2010 July

Step 2 Sand and Water Cart

July 27, 2010 By Virginia

We bought our Step 2 Sand & Water Cart in 2009 for Easter. Mister enjoyed helping Daddy put it together.

Product Description

Accessories include 2 boats, a water tower, cup and 42″ tilting umbrella to help shade children from sunlight

Underneath storage shelf allows toys to dry after use

Two front wheels and handle allow cart to be moved from place to place very easily

Includes durable protective lid that attaches securely with elastic tie-downs to keep out debris and rain-water

Holds 40 lbs. (18.14 Kg) of sand and 1/2 gallon (1.9 L) of water (not included)

Then by accident, I gave it away. Well, I didn’t give it away, but it was taken by accident. We regularly donate to charity, and the cart was sitting out front when the truck came by, so they took it. I was absolutely devastated! I literally spent 2 days, multiple e-mails and phone calls, and plenty of tears getting it back. I had to send pictures proving that the cart was ours, etc, etc. Fortunately, they brought it back and all is well that ends well, right?

Last summer, many hours were enjoyed by Mister with the Sand and Water Cart (Sister was a bit young to try it out). You may remember the Fun in the Sun scrapbook page that I did with the cart.

Credit: Beach Bum kit, created by Amanda Heimann, Lyndsay Riches, Wild Dandelions & Ziggle Designs. Available in Scrap Orchard’s Market.

This year we moved the Sand and Water Cart to the back yard, since it is fenced in. Both Mister and Sister have spent much time enjoying it.

The Step 2 Sand and Water Cart was easy to assemble, is durable, well made, easy to clean, weather resistant, and is easy to move (Mister turns it over to dump the yucky water routinely). I love that it has the cover for when it’s not in use. The umbrella is sturdy and easily removed when not in use. The water wheel has stood the test of time and still functions, though the kids drag it back and forth between the pool and the cart. Our two LOVE to mix the sand and water, so when we ran out of sand—thanks to Mister throwing it all in my flower bed, thanks son—we didn’t replace it and are using it as a water cart only.

The only thing I would consider changing about the Step 2 Sand and Water Cart is that I would add the ability to lock the wheels. As I said, it is easy to move, and aside from turning it over to dump it, Mister also pushes it all over the back yard!

I would definitely recommend the Step 2 Sand and Water Cart for ANY home that has toddlers!

Here’s to Fun in the Sun!

The Step2 Sand and Water Cart is available on Amazon.

**Please note** this is an unsolicited/uncompensated review that contains affiliate links.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Children, Kids, Outdoor, Reviews, Toys

Mediterranean Chicken from Good Earth plus giveaway

July 27, 2010 By Virginia

***Please Note–This Giveaway Has ENDED. ***

Please see Winners page for winning entrant information.

Ever had one of those days where things got crazy busy and before you realized it, it was dinner time and you hadn’t even thought of dinner yet? I had one of those days recently, and fortunately, Good Earth came to the rescue. You see, I had signed up for MyBlogSpark and received an opportunity to review a new Good Earth dry dinner kit and agreed. The kit came, and I took it out to photograph it, then I put it back in the box and set the box in the pantry.

Then all chaos broke loose on my day about a week later. So, when dear hubby got home and asked, “What’s for dinner?” I thought, no better time than now to try out the Good Earth kit.

So, I grabbed the box, my non-stick pan, and my noodle pot.

About the product…The Good Earth dry dinner kits are similar to other boxed dinner kits, in that they include everything you need to make a meal with the exception of the meat. 100% whole grain, no trans fat, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives, no MSG – just add meat and, voila! Dinner is served. Good Earth dry dinner kits offer a selection of four delectable meals: Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta, Spicy Citrus Glazed Shrimp with angel hair pasta, Herb Crusted Chicken with mushroom risotto and Tuscan Chicken with penne pasta. We received the Mediterranean Chicken kit to review. Because it was already dinner time, I took a shortcut and used leftover chicken breast that I had in the fridge instead of preparing fresh chicken breast.

In the noodle pot, I prepared the enclosed pasta.

Once I had both finished, I had to decide. The box said you can serve the meat mixture as a topping or mix it all together. Knowing my husband, I decided to mix it all together.

I served it with some steamed apples that I did in the microwave real quickly. Note- I served ours on our normal dinner plates, because the kids would have thrown fits if we had special plates and they didn’t.

What I thought… Not only did dinner look good, it tasted good. The blend of spices with the whole wheat pasta and chicken was perfect. And I felt good about serving it. A tasty dinner that is healthy, too? Now that, I can serve. The dry dinner kit instructions were incredibly easy to follow, and it only took about 25-30 minutes from the time I opened the box until the time I set the plates on the table. It’s a good thing, too, cause my family was H.U.N.G.R.Y!

What I would change… I wouldn’t change anything about the dinner kit that we tried. I would love to try the other flavors, but I know the mushroom risotto will not fly in our home. LOL.

How I rate it…

For ease of use and taste, I give the Good Earth dry dinner kit a healthy 5 out of 5 hearts.

Where you can buy it… Good Earth dry dinner kits are available at grocers nationwide.

Win It… Good Earth and MyBlogSpark would like to give one lucky Lady V dZine reader the same gift pack that I received, which includes a Good Earth Mediterranean Chicken dry dinner kit, two sets of bamboo flatware, two bamboo dishes, a bamboo utility board and a 100% recyclable grocery tote.

Mandatory Entry: Simply comment on which new flavor of Good Earth dry dinner kits you would like to try

***Please note- this must be done before any bonus entries will count***

Contest Specific Bonus Entries:

1 bonus entry- Comment with a flavor you would like to see Good Earth offer that is not already offered.

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1 bonus entry- Tweet this contest, including @ladyvdzine and leave your tweet link (may be done once per day). You may also include the hashtag #contests or #giveaways if desired.

Feel free to use this tweet: RT @ladyvdzine #Win a Good Earth dinner kit, bamboo flatware and reusable tote http://bit.ly/aDWCbj #win #giveaway

1 bonus entry- Follow my blog via Networked Blogs (see right sidebar) and let me know your username.

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10 bonus entries- Blog about the contest, including a link back to the contest post. Leave ten separate comments including a direct link to your blog post (not your home page).

Be sure to visit my Contest Rules and Bonus Entry Options for even more additional entry options.

Good luck!

The fine print…

Contest open to the US. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on 08/10/2010. Winner will be selected randomly. Winner will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to respond with mailing address. If no response is received from the winning entrant, a new winner will be selected. Prize pack, information, and giveaway have all been provided by Good Earth through MyBlogSpark. I received the aforementioned prize pack to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and are based upon my experience. Your experience may differ.

Filed Under: On the Menu Tagged With: Food, Giveaways, Reviews

B90Days Day 23 A kiss of pardon

July 27, 2010 By Virginia

Today’s reading is 2 Samuel 12-21.

Scripture 2 Samuel 14:29-33

Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come. Then he said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. Then Joab did go to Absalom’s house and he said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you and said, ‘Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!” ’ Now then, I want to see the king’s face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.” So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.

Observation

Absalom wanted an interview with Joab. It was because of Joab that Absalom had returned to Israel. Yet, he hadn’t seen his father’s face for two years. Surely in those two years, he grew quite irritated that his father wouldn’t see him. And he knew that Joab may be able to persuade his father. So, he sent for him. Twice. And Joab refused to come. Joab knew that the king didn’t want to see Absalom. So, Absalom burned his barley fields. He knew that Joab would come if he set fire to the barley. And Joab did. He came running, crying out, “Absalom, why are you burning my fields?”

Absalom felt like he was without guilt. He actually justifies his actions, “Look, I sent for you twice, and you didn’t come…” Then Note, “if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.” Absalom was bitter, ungrateful, and malicious. What a despicable man. And yet, he felt that he was without blame. Notice he said to Joab, “if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.”

When he did appear before the king, he received a kiss—a sign of reconciliation—rather than the punishment he so rightly deserved.

Application

When I read this, I was at first outraged. How dare Absalom burn Joab’s fields, and then go before the king as if he was without blame. He had committed so many crimes that to believe himself innocent was ludicrous. But, then I read it again.

How many times have I committed sin, and yet, when I came before the Father, received pardon rather than the punishment I deserve? In no way were Absalom’s actions justified. Just as in no way are my sins without blame. And yet, David kissed him. Just as the LORD embraces every sinner who will humble himself.

Prayer

Lord, help me to recognize the gravity of my sin when I am in it, and help me to humbly come before you. Forgive me and help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. Thank you, Lord, for pardoning me, when I deserve to be punished. In Jesus name, Amen.

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: B90 Days, Bible Study, Faith, SOAP

B90Days Week 4/Day 22 Check In

July 26, 2010 By Virginia

Okay, so today is the check in for the 90-Day Challenge hosted by MomsToolBox.com.

Since I jumped into the 90 day challenge from the chronological study I had been doing, the change from reading one or two chapters a day to reading the equivalent of 12 pages a day is mind blowing. According to YouVersion, I have read 24.4% of the Bible. That is just unreal to me. This week alone, I’ve read Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, and got a running start on 2 Samuel.

My thoughts so far?

I am SO glad that I started this challenge. Some of my friends and family are considering taking the challenge, as well. That is very exciting to me.
Getting through the reading is a challenge with the two kiddos. If I don’t get the reading done before they get up, I have to do it in bits and pieces throughout the day and find that I have to re-read quite a bit to keep it straight. It does help to have a Bible everywhere, so that I can use those otherwise wasted moments. Waiting in the doctor’s office- READ. Waiting for the 2 year old to potty- READ. Waiting for dinner to finish cooking- READ! I’ve carried a Bible in my purse for a LONG time. But, now I also have one on the counter in the kitchen, one in my bathroom, one in the basement, and of course, YouVersion on my laptop.
While SOAP is great, and I will be doing it daily IRL, I will not be able to post my SOAP everyday. I am going to aim for 4-5 days a week. Trying to do more will just frustrate me.
I love love LOVE the book of Ruth. I could read it over and over again. Of course, then I wouldn’t get through the challenge, but, hey.

Anyway, I have thoroughly enjoyed my whirlwind introduction to the 90 day challenge, and look forward to finishing up on October 2nd.

Let me leave you with the verse that stood out to me in today’s reading, 2 Samuel 7:22…

“How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”

There truly is no god like our God.

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: B90 Days, Bible Study, Faith, SOAP

B90Days Day 20 SOAP- Obedience

July 24, 2010 By Virginia

I’m late with my post for today, it’s been a busy day.

Today’s Reading is 1 Samuel 2-15

Scripture– 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

Observation

If Saul had only obeyed, he may have kept his throne.

To obey requires no special talent, only character. To obey is to follow instruction, to submit to authority, to humble yourself, and to respond out of love. Ultimately, anything short of obedience is sin.

Obedience requires an ear to hear, and a heart to respond.

God is more interested in our obedience to His Word than any result that could be gained through disobedience. God cannot be pleased with disobedience, no matter how much good comes of it.

Application

How easy is it to get so involved in doing good and serving the kingdom that we fail to listen. If I cannot listen, I cannot obey. If I am not in constant communication with the Lord, how can I hope to hear?

Prayer

Lord, help me to bring it all to you in prayer, and then help me to shut my mouth and open my ears and heart to hear what You would have to say. Help me to listen to your Word, and then to obey. I want You to be pleased with me. The only place I want to be is in the center of your will. In Jesus name, Amen.