Nicole Seitz's Beyond Molasses Creek

Nicole Seitz's Beyond Molasses Creek

has just been released!

To CELEBRATE Nicole’s hosting a fabulous "Friendship" Facebook Party and giving away several fantastic prizes – a KINDLE, some of her own beautiful artwork, a book club prize pack, and more!

Discover Nicole's unforgettable coming-of-age story about love, loss and purpose. Blog Tour details

Click for details and RSVP for the party! 

Pls Tweet: "Win a Kindle from @nicoleseitz at Beyond Molasses Creek Facebook Party 2/16! Click for details and RSVP! http://ow.ly/8NjSE @litfuse"


Pls Share on FB: "Nicole Seitz's Beyond Molasses Creek has just released! To CELEBRATE Nicole’s hosting a fabulous "Friendship" Facebook Party and giving away several fantastic prizes – a KINDLE, some of her own beautiful artwork, a book club prize pack, and more! Click for details and don’t miss the fun. Discover Nicole's unforgettable coming-of-age story about love, loss and purpose. http://litfusegroup."com/blogtours/text/13454766"

Tropicana - Trop50 Juice

I love Orange Juice - for breakfast, dunking graham crackers, with cinnamon rolls, popcorn or as a snack. I recently tried the Raspberry Lemonade which is my favorite. It's not overly sweet which is great for me - I find regular Orange Juice can almost be too sweet for me and sometimes it just makes me thirstier. I'll definitely be keeping this juice on my grocery list in the future.

Tropicana has created a new drink designed to help you lose weight and control your sugar intake at the same time. Trop50 Beverage is naturally flavored Stevia and  comes in 12 great flavors including:

Raspberry Lemonade,

Red Orange, 

Farmstand Apple, 

Pomegranite Blueberry, 

Pineapple Mango 
Orange w/ Pulp, No Pulp and Calcium!

and 3 great teas too!

50 percent less sugar and calories, 

and no artificial sweeteners.


Be sure to enter the giveaway for a $1000 gift card on Tropicana's FB page. 
It ends 1/31 - so today is a Flash giveaway of sorts - only it's on FB!

Share on YOUR FB page: 
Reveal the truth behind your New Year's resolution and receive a $1 off Trop50 coupon for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for 50 of your friends. You can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 1/31/12. See Official Rules for details.). http://tiny.cc/d6eba

Tweet:
Reveal the truth behind Ur New Year's resolution; grab a $1 off #Trop50 for yourself & 50¢ off coupons for 50 friends. http://tiny.cc/d6eba


I was given a coupon to try the NEW Trop50 drink of my choice. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands.

For the Love of Joe ~ Review & Giveaway

GivingNSharing has joined up with a great group of family friendly bloggers to bring you this great giveaway for a Keurig Mini PLUS 18 cappuccino K-cups.

All you have to do is like a few Facebook pages and G+ pages. Yep, that's it, then you're entered to win! There will be 1 winner chosen for this giveaway. 

Don't have a G+ account? That's okay too, simply like all of the Facebook pages and click that you did it and you will get 25 entries into the contest for that task; just leave the G+ alone :) If you have G+, go get in those circles, this will mean 25 extra entries for you! Good luck and HAVE FUN ♥




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Taxes & Savings.... (Review & Giveaway)

I took a vacation day from work to get my taxes done. Usually I do my own taxes but since I had 2 W2's and a 1099 from Federal Unemployment I didn't want to do them myself and I wanted to get back the maximum amount that I could. So after I took my phone in to Walmart to be looked at I decided to stop by Jackson Hewitt and check out prices and how long it would take to get them figured up.

Jackson Hewitt is a FULL service - year round Tax Preparation Company. 

It's been so long since I've had anyone prepare them for me I didn't realize I would need my social security card but other than that I had everything else with me. Elissa took about 1/2 hour to figure out my taxes and even stayed about 10 minutes past her shift ending to finish up and walk me through all the pages I needed to sign. 


What to Take With You: 
Save time and money by going to your tax interview prepared with all the documents you need.

• Bring your W2's, bank statement showing any interest you've accrued this year (this usually comes in January from your bank).
• Bring any investment and retirement year end statements you might have showing interest, growth, etc.
• Unemployment Documents (1099 - will be sent by your states Dept of Labor)
• Self-employment business income and expenses/1099-MISC.
• Alimony & Child Support income (this includes foster care kids).
• Medical & Dental Care expenses (you have to spend a lot to receive this benefit).
• Job related education & job search records.
• Record of sale or purchase of a residence.
• Statement on the sale of stocks or bonds (1088-B)
• Interest and dividend income /1099-INT/1099-DIV
• Lottery or Gambling Winnings/Losses
• Last year's Federal and State tax return  & State Refund Amount
• Child care expenses and provider information
• Educator expenses
• Cash and non-cash charitable donations
• Casualty or theft losses
• Real estate and personal property taxes
• Driver's licenses, Social Security cards & Birthdate's of all members of the family (you & your spouse and all dependents
• Dependents' Social Security numbers and dates of birth

Pricing:

• For those of you that are new and don't have any deductions you can have the 1040EZ form w/ up to 2 W2's. 
• If you have more than 2 W2's and an unemployment (1099) form you can still use the 1040EZ form but there is a $58 charge for that. 
• If your taxes are more detailed, you have deductions, children or are filing jointly you won't be able to use the 1040EZ and the charge is a little higher (I didn't need this so I didn't see the price).

Savings & Giveaway!

Elissa gave me a bunch of coupons for $15 off to use for a giveaway on GivingNSharing. If you'd like to WIN one of the 10 coupons I get to give away be sure to enter. I'd love it if you told your friends too - If you end up using your coupon - you will get $15 off and I will get $15 for referring you to Jackson Hewitt. That will pay off my tax expense this year and help me get that Kindle Fire I want. =D

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Chasing Mona Lisa ~ Book Review

Chasing Mona Lisa
by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2046-9
336 pages, $10.98 on Amazon


About the Book:
It is August 1944 and Paris is on the cusp of liberation. As the soldiers of the Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country, stealing countless pieces of art. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one of all, the Mona Lisa, as a post-war bargaining chip to get him to South America. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler rescue DaVinci's masterpiece before it falls into German hands?

With nonstop action, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get readers' adrenaline pumping as they join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh country chateau, the race is on--and the runners are playing for keeps.


My Thoughts:
Chasing Mona Lisa intrigued me on a couple fronts - one it's based in the 1940's during WWII and during the end of Hitler's reign and terror campaign toward the Jews. And two it's history and I've always loved history.


Chasing Mona Lisa takes place during the last month or two of Hitler's occupation of France. You have 3 groups of people fighting for the freedom of France - Charles De Gaulle who has left the country and is allowing the resistance groups to do the fighting for him and then steps in to take credit when the German's are ousted. Then you have the French Communist Party who think a communist government is the way to go & one member who takes matters in his own hands to return the Mona Lisa (after the Germans Heller & Gorman try to steal it) back to the city thus taking credit for the communist party and trying to discredit De Gaulle. Then you have Eric & Gabi - two Swiss people undercover as Red Cross workers trying to get into the city (I never did really figure out what they were doing). Combine them all together and it is certainly fast paced.


I found this book rather confusing obviously. I loved the idea behind the book - but had some trouble following along with it. The Swiss Courier (Gabi's story) is the prequel to this book and if I had read that one first that might have tied some of the pieces together for me. The authors have done their homework, know their history and the city of Paris - but the writing is hard to follow and I was a little (just a little) bored with it.


Please don't let my review hold you back from reading this book. I would suggest you maybe check it out from the library and see if you like it or sit down and read the first chapter before you purchase it. It may intrigue you enough and perhaps you'll really enjoy it.


About the Authors:
Tricia Goyer is the coauthor of The Swiss Courier as well as the author of many other books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Arkansas. For more about Tricia and her other books visitwww.triciagoyer.com 

Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including The Swiss Courier and the bestselling Every Man's Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California. For more about Mike  and his other books visit www.mikeyorkey.com 

Win an iTouch SPY Pack in the Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway 

from @triciagoyer @mikeyorkey!

Chasing Mona Lisa is the continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in The Swiss Courier). This time the due are on a relentless quest to save the most famous painting in the world  - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

One passionate protector will receive:

• iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)
• Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)
• Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)
• Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)
• Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on January 31st. The winner will be announced at the Chasing Mona Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away their books and a Book Club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike.)


So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (do you know how to pick a lock?) and lots of giveaways. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!Win an iTouch SPY Prize Pack!

Unhallowed Ground by Mel R Starr

Unhallowed Ground 
The Fourth Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon
by Mel R Starr
ISBN: 978-0857210586

240 pages, Mystery, 

Available: $8.88 Paperback, $8.44 Kindle

About the Book:

Thomas atte Bridge, a man no one likes, is found hanging from a tree near Cowleys Corner. All assume he has taken his own life, but Master Hugh and Kate find evidence that this may not be so.

Many of the town had been harmed by Thomas, and Hugh is not eager to send one of them to the gallows. Then he discovers that the priest John Kellet, atte Bridge’s partner in crime in A Corpse at St. Andrew's Chapel was covertly in Bampton at the time atte Bridge died.

Master Hugh is convinced that Kellet has murdered atte Bridge--one rogue slaughtering another. He sets out for Exeter, where atte Bridge now works. But there he discovers that the priest is an emaciated skeleton of a man, who mourns the folly of his past life. Hugh must return to Bampton and discover which of his friends has murdered his enemy.

My Thoughts:

I found this book rather hard to read. What I did like about the book was the depth of the history, the research and the author's understanding of the period written about in the book. I also really liked the characters of Hugh & Kate who are both very strong, suited to each other and even though they (especially Hugh) have to make tough decisions when it comes to people they know - they do it. 

Unhallowed Ground refers to the church's stance that someone who either has committed suicide or is an executed criminal being refused burial in the church graveyard. The book opens with the scene of atte Bridge hanging from a noose outside the burial area for said suicide victims and criminals. The only sign that something may have happened was a little mud on the back of his shoes and a very short trail that looks like someone may have been drug. Everyone hated atte Bridge and so no one seems to inclined to consider that foul play may have ocurred - even our hero Hugh has a hard time making the decision to do what's right.

I'm not really going to say much else about the book. I personally had some trouble reading this book. Unfortunately it wasn't for me. It's very well written, thoroughly researched and if you like regency or period pieces along with a good mystery you'll more than likely like it. I suggest reading this excerpt before you purchase it and then decide - 

The Excerpt

About the Author: 

Mel Starr was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  After graduating with a MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970, he taught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years, thirty-five of those in Portage, MI, where he retired in 2003 as chairman of the social studies department of Portage Northern High School. Mel and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and seven grandchildren.

I am participating in a book tour set up by Kregel Publications. I was given a copy of Unhallowed Ground to read and review. No $ exchanged hands and I wasn't asked to write a positive review. 

WIN a Valentine's Date Night - Flowers, Dinner & a Movie!

Jan 24 - Feb 4th

GivingNSharing has partnered with Mom Blog Society, Mom Does Reviews, and several other blogs to offer our readers a chance to win a special Valentine’s date night. One lucky reader will win:

• Dinner at Applebees
• The Notebook Movie
• Flower Delivery

Enter below. Good Luck!

My Other Giveaways you might be interested in:

1. Ends 1/23: WIN a Blender Bottle, insulating sling & cookbook, US only (Enter Here)
2. Ends 1/26: WIN a Toshiba Portege Laptop, US only  (Enter Here)
3. Ends 1/29: WIN 1 of 3 Carmen Agra Deedy Children's Books (2 for 4-8 yr olds & 1 for Middle Grade)  (Enter Here)
4. Ends 1/31: WIN a Lifetime Membership to The Printable Planner for Moms, US only  (Enter Here)

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Organizing for Moms

Have you found the perfect calendar yet? I usually wait until now to find a calendar mostly because I refuse to pay $15 to $20 (or more for my daytimer) for a calendar. I've found just the tool. I can print out what I need, when I need it and don't end up having scads of extra papers, sections and categories I'll never use. (Anyone need a mileage planner?)

The Printable Planner for Moms is unique because 

you only print the forms that benefit YOU!

With The Printable Planner for Moms yearly membership you receive:
* Weekly Planner Pages
* Monthly Calendar Planning Pages
* Address Book
* Dr Appointment Planner
* Bible Study Planner
* At a Glance Special Dates by Month
* Christmas Card List
* Password List 
* Menu Planner with Grocery Lists 
* and more added as the year goes on.....

Is there something on the list you don't see (full list here)? As a member you can request a list or form for what you need!

As a member of The Printable Planner for Moms you will receive all of this for just $4.99 per year!

Download what you want, when you want, and more for just one low membership price per year.
You may cancel at anytime!

One of YOU may receive a Lifetime Membership to The Printable Planner for Moms! Cool Huh?

Don't want to enter? Pls Tweet:
#WIN a 2012 membership to The Printable Planner for #Moms, 1/31, US @hbixler03 Pls RT @familyliteracy #organization

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Hasbro's Annual Fun and Game Event going on now!

Are you looking for great savings and amazing daily deals on some of your favorite Hasbro toys and games, then check out Hasbro's Annual Fun and Game Event going on now! You (U.S. only) can register today at www.hasbro.com/fun to print over $125 in coupons (quantities are limited) and get access to incredible daily deals. All daily deals include free shipping!

Kids, ages 6 - 13, can also get in on the action by playing games for a chance to win hourly prizes from their favorite brands, such as My Little Pony, FurReal Friends, Littlest Pet Shop, Beyblade, Nerf, Transformers, Connect 4, Bop It! and Simon Flash.

The Blender Bottle & the 101 Quick & Easy Recipes

I recently received the Blender Bottle and a copy of the 101 Quick & Easy Blender Bottle Recipes cookbook to review here on GivingNSharing and have had some very tasty dinners to enjoy. The Blender Bottle is the #1 best-selling portable mixer - great for making up salad dressings, shakes, BBQ sauce, omelets, pancake mixes and more!

Usually when you think of a blender bottle you think of protein shakes or even fruit shakes for the kids. The Blender Bottle is perfect for that! Just grab your bottle when you leave for the office or to run out on errands. Put your mixings in a baggie in your purse or briefcase or even in the bottle itself and you can have a shake where ever you are or when ever you need a pick-me-up. 

I like to add a cup of yogurt and fruit juice to mine - you can also use the above image (from the Blender Bottle's website) for other ideas of things to add in. Have you tried the ground oatmeal? That would be a great way to add some fiber to your shake!

Here's how the  Blender Bottle  works: 
Take the bottle, throw in the patented BlenderBall wire whisk and then add your ingredients. The Blenderball mixes it all up - no gritty powdery balls to chase with a fork - it whips the ingredients into a smooth delicious drink every time. And yes! it even gets the powder that usually gets stuck at the bottom & won't mix in no matter what you do!

I also received a copy of their cookbook: 101 Quick and Easy BlenderBottle Recipes. There are recipes for Tangy Meatball Bites, Macadamia Nut French Toast, Asian Salmon, Michael's Spinach Quiche, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, and so much more! I made up the pancake mix and also the BBQ Beef Sauce (loved the sauce!). I used the BBQ Beef Sauce on chicken and it was a BIG hit!

Barbecue Beef

Tasty, tangy, with just the right amount of smokey flavor. Makes great BBQ sandwiches as well! Note: (I didn't use the smoke flavoring)

Ingredients
1 ½ c ketchup
¼ c packed brown sugar
¼ c red wine vinegar
2 T prepared Dijon-style mustard
3 T Worcestershire sauce
1 t liquid smoke flavoring
½ t salt
¼ t ground black pepper
¼ t garlic powder
1 (2.5-4 lb) boneless chuck roast

Instructions
In the order listed, place ingredients (except roast) into BlenderBottle and mix until smooth. Place roast in a slow cooker and pour barbeque sauce over it. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Remove roast from slow cooker, shred with a fork (remove any fat), and return to slow cooker. Stir meat to evenly coat with sauce. Continue cooking approximately 1 hour. Serve over rice, potatoes, or in sandwich buns.

Nutritional Information
(per serving: 636 cal., 40.8 g total fat (16 g sat. fat), 168 mg chol., 868 mg sodium, 17.3 g carbo., 15.9 g sugars, 47.6 g protein) (This recipe came from the website)

Buy It:

You can purchase the Blender Bottle in 2 sizes - a 20 oz mini ($8.49) and a 28 oz Classic ($8.99) bottle. There is also a Sport Mixer ($14.99) which I think would be great for those out on a bike ride or a long walk. All include the patented stainless-steel whisk ball. The cookbook is available for $12.99 and there also are smart, trendy and stylish insulated slings ($7.99) that make carrying them fun and an added plus is that they don't sweat and keep your drinks nice & cold.

Win It:

Blender Bottle is offering a set of the Classic Blender Bottle and a copy of the Cookbook to one lucky GivingNSharing reader! Is it going to be you?

Rafflecopter Giveaways  

Not sure how to enter using this giveaway gadget? Read this article for the details. I'd hate to have to draw another winner because you didn't enter correctly. Thanks!

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Weekend Blog Hop/Giveaway Linky - (Sat-Sun)

Do you need more followers on your Blogs, G+, Twitter or Facebook pages? Want to meet new friends and learn new things? Do you love anything crafty, eco-friendly, wordy, decor'ish, cooking.... Link up your blogs on this linky and then Do The HOP to find new friends!

Would you please add my button above to your sidebar or to the post you are promoting? Just right click and add it using your mouse. Get the link at the top of this page. This linky will be up all week long - would love some help sharing it with the world. Thanks!

Link Up Your Giveaways Here:
Just a couple of rules:
1) Link up to the giveaway post (not your blog).
2) Add the ending date!
3) Who can enter? Use these codes: US, CA (canada) & WW (worldwide)

NOTE: I allow 100 characters - PLEASE add the date & who can enter! I don't have time to research this for you so if it happens I may be forced to start deleting them. Thanks for understanding!


Ending Tomorrow: 
(Note if these are RC giveaways they may end at Midnight tonight!)

      

Cooking with Whole Foods ~ Review

Cooking with Whole Foods DVD's
by Chef Rachel
$21.95 for a 2 DVD set

Whole Foods Cuisine with Chef Rachel features:
• Four complete menus
• 19 recipes
• Eight cooking techniques
• Two gluten-free grain dishes
• Sweet desserts without refined sugar
• A delicious caffeine-free coffee alternative
• Downloadable recipe booklet. . . . and more

Rachel makes cooking with unrefined whole foods easy and fun. Her simple step-by-step recipes will quickly have you on your way to making the most delicious meals you have ever tasted! Whether you’re a novice or an experienced cook, this two-DVD set will show you how to improve the quality of the foods you purchase, prepare and eat. You will also learn how to present them beautifully to your family and friends.

My Thoughts:
The Cooking With Whole Foods DVD set is a great tool for anyone interested in nutrition, learning to cook and healthy foods. It's ideal for newlyweds, kids that are interested in cooking, husband and wife teams that like to cook together and singles that want to improve their diet through healthy cooking.

Chef Rachel creates several different dishes in 4 segments that you can do one at a time. The recipes are easy too and you will learn techniques that perhaps you wouldn't use normally or teach yourself but will find helpful with cooking in the future.

DVD 1 includes the following recipes:
Menu 1:  Blanched Vegetables,  Spicy Peanut Sauce, Cashew Dill Dip, Honey Mustard Chicken, Fennel Crisps, Fruit Gel
Menu 2: Herbed Meatballs, Better BBQ Sauce, Coleslaw, Poached Pears

DVD 2:
Menu 3: Broccoli Avocado Soup, Tuscan Chicken, Sweet Potato Fries, Date Nut Truffles
Menu 4: Smoky Simmered Salmon, Quinoa Tabouli, Whole Boiled Greens, Sauteed Greens, Brewing Teeccino

You can see that some of the ingredients are a little unusual - but most of them are things you will have around the house. Some of the recipes and techniques you'll use over and over such as Honey Mustard Chicken (this would be a great recipe to use for homemade chicken nuggets for kids), Herbed Meatballs, Sweet Potato Fries and the Salmon would be a great dish for company or a special dish just for you and your spouse or your best friend's birthday.