Category Archives: Giveaway

My Secret For Baking Perfect Bread Loaves Every Time!

Tis’ the season for hearty soups and stews and home-baked bread. I used to have issues baking bread, it just never came out right. Last year, I discovered that when I used a bread cloche I could make the most delicious artisan bread consistently. Baguettes were not a problem any more either and I was turning them out 3 at a time. They disappeared before they were even cool! So I was left with mastering baking the perfect bread loaf. I am happy to report I mastered that and no matter how many I make, they are perfect and delicious every time!

If you are looking for pointers, I can help. I will tell you that I do use bread flour, I add a little more sugar than my recipe calls for and make sure to use fresh, active dry yeast. The recipe I use is easy, it is actually the same recipe I use when I make my round bread in the Emile & Henry Bread Cloche. I do not change a thing, the only thing I do differently, is use the Emile & Henry Bread Loaf Baker.

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This is the recipe I use:

3 cups of bread flour

1 cup of warm water (95 degrees F)

2 tsp of salt

2 tsp of granulated sugar

2 tsp of dried baker’s yeast

2 tbsp of milk

In a large bowl mix the bread flour, salt, sugar and dried yeast.

Pour in the warm water and knead for about 2-3 minutes.

Put the covered bowl in a warm place away from drafts to rise for 20 minutes.  Uncover the dough and knead to remove the carbon dioxide, form the dough into a loaf.  Grease the bread loaf pan with butter and flour and place the loaf of dough into the loaf dish. Cover with the top and let rise for another 45 minutes at room temperature.

Brush a little milk over the top at the end of the rise time and sprinkle with flour.

Bake in a preheated oven of 460 degrees F for 35 minutes and I remove it after a few minutes to a board.

Click on my video below to see me bake a loaf from start to finish.

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We have a giveaway for this bread loaf baker and you can enter below. We will also be posting a giveaway for a Emile & Henry Butter Pot and Stewpot so make sure you follow us if you don’t want to miss it. We think Emile & Henry products make great gifts and we will be putting them on our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide.

Emile & Henry is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Emile & Henry Bread Loaf Baker . Thank you to Emile & Henry for my bread loaf baker and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Emile & Henry Bread Loaf Baker Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Baking, Cooking, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Review

Meet Your Teething Baby’s New Best Friend-Sammy The Squid #Giveaway #HolidayGiftGuide

Babies who are teething have a new best friend! Meet Sammy The Squid, his squeaks will have baby squealing with delight. The variety of textures and chewable parts will make Sammy a friend your baby will want around all the time.

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This teething toy is part of the Brain Builders Collection from The People Toy Co. Sammy may seem a little pale but it is a good thing! There are no added colors for  safety. The unique shape holds your baby’s attention, soothes sore gums and helps develop multiple senses.

Check out our video review of this teething toy below:

You can purchase this teether on Amazon. We like it so much we are adding it to Mommy Ramblings 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

The People Toy Co. is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Sammy The Squid Teethng Toy! Thank you to The People Toy Co.  for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Sammy The Squid Teether From The People Toy Co. Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, Christmas, Gift, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Review

Perfect Rattle For The New Baby! #Giveaway #HolidayGiftGuide

Do you have a new baby or a new baby on your holiday list this year? If so, we are going to be featuring several toys from the People Toy Co. We will feature several toys from their Brain Builders Collection.

Check out the Feather Light Teething Rattle. It is very light, one end has soft surfaces for baby with a very soft rattle sound. It is not a sound that will startle baby at all.

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The handle of the rattle is very narrow so that baby can hold it easily. It is a cute little butterfly on one end and the other end is a teether that is great as baby starts cutting teeth. The ridges and bumps on the teether help to soothe baby’s sore gums. You can purchase this rattle on Amazon.com.

Check out our video to see all the details.

Mommy Ramblings thinks this Feather Light Teether makes a great present for baby this holiday season so we are adding it to our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide.

Giveaway

People Toy Co. is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Feather Light Teething Rattle. Thank you  for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

People Toy Co. Feather Light Teething Rattle Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, Gifts, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide

Blessings of Unity For a Happier Marriage #Giveaway #AllForJesus #FlyBy

Did you know that 50-60% of all Christian marriages end in divorce? In his book, The Blessings of Unity, Richard Case who with his wife Linda has been doing marriage retreats for over 14 years, found only a few of those marriages that have not moved to divorce are truly reflecting the wonder and glory of God. The remainder are living in mediocrity, ongoing conflict and certainly not enjoying the beauty of marriage.

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Richard says that while we may be initially attracted to our spouse because of how different their personality is to ours, it is those differences that cause conflict. The husband tries to get his wife to be more like him while the wife does the same with her husband. These attempts to change the other person lead to significant conflict.

Richard and his wife Linda learned from their own marriage troubles that something was not right. They then learned the 2 keys to a successful marriage were :

  1. Be abiding in the Vine and walking in the Spirit. (John 15: 1-15)
  2. Learning the concept of unity–we are to live and only live through the principle of unity. This means working toward reaching agreement on all decisions, all issues and all things of our lives 100 percent of the time, all the time. (Psalm 133)

Next, there is a written exercise for husbands and wives to evaluate their marriage.

Chapter 2 is all about the opposite of unity-division and discord. This is a great chapter filled with concepts, scripture and personal examples from the author’s marriage.

Now you may be thinking, this is crazy, my spouse and I cannot agree on everything. I admit, I had the same thought. The author does not think that is possible either and says it is okay to disagree. In fact it is important for each of us to hold integrity with our true thoughts, beliefs and insights. The important thing is they don’t let it ruin their night or weekend, instead they get to unity by seeking God’s will.

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There is also a chapter dedicated to handling disagreements and differences in opinion.

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I think this is important and I think the whole concept can help us give up the fight to be right and seek peace and pray for God’s will instead. Who does not want more peace in their life?

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Giveaway:

Enter our giveaway below for a chance to win your own copy of The Blessings of Unity. In the meantime check out this free eBook, Unshakeable, from the All for Jesus Ministry.

The Blessings of Unity Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US and Canadian residents. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Giveaway, Life, Relationships, Review, Weddings

Share “Where Jesus Slept” With Your Child #Giveaway #FlyBy #WhereJesusSlept

If you are looking for a great read aloud book that teaches children the true meaning of Christmas, Where Jesus Slept is a new favorite of ours.

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This book is written in a rhyming, repetitive way that is similar to the style of  This is the House that Jack Built. The story starts with the hay and continues on until the baby Jesus who slept on it appears.

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The illustrations are beautiful and the story about the first Christmas is one that fills our hearts with what Christmas is all about. I love sharing this book at bedtime at least one night a week with my children in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

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It provides a springboard for discussion you can taper to the age of the children you are reading to. It seems every time we read it, there are new questions they have. With all the commercialism of the holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ, this book keep us centered on what really matters!

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About the author:
Norma Lewis is the author of ten books. She lives in Grand Haven, MI, with a marmalade cat named Scalawag. They both love spending time with her six grandchildren, ranging in age from three to twenty.
Illustrated by Katy Hudson.

Would you like a chance to win your own Where Jesus Slept Book? If so, enter the giveaway below!

Giveaway:

Where Jesus Slept Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Open to US residents.

 

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Filed under Books, Giveaway, Holiday, Spiritual

The Perfect Choice For Meaningful Gifts This Holiday Season #HolidayGiftGuide

As a mother, I feel the most meaningful gifts are those that celebrate the things I hold dear. That is why hand stamped jewelry is so popular and makes such a thoughtful gift. I recently discovered aka Originals Hand Stamped Jewelry.aka-originals-logo copper-bracelet

As I looked through the rings, bracelets, necklaces, money clips, key rings and more, I was really impressed. I wanted something that would be able to fit the names of all five of my children. The Personalized Name Cuff Bracelet would allow me to have their names stamped into it and it came in a variety of finishes.

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I chose to go with the Nu Gold which is a brass alloy that has been specially formulated for jewelry. The rich warm color resembles gold which is what I normally wear so it goes well with my rings and necklaces without the high cost of gold. Nu Gold contains 85% copper and 15% zinc and is nickel free.

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The bracelet has room for 125 characters including spaces and punctuation and is 3/8″ wide. I was very impressed when it arrived. It has hearts between the names and on the ends. It has a very rich look and matched my gold jewelry nicely. It is a beautiful reminder of the importance of family and a great conversation piece. If you are looking for a special gift for someone, check out the aka Originals Website.

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We think a piece of hand stamped jewelry from aka Originals is such a great gift idea we are adding it to Mommy Ramblings’ 2016 Holiday Gift Guide. That’s not all, we are having a giveaway and you can enter for your chance to win a bracelet just like this. You can choose from copper or Nu Gold finish.

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Giveaway:

aka Originals is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Personalized Name Cuff Bracelet in Nu Gold or Copper. Thank you to aka Originals for my beautiful bracelet  and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

aka Originals Name Cuff Bracelet Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Make Every Day Your Best Day Ever! #HolidayGiftGuide #Giveaway

One of my pet peeves is when people say they are “busy” because busy people can go around all day being busy and not get anything done. Have you seen those people? They spend the day rushing around, huffing and puffing, pounding on their computer keyboard, starting multiple tasks, complaining all the way but at the end of the day, they have accomplished next to nothing. Being busy is not good, you want to be productive!

I have found that time management is essential to getting things done. I actually teach a course for Mastering Time Management for bloggers and another for business professionals. Having a positive mindset is one thing I know helps me to manage everything I need to get accomplished each day. Whatever words you follow “I am” with, can set the tone for the moment, the day, your life. So instead of saying, “I am stressed, I am behind, I am overwhelmed” say, “I am going to accomplish great things today, I am blessed, I am healthy, I am productive.” You will be surprised how your thoughts can change the way you feel, the way you work and ultimately change your life!

Another big thing is to write it down and make it happen. It is easy to become distracted, especially if you are an adult with ADD. So keep a list every day. There are apps for this but I like a paper list because I feel it is more tangible. I actually write it down and I get to cross it off when it’s done which is a great feeling.

Our attitude sets our day, we cannot control all the situations that happen but we can control how we respond. Part of that is setting the tone for each day. Make every day your best day ever!

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When I was contacted by a representative from Best Day Ever and then sent their Metallic Best Day Ever Mug, Official Listmaker Notepad and a Letterpress Journal, I was thrilled! This is a great way to have my coffee, write my to-do list and review my thoughts, dreams, ideas and inspiration for the day. Please take a look at my unboxing video of these great items below:

 

Best Day Ever is about meeting you where you are, designing your best life and encouraging you along the way with classes, podcasts, blogs, books, challenges and more. It is about arming you with the tools to make every day better than the last. Check out the Best Day Ever Website to learn more.

Oh, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Best Day Ever Gift Set for yourself. Gift Set includes what you see in my video; Best Day Ever Metallic Mug, Official Listmaker Notepad and the Letterpress Journal.

 

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Giveaway:

Best Day Ever is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Best Day Ever Gift Set! Thank you to Best Day Ever for the review gift set and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Best Day Ever Gift Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Christmas, Giveaway, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, Life, Review

Say & Pray Devotions for Little Ones-#Giveaway #SayandPray #FlyBy

As we move into the holiday season, I want to share a great gift idea for little ones. Say & Pray Devotions: First Words, Stories, and Prayers  is a nice, sturdy board book by bestselling children’s author Diane Stortz. This book is a perfect beginner devotional for little ones learning words. What is especially nice, is that this book not only teaches words but helps teach kids about learning and following Biblical principles.

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The fun style of artwork and educational elements that were in Say & Pray Bible are in Say & Pray Devotions. Teaching the basics of identification and comprehension while sharing Biblical principles for life is easy with this book. Little ones love saying all the words that represent the things they see on each page. This method of associating the word for the item helps with learning sight words which in turn develops their earliest reading skills.

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We are adding this to Mommy Ramblings’ 2016 Holiday Gift Guide. If you would like to purchase the book, you can do that HERE. We also have a giveaway below where you can enter for a chance to win a copy of this great book for little ones.

Giveaway:

Say & Pray Devotions:First Words, Stories and Prayers Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Christmas, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Review

#DrinkClick Coffee Protein Drink and Keep Click’N Through Your Day! #Giveaway

My days are packed with things I need to do, deadlines I need to meet and projects I must complete. Some people ask, how I manage to get as much done as I do each day. I used to tell them it was a combo of sheer determination and a lot of coffee. Now, I discovered something even better than coffee.  You might be thinking, what could be better than coffee? How about a protein drink that has a double-shot of real espresso coffee? One that is available in Mocha, Caramel or Vanilla Latte flavors.click

Do you like that sound of that? I did too! CLICK®, the coffee lover’s protein drink, provides the decadent taste and energy you crave along with the nutrition your body needs making it easier for you to stick to your plan and achieve your health, fitness and weight-loss goals. Besides the espresso, it has 23 vitamins and minerals and will help you feel full for hours.

Enjoy CLICK hot or cold. Check out my video review below.

CLICK has the right amount of protein for weight control. Many protein shakes are actually too high in protein, fat and calories to support weight loss effectively. Enjoy CLICK as an all-in-one breakfast, meal replacement, appetite-curbing, guilt-free, mid-day snack, pre or post workout drink.

At less than two dollars per serving, put some purpose to your coffee with CLICK’s cost effective all-in-one coffee protein drink mix!

CLICK is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a canister of CLICK in their choice of flavor and a CLICK protein shaker cup! Thank you to CLICK for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

CLICK Coffee Protein Drink Mix Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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These Boots Flirt with your Feet! #Lugz #Giveaway

Fall weather is boot weather! If you are looking for some new boots, check out the Women’s Flirt from Lugz. This is an everyday, go-to boot that takes the classic work style boot and gives it a fashionable facelift!  This boot features a chunky, leather wrapped wooden heel, permahide upper,  padded tongue, flexastride memory foam insole and padded collar. lugz-2016-1

I love that these boots provide great traction whether I am walking in wet leaves, snow or sleet. The durable lug sole gives me the confidence  I need to step out in any kind of weather.

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The Flirt is available in black gum, black, golden wheat and brown gum. I chose the black gum and love the look of them! Enter below for a chance to win a pair!

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Giveaway:

Lugz is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a pair of Women’s Flirt Boots in their choice of color (subject to availability). Thank you to Lugz for the review boots and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Lugz Women’s Flirt Boots Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Giveaway, Review, shoes