Disney PLANES - Movie Review and Kids' Activities

Disclosure: I viewed this movie at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

In typical amazing Disney style, PLANES flies into theaters everywhere today, ready to charm families. Buckle up for this high-flying adventure where Dusty finds himself flying in a worldwide air race. With the help of friends, Dusty overcomes challenges and learns to reach for his dreams, no matter how big they may be. You'll recognize some of the same types of characterizations from CARS, but it's a whole new story. There are lots of exciting ups and downs that kids will love and a spattering of jokes just for the grownups. My husband commented, "It's really impossible to walk out of a Disney movie without a smile on my face." I totally agree with him! My favorite PLANES character is El Chupacabra.

The incredible voice cast includes Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Cleese, Carlos Alazraqui, Priyanka Chopra, Gabriel Iglesias, Roger Craig Smith, Colin Cowherd, Sinbad, Oliver Kalkofe, Brent Musburger, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer. This will definitely be a family favorite, so gather up your children and head to your local theater to see PLANES this weekend!

Get your kids even more excited by visiting the fun links below together to get free activities, free movie clips, free paper airplane tutorials, and free online games. Follow on Facebook and Twitter too!

Disney's FlewTube for activities

Propwash Pursuit game

Jetstream Racers game

Lunch Hour with ‪#‎MyDietCoke #spon

Lunch hour with ‪#‎MyDietCoke

helps me watch calories with taste.

Off to take a ‪#‎DietCokeBreak‬! #spon

New Movie Clip - THOR: THE DARK WORLD - #ThorDarkWorld

Coming November 8, 2013

Marvel.com/thor

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How to Cook Hippo Eggs

Yes, hippo eggs. If you live in Hutto, Texas, then you've probably already eaten a hippo egg at least once. These fabulous creations can only be purchased at Westphalia Market in my town. If you're anywhere near central Texas, you'll definitely want to make a trip here to pick some up.

A hippo egg doesn't really come from a hippo, but since our little town's mascot is a hippo, that's the name given to these delicious delights. Inside that bacon slice wrap, you'll find scrumptious ground sausage, wrapped around a big spicy green jalepeno, which is filled with delectable cream cheese.

The first time I made hippo eggs, I pan broiled them in a bit of extra virgin olive oil for about 45 minutes, turning them over about halfway through. The lid helped keep the heat and the splatters in the pan. They are well-packed so they don't fall apart while you're cooking them.

The next time I made hippo eggs, I placed them in a baking dish, surrounded by red peppers and onions, and baked them in the oven at 350 degrees F for an hour. They can also be grilled on the barbecue grill and we're going to try that next week.

They are so amazingly delicious. Westphalia Meat Market in Hutto has the BEST meats I've ever tasted. Besides the hippo eggs, we've tried their chicken breasts, stuffed pork chops, ground hamburger, beef sticks, and beef jerky. They are all top quality and their prices are better than the big box stores!

Since Hutto is a small town, we don't have a big name grocery store, so Westphalia Market also carries lots of other pantry necessities like bread, milk, pasta, and canned goods. They also sell paper goods, farm fresh produce, and a selection of spice mixes and sauces that are made locally. I love supporting small hometown stores!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post and all opinions are mine.

Nine Fabulous Giveaways Now

• Google Nexus 4 Mobile Phone + Three Months of GIV Mobile Service - Ends Aug 10
• InSinkErator Instant Hot Water Dispenser - Ends Aug 10
• Solar Shields Fashion Sunglasses - Three Winners - Ends Aug 10
• $15 Gift Card to Little Caesars Pizza - Ends Aug 15
• $50 Gift Certificate to Everyday Icing Accessory Auctions - Ends Aug 15
• Sonicare Rechargeable Toothbrush and AirFlosser - Ends Aug 15
• Book: How to go from Boohoo to Woohoo in 90 Days - Ends Aug 15
• Chevy Silverado Strong Swag Giveaway - Ends Aug 31
• AllClear Natural Mosquito Repellents Table Top and Sidekick - Ends Aug 31

DownLinens Gel Pillow - Review

Disclosure: I received pillows at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Nothing gives me a better night's sleep than a brand new, fabulous pillow. DownLinens Gel Pillows are so soft and comfortable, plus they are very supportive. I tend to be a multi-position sleeper, tossing and turning from my side to my back to my stomach. I also tend to wake up a couple times each night.

No matter how I sleep on this pillow, back, stomach or side, it's snuggly soft and pleasant. Since it's hypoallergenic, I don't have to worry about my allergies and the DownLinens proprietary Supreme Comfort Gel Fiber technology makes for a high-quality, affordable pillow. I sleep much more soundly on this pillow.

The cover is 100% premium cotton dobby with an intricate square design and a thread count of 300. These pillows can even go through a delicate cycle in the washer when I need to clean them. My husband is very happy that I got two new pillows because he loves this pillow too.

DownLinens offers a great selection of gel fiber pillows, down pillows, poly cotton pillows, plus a whole array of other wonderful bedding products like comforters, bedtoppers, featherbeds, and blankets to help you sleep comfortably. Since we spend a third of our life in our beds, we should never settle for inferior bedding products!

Visit www.downlinens.com before Sunday, August 12 and you can use this special discount code to save 15% on  your order! 

CODE: ITSGELTIME15

DownLinens 

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Barbie RV - Throwback Thursday Link Up

Includes affiliate link.

Welcome to Throwback Thursday Link Up!

Sponsored By:

Passport To Frugal and Planet Weidknecht

Join Us Each Weekly as We Add a New Stroll Down Memory Lane to
Our Weekly Throwback Thursday Link Up.

Each week we will have a quick post about a "walk down memory lane" or "what if" type of post for Throwback Thursday.

Lisa and Bonnie would love it if you would:

Please link back to our blogs or posts. You will find the buttons below.

The "Throwback Thursday Link Up" will benefit those who participate!

Each post should be along the lines of a fond memory our what ever happened...? or even do you remember...? Please do not link to a site other than your own.

Please make sure you use your own photos in your posts, OR make sure to give credit to your photo source.

Also please take the time to visit at least three of the blogs when you add your link, and share upon your visit.

Please do not link to the same post more than once.

All posts must be family friendly!

As an added feature you may add ONE text link (word; not some obvious shout out) to an affiliate link for a product discussed/mentioned in your post. Example: I remember having a favorite pillow that made the rounds to each and every sleepover throughout my youth. Make sure you make you note in your post about the affiliate link for the FCC!

Let's enjoy a stroll down memory lane; maybe a family vacation or a wonderful food from your childhood. Truly the options are endless!

photo borrowed from an ebay listing

I was one of those very lucky little girls who got this style of a Barbie RV many years ago. I'd wanted it forever and was so excited that Christmas morning to get up and discover Santa had granted my heart's desire that year. I also remember that was the same year I went back to bed right after opening all my gifts because I was so sick and just wanted to sleep. I have to laugh a bit at all the Barbie stuff that today's children collect because I didn't have multiple Barbie dolls. I did have a Ken doll and two of Barbie's friends, but I've seen little girls who own dozens of Barbie dolls and they're all naked with messy hair, stacked naked in some box. My Barbie was very special to me and always had her hair brushed. I had a shoebox full of Barbie clothes, many of them handmade by my mom. That shoebox traveled with me for many years, even into adulthood. During one especially difficult year, I had to sell many of my things to be able to afford to feed my kids, and I finally had to let her go. I wonder where she is now. How many Barbie dolls did you own?

ELYSIUM - Movie Review

Disclosure: I attended Elysium at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

ELYSIUM is the name of a satellite planet, located just off Earth, where the wealthy people of the future reside. They've left our planet because of overpopulation, disease, and crime, to live in a beautiful and peaceful place. Those left on Earth aren't so lucky. Matt Damon plays Max, a young orphan who grew up on Earth, gazing at the beauty of ELYSIUM, wanting nothing more than to get there. Trying hard to beat his criminal past, the adult Max works a daily grind job but an accident puts him at risk of death within a week and he takes on a dangerous mission to get to ELYSIUM where medical machines can help heal him. His not-so-ethical friend believes the mission can help save everyone on the Earth.

Jodie Foster, one of my all-time favorites, plays Secretary Delacourt whose job it is to run the hardline forces who protect ELYSIUM from intruders. Her selfish plans for the future of ELYSIUM and Max's plans to escape there collide into a fabulous story of lies and deceit. Thrown into this mix of violent and dangerous ideals is the kidnapping of a childhood friend of Max and her terminally ill young daughter. Delacourt has no problem ordering the death of anyone.

This movie is filled with great chases on the ground and in the sky, fabulous futuristic weapons, and great acting all the way around. The scenes filmed on the overpopulated Earth were actually filmed in the world's second largest dump, located in Mexico city, and honestly it really made me wonder what our planet will look like in 2154. I really enjoyed ELYSIUM and encourage you to go see it. My husband saw it with me and he thought it was a great movie too. It opens tonight in theaters everywhere! You'll want to leave your young children with a babysitter when you go.

Written and Directed by Neill Blomkamp; Produced by Bill Block, Neill Blomkamp, Simon Kinberg; Executive Producer Sue Baden-Powell. Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, William Fichtner.

EverSave $10,000 Sweepstakes

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Harvest Snaps - Review

Disclosure: I received Harvest Snaps at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Introducing my newest favorite healthy snack! Harvest Snaps are a guilt-free snack made of snapeas and lentils. Snapea Crisps are made from naturally dried peas, which make up 70% of the product, and Lentil Snaps are made from 65% Lentils and contain 5g of protein and 13% of your daily fiber. They are so delicious and I simply love them.

The Snapea Crisps come in four flavors - Lightly Salted, Black Pepper, Caesar, and Wasabi Ranch. The Lentil Snaps come in two flavors - Tomato Basil and Onion Thyme. My favorites are the Wasabi Ranch and Tomato Basil, but I truly love them all.

Their shape reminds me of french fries, but Harvest Snaps are baked, not fried, and they are lower in sodium and fat than lots of other snacks. They are incredibly light and crunchy, with a burst of flavor that tastes nothing like vegetables! Did I mention I have never liked peas?? I'll eat these though!

If you are a snacker, it's important to reach for something that is good for your body, and these are perfect for that late afternoon munchie or midnight snack. They are also fabulous in a salad! My kids love them and I bet yours will too. Put some in their lunchbox or serve as a crunchy afterschool snack.

Visit harvestsnaps.com and find out where you can buy them locally. While you're there, join the Snap Pack and check the website for their current promotions. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Happy healthy snacking!

ASPCA - Your Gift Could Save A Life

For over 140 years, the ASPCA has worked tirelessly to end animal cruelty. From education and care to adoption and rescue, the ASPCA is making a life-changing difference for animals across America. Your support will mean so much to the animals right in your community. Thank you for making the ASPCA and the animals we serve a part of your life.

#‎DietCokeBreak‬ on the patio in the Texas sun. ‪#‎spon‬ ‪#‎MyDietCoke‬

It's only 105 degrees today!
#‎DietCokeBreak‬ on the patio in the Texas sun. ‪
#‎spon‬ ‪#‎MyDietCoke‬

Extend #SharkWeek with Sharkopedia

Disclosure: I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

If you and your family love Shark Week on Discovery, then you simply must add the Sharkopedia to your family library. It's a fascinating, full cover guide to everything about sharks. With over 190 pages and over 400 gorgeous full color photos, you'll find yourself biting into this book regularly. Do you know which shark was clocked swimming at 55 miles per hour?

Sharkopedia shows you everything there is to know about nearly 500 species of sharks and there is even an introduction and special contributions from shark expert and marine biologist Andy Dehart, a regular contributor to Shark Week. Do you know which shark has 25 rows of super-sharp teeth in its mouth?

Shark fans will love the easy-to-read facts on each page that make learning fast and fun. Leave this book on your coffee table and your guests will pick it up time after time. Created by Discovery Communications and Time Home Entertainment, this high quality book would also be an amazing gift. Do you know which shark is the most feared?

Get your copy today at the link below!

AllClear Natural Mosquito Repellents - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Mosquitoes love this time of year, especially after a good rain. Did you know only the females bite? When she bites you, she leaves irritants on your skin that make you itch. When you scratch, you exacerbate the mosquito's irritants, making it even worse.

Terminix AllClear Natural Mosquito Repellents have helped me keep my yard clear of these nasty critters this summer. The Table Top drives away mosquitoes for up to 225 square feet, or a 15'x15' area, which allows us to sit on our back patio and barbecue without getting bites. It also repels gnats, minges, and no see-ums.

The TableTop Mosquito Repeller is an all natural portable mosquito repeller that is proven as effective as leading chemical brands. It has a fan-based diffusion technology to circulate 100% safe, all-natural repellent of lemongrass, cinnamon, peppermint, and geranium oils. It's an excellent value with 18 hours protection per refill - 4 times longer than the leading chemical options. Plus it looks nice on the table!

The Terminix AllClear SideKick is the only natural clip-on repellent on the market. It provides 18 hours of protection per refill - 50% longer than the leading chemical options. It also uses a fan-based diffusion technology which circulates the 100% safe, non-toxic, all-natural repellent of lemongrass, cinnamon, peppermint, and geranium oils. It is best used when sitting, resting, reading, or doing mildly active activities such as gardening or golfing.

I found both products to be very effective against mosquitoes and both are very simple to use. After the initial repellent disc is used up, it's very easy to insert a refill. The fan that is inside is not very loud, so it's not annoying and the scent is actually very pleasant.

You can purchase Terminix AllClear products at terminixallclear.com, homedepot.com, amazon.com, and frontgate.com. Look for them in stores near you too! You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter, then enter below to win the Table Top and Sidekick!

Win the Terminix AllClear Table Top and Sidekick Natural Mosquito Repellents!
Just fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Giveaway ends at midnight on 8/31/2013. Good luck!

Wednesday Wealth Giveaway Link Up

Welcome to my blog!

This past week I won 2 movie tickets, a jar of olives,

and a song download.

What will you win this week?

If you're sponsoring a giveaway, link up!

BloomsToday - Review

Disclosure: I received a bouquet at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Receiving a gorgeous flower bouquet will brighten anyone's day, no matter the occasion or even without an occasion. Every time I walk past this beautiful arrangement of yellow roses and lilies, it makes me smile. For the past week, I've watched the larger lilies bloom and enjoyed the amazing floral aroma lofting through my kitchen.

The packaging used to ship my bouquet is amazing. It came in a cardboard box that is shaped to support both the vase and the bouquet. Everything inside was attached to the box with twist ties. They kept the flowers and the glass vase from being damaged and were very simple to remove.

I was even provided with flower food to add to the water. Best of all the stems were wrapped in a wet spongy material to keep the flowers fresh and beautiful until I could put them in the vase. This Citrus Smiles arrangement is simply breathtaking!

BloomsToday.com has so many flowers to choose from and they can even do same-day delivery in many cases. Over the course of a week, every single flower bloomed and I added some more water midweek. I was amazed at how long the bouquet lasted.

Their website often offers discounts, as well as a Deal of the Day, where you can order flowers to brighten up someone's day. They also offer plants and gifts, perfect for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and so much more.

Buy and send fresh flowers at BloomsToday.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter so that you're first to hear about special promotions!