Gorton's seafood Giveaway!

Got your Sizzle on? Gorton's Seafood does! Just check out our newest, sunniest, hot-off-the-grill-iest promotion!

Gorton's GRILLED Seafood 100 Days of Sizzle Giveaway!

The fun is happening now through September 7, 2011.


Here's what all the Sizzle's about:

1 Grand Prize Winner Each Month receives a sizzlin’-hot Beach Bag Prize Pack: a custom GORTON’S Second Wind Sails tote - made by the Gloucester company that stiches beautiful totes using recycled sails - packed with an Amazon Kindle 3G, an Amazon Gift Card, and a Gorton’s Fisherman Beach Towel ($400 value)!

10 Daily Winners of Gorton’s GRILLED Seafood for 100 days: each prize is a FREE product coupon for 1 Gorton’s GRILLED Seafood item!

....and WIN IT NOW:
2 free product coupons each

TWO READERS WILL EACH WIN 2 FREE PRODUCT COUPONS!

TO ENTER...
1. Follow my page through GFC
2. Follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artisticbaker

Leave a comment for each.

Ends: July 6th, 2011

Good Luck!

DIVINE APPOINTMENTS by Charlene Ann Baumbich

About this book: Josie Brooks is a woman whose life is consumed by her career as a consultant. She is driven to get in, get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible, and then move on to the next challenge, leaving no time for developing relationships, which has served her well thus far. A woman in her 40’s, she is starting to deal with hot flashes and an unusual sense of loneliness. She purchases a mysterious snow globe, with an enticing stream and landscape that she is inexplicably drawn to. Through the people that she meets at her current assignment, she slowly starts to allow herself to explore new relationships, and she begins to change her perception about what is really important. She comes to realize that relationships are valuable, and that first impressions are not what they may first appear to be. My thoughts: The story is an easy, quick read, and I could relate to the themes of mid-life issues and company lay-offs, which is definitely a current issue many are dealing with. The characters are relatable and readers will probably be able to recognize them as someone they know in their own lives. There’s the new boss, Buzz, who seems to be all flash and show at first. There’s the very kind, service-oriented Barb, who makes every effort to encourage those around her. And then there’s Lyle, who at first seems like a ‘bleeding heart’ to Josie until she gets to know him better. For me, the element of the mysterious snow globe seemed to be an unnecessary ‘gimmick’. Although I fully understood the metaphor that the author was using the globe to represent, I thought the story would have been just as good without adding this ‘mystery’ element. disclaimer: this book was provided for review by Waterbook Multnomah Blogging for books!

The Bridge of Peace

About The Book:

Lena Kauffman is a young Old Order Amish schoolteacher who has dealt all her life with attention raised by a noticeable birthmark on her cheek. Having learned to move past the stares and whispers, Lena channels her zest for living into her love of teaching. But tensions mount as she is challenged to work with a rebellious young man and deal with several crises at the schoolhouse that threaten her other students. Her lack of submission and use of ideas that don’t line up with the Old Ways strengthen the school board’s case as they begin to believe that Lena is behind all the trouble.

One member of the school board, Grey Graber, feels trapped by his own stifling circumstances. His wife, Elsie, has shut him out of her life, and he doesn’t know how long he can continue to live as if nothing is wrong. As the two finally come to a place of working toward a better marriage, tragedy befalls their family.

Lena and Grey have been life-long friends, but their relationship begins to crumble amidst unsettling deceptions, propelling each of them to finally face their own secrets. Can they both find a way past their losses and discover the strength to build a new bridge?

About the Author
CINDY WOODSMALL is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family.

My Thoughts:
I have read a few other books by Cindy Woodsmall, and I am definitely a fan. I not only enjoy her writing style and creative plots, but I also enjoy the population she chooses to write about: The Amish. Ever since I was younger I've been fascinated with this population and this lifestyle. I used to read every book I could on the Amish, and have visited Amish homes in Lancaster, PA and got to try their cooking and see how they lived. It's a very siimple lifestyle, and this book was no exception to Cindy's work, as it's another great book.

disclaimer: review copy rec'd

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JOY

The feeling of delight, happiness and pleasure. It’s one of the most cherished emotions you can experience in life. What brings you joy?

For me it's my faith. I have been a Christian since I was a little kid, but for so many people religious is about the actions and the duties and obligations, but it's about so much more.

It's about a relationship with the one who gave up everything for me. It's about the one who was perfect and sinless, taking on the guilt of the world, just so that we could live freely. Because of His sacrifice, I can be forgiven. I am covered by grace, and it's an amazing feeling.

I know everyone reading this may not agree or even believe in a God, but for me . . . I KNOW there is a God.

I once heard a philosophy teacher talk about how it's rational to believe in God. He gave us four scenarios.
1) Scenario 1 - God's real, and you do believe - You go to heaven and avoid hell
2) Scenario 2 - God's not real, and you do believe - You live a good life
3) Scenario 3 - God's real and you DONT believe, you go to hell
4) Scenario 4 - God's Not Real and you DONT believe - nothing happens

In Scenario 1, 2 and 3 it benefits you to believe in God . . . so do you really want to take the chance that he isn't real? It's food for thought, but my Faith is what brings me joy!

About Kleenex®:
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Send a friend a free pack of Kleenex: http://www.kleenex.com/softnessworthsharing
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Pillsbury Pie Crust

What better way to celebrate than taking your family to visit a local apple orchard to pick fruit. Then, take those delicious apples home and bake the quintessential favorite – Apple Pie! It’s so easy when you start with Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pie Crusts, which deliver the look and taste of homemade without the time and stress of making a crust from scratch.

To celebrate all that apple harvest brings, Pillsbury is encouraging families to join in the fun in a number of ways this fall.

VISITING AN APPLE ORCHARD

To pick the best apples for your pie, gather the family for a road trip to the local apple orchard to savor the flavors of fall. Not sure which orchard is closest to you? Log onto tasteofhome.com/appleorchards to find a list of orchards that are planning Love the Pie! baking demonstration events across the country. While there, you can learn pie baking tips and ideas from State Fair Pie Baking Champions, and pick up recipes and participate in other orchard activities.

The best part of baking an apple pie is the memories you make with your family. Don’t forget to capture photos and videos of your entire adventure from your apple orchard visit to baking the pie at home. We’d love for you to then share your photos and videos with your readers by posting them to your blog and to Pillsbury’s "Love the Pie" Facebook page too! Join Pillsbury on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lovethepie and follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/love_the_pie .

In addition, you and your readers can visit Pillsbury.com/pie to download a printable coupon for $0.50 off a package of Pillsbury Pie Crusts today!

BAKING APPLE PIES TOGETHER

After your orchard visit, get the family involved in making pies and other treats together. Pillsbury Pie Crusts are an easy base for your favorite warm apple treats. Simply unroll into a pie plate, fill with your favorite variety of sliced apples and filling, and bake! From orchard to oven, Pillsbury Pie Crusts make apple pie baking simple with delicious results.

ENTER APPLE-A-DAY GIVEAWAY

Finally, if you want to add to your own apple pie baking knowledge and materials, check out the fun Apple-A-Day Giveaway sponsored by Pillsbury and Taste of Home at http://www.tasteofhome.com/Apple-a-Day-Giveaway from September 15 to October 15, you can enter for a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000, as well as pass along the fun to other friends. Each time you enter, you also have a chance at winning daily prizes. If you want to share this giveaway on your blog, simply provide the link.

Here are my attempts at pie:

Pillsbury provided me with the products & information through MyBlogSpark

My little sister is getting married

My little sister is getting married next month. I can't believe she is old enough to be getting married. It seems like it was just yesterday we were climbing trees, and making mud pies in the creek in our backyard, or pushing each other on the swing. I have so many fond memories of time spent with my little sister, and I know that marriage means that things will change, but she met a wonderful Christian man, who treats her like a princess, and she couldn't have picked a better guy!

Isn't her ring gorgeous? He chose well.

On November 20, 2010 my little sister will be a married woman.

It's hard growing up, but some changes are good ones. :)