries an egg, with a Bebe inside. The Bebe comes in green, pink, or blue. You'll heave to wait and see what color we received! I actually was introduced to Penbo at ChiTAG, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair. We also met the other Penbo friends, Skylee and Pembino, all of whom interact together. I will have a couple of videos on this one!

PENBO with Bebe.


Isn't Penbo cute!

She is BLUE!

Penbo plays 5 games, tag, hide and seek, peek-a-boo, and mimic me. She will also play and talk to her Bebe, rock the Bebe, and dance together. She really is quite cute. If you pet her on the head she will start purring, and if left alone, she will go to sleep. And if you pat on her head, she does the Cha-Cha! Hysterical! She even gets sad if you don't play with her. She has a little heart on her chest, that is infra-red, and allows her to interact with her Bebe(s). The funniest part is watching her move around. We were all giggling over this! Be sure you visit the website, and learn to speak Penguish.

Bebe has 3 sensitive areas, one on her head, and one in each wing, that will bring about a different sound and response from mommy. And there are also combinations of pushing the buttons that will also bring a response. They can also play games together. Peek-a-boo is funny!

We also received one extra Bebe ($9.99)! This one is purple, and my daughter has already claimed it! She loves purple! It came with it's own egg, and will also interact with Penbo!

Any little girl, or boy would love Penbo and friends. Looking for that last minute gift, not sure, check out Penbo and friends at iloveRobots. Be sure to watch the videos, and leave a comment if you can telling me which one you like best! Thanks neighbors!

UPrinting 250pc Customizable Stickers

2011-12-15T11:00:00.000-06:00

Hey Neighbors!

Here is another great offer from UPrinting! One neighbor will receive 250 Customizable Stickers from UPrinting. They will be printed on 2 x 3.5" 70lb Matte Label, front only. US Only. To enter you must be over 18, and if you have won a giveaway from UPrinting in the last 6 months, another winner will be chosen.

I have received several different items from UPrinting, and never been dissatisfied. I love my business cards, and poster that I received. Be sure to enter!

This giveaway will end Dec. 22 at 11:59 pm. To enter, you must "like" the UPrinting Sticker Printing Page by clicking the like button below for Facebook.

Then leave a comment here, letting me know that you did and tell me how you would use these stickers.

Also Tweet about how you will use the stickers, and include the UPrinting URL:http://www.uprinting.com/sticker-printing.html. Leave a comment here and let me know that you did this. Be sure to use the full URL when you Tweet, and Twitter will shorten it for you. You may tweet 2x daily.

Disclosure:This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive stickers for hosting.

Lil' Diner Review

2011-12-14T20:42:00.000-06:00

Grand Gift Guide At the Fence Post #

Hello Neighbors! What a dreary day. It rained all day yesterday! I have another great company to share with ya'll. This one is great for parents with young children. It is called the Lil' Diner!

Here is some information about how they came up with the idea ... "The Lil' Diner Plate Saver was invented by a father who was frustrated with the restaurant experience since becoming a parent. Once Jesse Jr. became old enough to eat at the table, dad realized that this meant choosing between: A) feeding Jr. off a clean restaurant plate that he would most likely throw to the ground; B) feeding Jr. off the dirty restaurant table after trying in vain to wipe it with a baby wipe; or C) relying on store bought solutions which all entailed regular washings with soap and water after every use. The father set about creating a fourth option; a tool that would allow a child to eat off of a regular smooth bottom sided plate or bowl from any restaurant without the worry of it falling to the floor and assurance of a sanitary dining experience for his little one!

They sent me one of their Plate Savers and one of their Dish Holders. They both work great! Here are some pictures of the Plate Saver...

This is the Plate Saver!

Clamped unto the table!

Here is the bowl connected to the suction cup.

H. trying to pull it off!

The Dish Holder does not work on our table because it is not smooth but the Plate Saver works great! And that leaves the Dish Holder for dining out.

Here is a short video of J trying out the Plate Saver.

This is a great product. I actually had a hard time taking the plate off after dinner! It would be a wonderful gift for new parents or parents of young children. Make sure you check them out! You can also Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter to stay up on their news.

Obol Giveaway

2011-12-14T19:07:00.002-06:00

Grand Gift At the Fence Post #

Hello Neighbors,

What a dreary day today. It rained all night last night and all day today. It just makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a snack. Maybe cereal? I have a product that will help make that easier! The Obol Cereal bowl! This is so neat! You know how you sit down to eat cereal and by the time you get to the last couple of bites they are so soggy you just throw them out? Or when you sit down to eat and get called away to do something? If so then you need an Obol! An Obol is a Cereal Bowl that has an area for cereal and another area for milk. So all you do is Scoop and Swoop!

Here is a little bit about how the Obol got started : "I eat cereal, a lot of cereal. I eat it while working at the computer, while watching television or even in bed. Most of the time, the cereal would get soggy so fast that I had to pour it out, wasting money. One day eating breakfast I was interrupted by an urgent email. When I returned to my cereal after a few minutes, it was a soggy mess. That's when I had my "aha" moment...what if?
     Most cereal bowls are not designed to be held. They are slippery, awkward and not designed for the hand. There is no grip area. There is a reason for this...the perfect bowl is not easy to design or manufacture. Size, volume and molding constraints are very challenging. The Obol is the result of two years of design work and CAD engineering to produce a perfect bowl that finally ends soggy cereal. It is the perfect size, easy to hold, easy to clean and will not break. It is so easy, all you do is Swoop n Scoop®.
     I also discovered many other uses for the Obol. Try it with crispy crackers and soup or my favorite, cookies with milk. I hear new uses every week. If you discover a new use for the Obol, send me a photo or email. I am always happy to see all the new and creative uses people find.
     The Obol is designed and manufactured in the United States, where rent and labor are more expensive. I believe it is important to help keep jobs here where we live with our family and friends.
     I believe you will find the Obol one of the most practical products in your kitchen. It will bring you wonderful crispy bites for years. "

This is a great product! I have done a review of one before and I love mine. The only problem? Everybody in my family (8) wants to use it!

It would make a great gift for someone. Is there someone that loves cereal on your list? Or someone that loves dipping cookies in their milk? Check out the Obol! You can Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter to keep up with their latest news.

You can purchase the Obol on their website or at Brookstone, where two out of three colors were sold out within two weeks of the Brookstone launch!

Obol is going to send 10 (yes, I said ten!) of my readers each one of their new Cranberry Red Obol Cereal bowls! Wow! What a great giveaway!

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Get Some Impact For Your Business With Impact Signs!

2011-12-14T18:42:00.000-06:00

Hey neighbors, I found a website that I thought I'd share with you all. If you have a business and you're looking for a company sign, you might want to check out Impact Signs. Whatever your business sign need, they appear to have some nice quality signs. A sign says so much about a business and the type of service they offer! At Impact Signs, you can upload your photo or design, and get a new business sign hassle-free! This would also be perfect for a Church sign. Our Church just recently put up a new sign, and it just makes the Church yard look so much better.

You can even get a quote with their online form, to learn more about how much your sign would cost, the date it would be ready, and installation quotes as well. Installation is optional, and if you're able to put your new sign up yourself, you could save some money that way. Or, if you just need some brass lettering instead of a full sign, you can get that too.

Impact Signs also offers memorial plaques. You know, the kind you see at all the State and National Historic Sites? These look just like the commemorative plaques we see at all the Civil War sites we visit! If your local school or university needs a new memorial plaque, why not mention Impact Signs to them?

Brought to you in conjunction with Blogsvertise and Impact Signs.