Blogger Meet Up & Blickenstaffs Review

Just a reminder:

Please dont forget about the Cake / Book contest!

On Saturday the Utah Bloggers Meetup held their first social at Blickenstaffs. It's funny that I mainly went to get to socialize with some awesome people but came away with no pictures of the lovely gals I talked to and instead got a billion pictures of the AMAZING store that hosted our gathering.

So hopefully a little shout out to those that came will suffice while I show you pictures of Blickenstaffs.

April (Sweet Life in The Valley), Lindsey (Cafe Johnsonia), Carlee (Living the Scream), Jaimie (Just-Jaimie), Camille (Make It Work Mom), Susan (Freshly Picked), Kim (Kim Orlandini), Nicole (Cute Culture Chick), Karen (Surviving the Etsy Madness), Pamala (French Knots), Lindsey (the r house), Brittany ({Love Stitched}), Leslie (Little Mookie), Liz (Cotton and Curls), Diana (Livy Love), Molly (Fluer de Bee), Sarah (Cable Car Couture) Gayle (Mom and Camera). I know there were other great women there, but I didnt get a chance to meet them all (if you were there let me know though and I'd be happy to include a link to your blog!).

After we were all introduce into the store we were told there were 10 golden eggs hiding somewhere. If we found one, inside was the name of a prize. And check it out! I totally found one. Our host, Kyle, told us that this was their most popular selling game last year. My kids were thrilled I came home with a new game.

 

You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and on their Website.

The store kindly sent us all home with a bag full of our choice of candy (we had SO much to choose from) and believe me when I say my kids were more excited about the bag I was holding than to see me coming home. Haha.

I just had to include this. I didnt actually even ask how much it was since I'm sure it'd be more that $5 :) but if I could afford it, I'd love to get this for my husband!

Wordless Wednesday: Hidden Treasure

(This picture was taken by me in October 2010 in Anaheim California at Disneyland.)

***Don't forget about the cake contest!! It ends tomorrow.***

Marriage Monday: Fiercely Loyal

“When you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Selfishness is the great destroyer of happy family life. If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier goal, you will be happy, and your marriage will go on throughout eternity.”

--Gordon B. Hinckley, April 1995

Find my other Marriage Mondays here.



Image found with Google Images.

Tell me Tuesday: 30 for 30

My 29th birthday is coming up and I've been toying with the idea of coming up with a list of

30 things before 30.

I like to think I try new things but it's always fun to get ideas from other places since I'm sure many of them would be things I haven't thought of before.

What do you say? Will you help me out? Throw out a few ideas for me in the comments and I'll try to make my list up here in the next couple of weeks.

Edit: Here's my current list of 30 Things to do before I'm 30.

Marriage Monday: Speak the Right Language

The Five Love Languages

1. Words of Affirmation-Hearing the words "I love you" are important-hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward.
2. Quality Time-Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved.
3. Receiving Gifts-If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you.
4. Acts of Service-Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.”
5. Physical Touch-Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love.

I'd highly encourage you to get a hold of this book and learn more about each love language, both for yourself and for your spouse (or others you know). You can visit the official website and take an assessment right now.

*Information on this post is from The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Find my other Marriage Mondays here.

Cranberryfries Cake Contest

Ever since my last cake contest I've been dieing to host another one but wasn't sure what book I wanted to do. Then one night it came to me (an entire year later!). And now I present to you...

Cranberryfries Cake Contest

(2nd edition)

Instructions:

• We'll have TWO categories. BOOKS & OTHER
• Decorate your cake after ANYTHING of your choosing.
• Send in a picture (or two) of your masterpiece by March 31st to cranberryfries at gmail dot com.
• Please include your name (or alias) and
• -the title/author of the book you used for inspiration OR
• -what theme your cake is (animals, kids, movies, etc)
• I'll post all the entries on my blog and the voting will open.

Grand Prize: Your pick from my book giveaway pile.

(many are SIGNED! by the author)

Chocolate Never Faileth by Annette Lyon

Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs

Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover

Bumpy Landings by Donald Carey

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

The Sapphire Flute by Karen Hoover

Summer In Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

The Diamonds by Ted Michael

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Those titles that are bolded are SIGNED by the author.

Runner up prize: A small version of my "favorite things" box.

Trust me, I think you'd like it!

--

Rules:
-Anyone can enter! I'd love to have a lot of fabulous ideas/creations to choose from!
-Feel free to use whatever you'd like. This isn't a taste test, so go crazy!
-All photo submissions need to be emailed to me at cranberryfries[at]gmail[dot]com by March 31st, 2011. (Feel free to email a few different angles of your cake.)
-You can submit up to three creations.
-Depending on what I get, I reserve the right to create categories of submissions. (For example, different book genres)

Extras:
-Winner(s) will be notified via email so please be sure I know how to contact you. (Sorry prizes can only be shipped in US and Canada.)
-Winner(s) will be chosen by votes from viewers.
-Winner(s) will be chosen based on how cool your cake is (not how it tastes). Have fun! Be creative!
-I reserve the right to add more prizes to the grab bag as I see fit, and allow the winner(s) to choose from such prizes.

Wordless Wednesday: Knotted Tree

(This photo was taken by me in February 2011.)

Marriage Monday: What does marriage encompass?

"Marriage is designed to satisfy this deep search for intimacy. Thus, marriage is not simply a relationship; it is an intimate relationship that encompasses all aspects of life: intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical. In a marriage relationship, a husband and wife share life with each other in the deepest possible way. They view themselves as a unified team, not as two individuals who happen to be living in close proximity."

--The Four Seasons of Marriage by Gary Chapman

You can find my other Marriage Mondays here.

*Image found on Google Images.

Weekend made awesome (thanks to the dollar store)

A few weeks ago I had a few awesome finds at the dollar store. It was awesome to help entertain the kids for the weekend.

I found some little masks that came 3 in a pack (I bought 2). I was going to save this for a family night activity but figured they kids would have more fun each getting to do two. Here's a few.

They LOVE craft time, and it's always fun for me to see the cool creations they make.

This was one of my favorites because once I got them home and took off the wrapper I realized they weren't just ordinary dry erase boards but the hook in the back can help it turn into an easel type thing or it can pull all the way up so you can hang it.

Probably my most favorite are these baskets. I actually got the sponges and spray bottles at another store (but they were still $1 or under). I wish they'd had other colors but my kids LOVE these. We've had them for about a month now and it still makes me laugh how much they want (sometimes ask) to clean because that means they get to use their buckets and spray bottles.

Case in point. This is from today.

We like to dance while we clean.

Customize Your Ice Cream

(This was my entry to the Sassy Scoops contest but I also wanted to post it on my blog too.)

It's not so much a secret anymore that the best place to find some delicious treat is Sub Zero Ice Cream.


SUB ZERO is Cryogenics, the science of ultra cold where they use direct contact freezing.

Which means you get to pick what you want, watch them gather and pour in the ingredients and see it freeze right in front of you. Nothing is frozen before you order!

My favorite part about this place is it's completely customizable! You start out picking your base. You choose from high fat, low fat, yogurt, soy, rice, vegan, apple juice, sherbet, sorbet and custard. (I love this part because even my friends with dietary restrictions can still enjoy a yummy treat.)

Then you can combine that with a mix-in option.

With all these combinations, thats over 25,000 options! I was blown away with all the choices. From several of my favorite candy bars (butterfinger, snickers and oreo) to all sorts of fresh fruit, and of course something little kids love, sprinkles, m&ms, gummie bears and bubble gum!

I can't wait to go back and try the peanut butter flavor with gummi bear mix-ins. My mouth is already watering!

Here's the scoop:

What was your first impression?

I first noticed the huge liquid Nitrogen tank and couldnt wait to see what it was all about.

What did you like the most?

Getting to watch them freeze the ice cream. It's like watching a science experiment and getting a yummy treat at the end. Also I LOVED the consistency of the ice cream. Not quite soft serve, not quite freezer-section-of-the-grocery-store, it was the perfect blend.

What didn't you like?

That I couldn't try more flavors and deliscious-ness. I was just too full!

Would you refer Sub Zero to a friend?

Absolutely! I've already taken a few friends back. Anyone up for a girls night out?

If you could only send out one tweet about this business what would you say?
For a completely customizable ice cream experience go to Sub Zero Ice Cream for over 25,000 options!

Facebook: Sub Zero Ice Cream

Twitter: @SubZeroTweets

They have a several Utah locations including: West Jordan, Centerville, Provo (2), Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Logan, Ogden, & Murray (also locations in Arizona and Idaho).

Inside Scoop!: If you 'like' their facebook page you could enter to win a free one year supply of ice cream. Click on the contest tab for details.

Utah Book Bloggers

Last Saturday was the 5th Book Blogger Social (for any book-y people who blog, or write, or are published). I've been to three now and it's always great fun to hang out with others who enjoy the same things I do.

It was hosted by Natasha at Maw Books, Suey from It's All About Books, and Becky from One Literarture Nut. It's fun to see the growth in the group size even from the few that I've been to, to the group of over 60 people we had at this last event. I only got a few shots so I asked all these great folks if I could borrow some of theirs.

Christy & Me

Me & Olivia

Bree Despain, Me, (The ladies from LDS Womens Book Review) Sheila, Shanda, Mindy

A shot from the corner of the room. An idea of how many awesome people were there.

The lovely Natasha telling us about some fun things to look forward to.

Miss Delacourt Has Her Day

Title: Miss Delacourt Has Her Day
Author: Heidi Ashworth
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: March, 2011
Publisher: Avalon Books
ISBN: 9780803477162
Pages: 192


Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add it: Goodreads | Shelfari

Synopsis: Ginny Delacourt felt the course of true love could not have run smoother. After all, it required only a fortnight, a pair of highwaymen, a pox quarantine, a sham betrothal, and a masquerade ball to bring Sir Anthony up to snuff. When her beloved suddenly becomes the heir to his uncle, the Duke of Marcross, protocol dictates that he drop the "Sir" from his name. It's his uncle who insists Ginny, daughter of a lowly vicar, is not the proper bride for a future duke.
Lucinda and Lord Avery arrive on the scene to stir up trouble, and Ginny's normally manipulative Grandaunt Regina seems helpless to arrange anything, least of all a frowned-upon wedding. It's up to Anthony, with help from his fussy valet, to see to it that Ginny has her day.
The road to true love just got a little bumpier.

My take: If I had to describe this book in one word it would be DELIGHTFUL! This was a such a fun read and an enjoyable sequel to the first book Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind. Heidi did a great job furthering the characters storyline and keeping true to the established characters we already know and love. Ginny is trying hard to find her place in society while Anthony is running around trying to complete a few crazy tasks from his Uncle. All the while the two of them are trying to continue their courtship. If you liked the first one, you'll love this one too!

Buy it: 

Heidi's first book, Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind . You'll love it!

Also be sure to hop over to Heidi's blog Dunhaven Place for the details on giveaways and contests that are happening right now.

Marriage Monday: Nurture It

"Keep your courtship alive. Make time to do things together--just the two of you. As important as it is to be with the children as a family, you need regular weekly time alone together. Scheduling it will let your children know that you feel that your marriage is so important that you need to nurture it. That takes commitment, planning, and scheduling."

-Joe J. Christensen

Find my other Marriage Mondays here.

Sassy Guest

I'm guest posting over at Sassy Scoops today.

(I made it to Round 2 in Utah's Next Top Sassy contest!)

Hop over there and leave a comment! I'd sure appreciate it.

Ever heard of Sub Zero Ice Cream? I have a feeling you'll want to go read my review about it.