Thursday, December 30, 2010
WINNER: Pillsbury Toaster Strudel: "Million Morning Smiles" prize pack
Congratulations to comment #13 Geoffrey!!!! You are the winner of the Pillsbury Toaster Strudel: "Million Morning Smiles" prize pack!!! Prize pack is provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.
An e-mail has been sent - Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be picked! Thanks!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A December to Remember!
I can't believe December is almost over...and Christmas is two days away!!! Since I'm REALLY behind on posting pictures I thought I would post a couple from each event in December. Our biggest news is that Eric graduated & got a job, so we are moving to Georgia! But don't worry...I will ALWAYS be a Gator fan! lol.
*Annual Pond Lighting at the North Florida Regional Medical Center, Gainesville
This is a fun event for anyone to go see during the Christmas season. They have a count down to light up the whole area surrounding the pond! It was really pretty. They also had free hot chocolate and cookies, Santa and Mrs. Clause, The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and live entertainment (mostly singing).
*SeaWorld with Kristina, Jenna, and Owen
I was so glad to FINALLY get to hang out with my old roomies (and Owen) again! I have always loved SeaWorld! The Clyde and Seamore show with the sea lions is my favorite! The sea lions have such great personality's! The (fairly) new roller coaster, Manta, is a lot of fun. You are sitting upright, but right before you take off they turn the seats, so you are in a position as if you were flying like Superman. The only downside was that the Shamu show just isn't the same since the trainers no longer get in the water with the killer whales. :(
They decorate SeaWorld nice for the holiday. They have Christmas trees all in the water, decorations, and lots of lights. I even received a little glass dolphin ornament for being a season passholder. Also, I think the Christmas ice skating show is new...and was fun to watch! I love seeing all the costume changes...and of course the ice skating itself!
---SEAWORLD HINT--- Jenna & Owen found out that if you are a Florida Resident, instead of buying a single day ticket you can get a "Fun Card" for the same price...which allows you to come back to SeaWorld as many times as you want until the end of 2011!!! We got ours upgraded at the counter since we originally bought single day tickets.
*Epcot and Hollywood Studios with the Fam
For lunch we ate at Restaurant Marraskesh, which had Moroccan food (think couscous, cinnamon, thin pastries, lamb, and kebabs). They have live music and a belly dancer perform on a stage in the middle of the restaurant. Afterwards, we got to see Whoopi Goldberg tell the Christmas story at the Candlelight Processional. The story of Jesus' birth is told in between Christmas songs from a choir and orchestra.
--EPCOT CHRISTMAS PROCESSIONAL HINT-- We got the dinner package where you eat a meal at one of the restaurants in Epcot and then get guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional show. I would highly advise you doing this package if you want to see the show, because it fills up QUICK. The whole seating area seemed to almost be completely filled by the time the special guests and dinner package peeps got in.
After Epcot, we headed over to HollyWood Studios to see the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The whole street is filled with lights that dance to the music. Sadly, these were the last pictures taken by my precious Canon camera. :( I think there was some kind of electrical charge in the area that just killed it because my mom and I took a picture at the same time, my camera turned off (forever) and her screen went all wacky and had lines on it. So...I'm under the impression that Disney killed my camera.
*Eric's Graduation
*Annual Pond Lighting at the North Florida Regional Medical Center, Gainesville
This is a fun event for anyone to go see during the Christmas season. They have a count down to light up the whole area surrounding the pond! It was really pretty. They also had free hot chocolate and cookies, Santa and Mrs. Clause, The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and live entertainment (mostly singing).
*SeaWorld with Kristina, Jenna, and Owen
I was so glad to FINALLY get to hang out with my old roomies (and Owen) again! I have always loved SeaWorld! The Clyde and Seamore show with the sea lions is my favorite! The sea lions have such great personality's! The (fairly) new roller coaster, Manta, is a lot of fun. You are sitting upright, but right before you take off they turn the seats, so you are in a position as if you were flying like Superman. The only downside was that the Shamu show just isn't the same since the trainers no longer get in the water with the killer whales. :(
They decorate SeaWorld nice for the holiday. They have Christmas trees all in the water, decorations, and lots of lights. I even received a little glass dolphin ornament for being a season passholder. Also, I think the Christmas ice skating show is new...and was fun to watch! I love seeing all the costume changes...and of course the ice skating itself!
---SEAWORLD HINT--- Jenna & Owen found out that if you are a Florida Resident, instead of buying a single day ticket you can get a "Fun Card" for the same price...which allows you to come back to SeaWorld as many times as you want until the end of 2011!!! We got ours upgraded at the counter since we originally bought single day tickets.
*Alpha-1 Christmas Party
Great food and company at our annual Christmas party!
*Epcot and Hollywood Studios with the Fam
For lunch we ate at Restaurant Marraskesh, which had Moroccan food (think couscous, cinnamon, thin pastries, lamb, and kebabs). They have live music and a belly dancer perform on a stage in the middle of the restaurant. Afterwards, we got to see Whoopi Goldberg tell the Christmas story at the Candlelight Processional. The story of Jesus' birth is told in between Christmas songs from a choir and orchestra.
--EPCOT CHRISTMAS PROCESSIONAL HINT-- We got the dinner package where you eat a meal at one of the restaurants in Epcot and then get guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional show. I would highly advise you doing this package if you want to see the show, because it fills up QUICK. The whole seating area seemed to almost be completely filled by the time the special guests and dinner package peeps got in.
After Epcot, we headed over to HollyWood Studios to see the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The whole street is filled with lights that dance to the music. Sadly, these were the last pictures taken by my precious Canon camera. :( I think there was some kind of electrical charge in the area that just killed it because my mom and I took a picture at the same time, my camera turned off (forever) and her screen went all wacky and had lines on it. So...I'm under the impression that Disney killed my camera.
*Paula Deen's Restaurant, The Lady & Sons- Savannah, GA
If I had a bucket list...eating at Paula Deen's restaurant would be on it! I guess admiring her butter loving recipes from afar has deeply intrigued me to want to try some of them first hand. I finally got my chance this month! I had seen mixed reviews on the restaurant, so I wasn't expecting too much....but we were pleasantly surprised! Eric and I both got the buffet and it was SO delicious! EVERYTHING was good! Great hoe cakes and cheese biscuits, creamed corn, sweet tea (was SO good!), yams, fried chicken, collared greens, mashed potatoes....I mean I could go on and on.
I would definitely say it is worth the wait...which by the way--you have to do in the morning! The restaurant does not take reservations unless you have a party of 10 or more (except on special holidays like Valentine's Day). To get a seat for the day you have to go by the hostess station the morning you want to go and get a time slot to eat. I hear that during the tourist season the line can start a couple of hours before the hostess even starts taking names. I think the hostess starts taking names at 9:30am. I was there at 9:15am and was the first in line. Shortly after, people started lining up behind me. I think the line was so short because it was freezing outside! Lucky us! lol.
Congrats to my wonderful husband for getting an Engineering degree from the University of Florida!
*Ugly Christmas Sweater/ Cookie Party at Work
What do you think about our Christmas sweaters? Ugly or not? And which one wins...the black or pink one?? :)
Sorry that this is like a MEGA post. Have a very Merry Christmas and fabulous New Year!!
<3 Christa
Thursday, December 16, 2010
WINNER: Eat, Pray, Love
Congratulations to comment #8 GMR!!!! You are the winner of the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert! An e-mail has been sent - Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be picked! Thanks!
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel: "Million Morning Smiles" prize pack GIVEAWAY!
Prize pack is provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark and includes: A free box of Pillsbury Pastry Strudels of your choice, a Pillsbury® Doughboy® Giggle Doll, along with a smiley face-themed mug, placemat and stress ball.
I decided to try the Cinnamon Roll with Brown Sugar Toaster Strudel. It was DELICIOUS and so easy to make! Each toaster strudel comes with it's own little icing packet that has a little spout, making it easy to make whatever design you choose.
This is how my husband likes his icing. He calls it "full coverage".
I made a smiley face with my icing. I think it would be really fun for kids.
You just pop them in the toaster and put your icing on. They are warm and the pastry part is flaky and yummy. Needless to say our box didn't last long!
Want a chance to win a month's worth of toaster strudels?!
Pillsbury is also giving you the chance to win Toaster Strudel pastries for a month through the "A Million Morning Smiles" sweepstakes. With over 2,000 winners per week, simply visit http://strudelsmiles.
Now on to the giveaway!---
-Please separate each entry with a new comment and leave an e-mail address in case you WIN!!! If it says +2 entries then write two comments for that entry.
Mandatory Entry (+1 entry) (You must answer this question for all of your other entries to count!) -What tips do you have for making weekday mornings easier for you and your family??
Bonus Entries
- Visit the Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Site and comment on which flavor you would like to try. (+1 entry)
- Follow @Pillsbury on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can use this tweet - #WIN a Pillsbury "Million Morning Smiles" prize pack! http://tinyurl.com/2baedqf @christauf4 @pillsbury #myblogspark (+1 entry per day)
- Follow me via Google Friend Connect. (+2 entries)
Giveaway will end December 30, 2010 at midnight. Winner will be selected using random.org and will be notified via e-mail. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be picked.
Thanks and good luck! :)
Disclamer: I received a "Million Morning Smiles" prize pack to review and one to give away from Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own!
Want a chance to win a month's worth of toaster strudels?!
Pillsbury is also giving you the chance to win Toaster Strudel pastries for a month through the "A Million Morning Smiles" sweepstakes. With over 2,000 winners per week, simply visit http://strudelsmiles.
Now on to the giveaway!---
-Please separate each entry with a new comment and leave an e-mail address in case you WIN!!! If it says +2 entries then write two comments for that entry.
Mandatory Entry (+1 entry) (You must answer this question for all of your other entries to count!) -What tips do you have for making weekday mornings easier for you and your family??
Bonus Entries
- Visit the Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Site and comment on which flavor you would like to try. (+1 entry)
- Follow @Pillsbury on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can use this tweet - #WIN a Pillsbury "Million Morning Smiles" prize pack! http://tinyurl.com/2baedqf @christauf4 @pillsbury #myblogspark (+1 entry per day)
- Follow me via Google Friend Connect. (+2 entries)
Giveaway will end December 30, 2010 at midnight. Winner will be selected using random.org and will be notified via e-mail. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be picked.
Thanks and good luck! :)
Disclamer: I received a "Million Morning Smiles" prize pack to review and one to give away from Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Review and Giveaway: Eat, Pray, Love
Review:
I still haven't seen the movie (which I plan on doing soon...I always like to read the book before I see the movie), but I finally finished Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book is a compilation of stories from her travels around Italy, India, and Indonesia after an awful divorce. It's her personal search for happiness; learning more about her self with each experience she encounters in these very different places. My favorite parts of the book were probably her experiences in Italy- eating, enjoying friends, and eating some more! lol. In India she practiced meditation at an Ashram and in Indonesian she hung out with a medicine man and met some unforgettable people.
I wasn't the fastest at reading this book (and sadly will most likely not reach my 20 book goal for the year), but I really enjoyed her down to earth writing style. Elizabeth Gilbert really puts herself out there, and I think this honesty makes her relatable and interesting. She also just has a way with words. She can describe a person, place, or situation in a way that I would never think of, but it fits so well. I definitely think it is a book worth checking out.
Giveaway:
I figured I would give away my slightly used version of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, so someone else can enjoy it! :)
-U.S. Residents Only
-No P.O. Boxes
-Please separate each entry with a new comment and leave an e-mail address in case you WIN!!! If it says +2 entries then write two comments for that entry.
Mandatory Entry (+1 entry) (You must answer this question for all of your other entries to count!) - What makes you want to read Eat, Pray, Love? (That's it--and you have 1 entry!)
Bonus Entries
- Have you read any of Elizabeth Gilbert's other books or seen the Eat, Pray, Love movie? (+1 entry)
- Visit Elizabeth Gilbert's Website and tell me about something interesting you found. (+1 entry)
- Add @christauf4 on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can use this tweet - #WIN the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert! http://tinyurl.com/2a54976 @christauf4 #GIVEAWAY (+1 entry per day)
- Follow me via Google Friend Connect. (+2 entries)
Giveaway will end December 15, 2010 at midnight. Winner will be selected using random.org and will be notified via e-mail. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be picked.
Thanks and good luck! :)
Disclamer: I received this book as a gift from my mom. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own!
I still haven't seen the movie (which I plan on doing soon...I always like to read the book before I see the movie), but I finally finished Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book is a compilation of stories from her travels around Italy, India, and Indonesia after an awful divorce. It's her personal search for happiness; learning more about her self with each experience she encounters in these very different places. My favorite parts of the book were probably her experiences in Italy- eating, enjoying friends, and eating some more! lol. In India she practiced meditation at an Ashram and in Indonesian she hung out with a medicine man and met some unforgettable people.
I wasn't the fastest at reading this book (and sadly will most likely not reach my 20 book goal for the year), but I really enjoyed her down to earth writing style. Elizabeth Gilbert really puts herself out there, and I think this honesty makes her relatable and interesting. She also just has a way with words. She can describe a person, place, or situation in a way that I would never think of, but it fits so well. I definitely think it is a book worth checking out.
Giveaway:
I figured I would give away my slightly used version of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, so someone else can enjoy it! :)
-U.S. Residents Only
-No P.O. Boxes
-Please separate each entry with a new comment and leave an e-mail address in case you WIN!!! If it says +2 entries then write two comments for that entry.
Mandatory Entry (+1 entry) (You must answer this question for all of your other entries to count!) - What makes you want to read Eat, Pray, Love? (That's it--and you have 1 entry!)
Bonus Entries
- Have you read any of Elizabeth Gilbert's other books or seen the Eat, Pray, Love movie? (+1 entry)
- Visit Elizabeth Gilbert's Website and tell me about something interesting you found. (+1 entry)
- Add @christauf4 on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can use this tweet - #WIN the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert! http://tinyurl.com/2a54976 @christauf4 #GIVEAWAY (+1 entry per day)
- Follow me via Google Friend Connect. (+2 entries)
Giveaway will end December 15, 2010 at midnight. Winner will be selected using random.org and will be notified via e-mail. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be picked.
Thanks and good luck! :)
Disclamer: I received this book as a gift from my mom. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own!
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