Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Since it is The Ultimate Blog Party week, I decided to post an easy drink recipe for you to try at your next party! Make sure you go to Blessed With Grace to see the other great recipes this week.

Frozen Slush
9 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 packages of frozen fruit of your choice (I like raspberry)
12 oz can of frozen orange juice
1 package of unsweetened Kool-Aid (match flavor to chosen fruit)
2 cups vodka

~boil 1 cup of water, dissolve sugar in water
~combine orange juice, fruit, Kool-Aid; blend until smooth
~add sugar water, mix well
~add vodka and remaining water
~freeze in a large container
~mix with 50/50 or Sprite to serve

Ultimate Blog Party 2009 & Chic Buds Giveaway!

I am so excited to be participating in 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party :) I can't wait to start blog hopping and finding great new friends. If you haven't joined the fun yet, go to 5 Minutes for Mom right now and link up!

Did you know there are prizes!? Who doesn't love prizes. The top 3 prizes I would like to win are:
~#58 Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer provided by Moms Who Think
~#45 Diaper Bag from Made by Michelle
~#41 Charm Necklace from Elemental Memories

I also like Intl1, Intl 36, USC10, USC74,#113, #118.

Welcome to my blog! My name is Kim, I am a 36 years old and I have been married for 13 years this year. We have 4 great kids, a daughter who is 11, and 3 boys ages 9, 7, and 3. We also have 3 dogs, they are all labs, a yellow one, a black one and a chocolate one. We also have 2 cats. We live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA.

I just posted my 100th blog post today as well, so you can read 100 things about me here.

I also have a great giveaway to celebrate the Ultimate Blog Party! I am giving away a pair of Chic Buds ear buds. I love my Chic Buds!, I use them for my laptop and for my MP3 player all of the time. They are super cool, compact and stylish. You can find out more about Chic Buds here.

Here is what you need to do to win your own pair of Chic Buds!

Main Entry ~ please complete both parts to be eligible.
1. Read my 100 Things About Me post and let me know if there is anything we have in common.
2. Subscribe to my blog by clicking the panda in my upper right hand sidebar.

Bonus Entries ~ leave separate comments for each task completed.
1. Follow my blog (left sidebar)
2. Put my button on your blog
3. Follow me on twitter here
4. Tweet this contest by copying this tweet "Win a pair of Chic Buds from Craftymamaof4 http://bit.ly/sErfm "(you can do this once a day, leave a comment each day)

PLEASE READ THIS
US entries only please. Please make sure to leave a valid email address or your Twitter ID in at least one of your comments. I will not hunt you down if you win. If you do not follow the entry requirements as stated above, your entry will be invalid, so please make sure you read the directions carefully :) This contest will end at 11:59 pm EST, Sunday, March 29th . The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified via email or Twitter DM. The winner will also be posted on this blog. The winner has 48 hrs from the time of the posting to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.

Happy 100th Post To Me! 100 Things About Me

Wow I can't believe it's been 100 posts already! Time sure flies when you are having fun doesn't it!

From what I understand it is time to do a "100 things about me" post for my 100th post. Here goes, they are in no particular order, just typing as I think of them. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think :) Thanks.

Most of you know I am married and have 4 kids so I'm gonna skip that! I hope you enjoy :)

1. I always wanted to be a toe dancer and took dance for 13 years until they finally told me (at age 14) I didn't have a chance cause I was too tall.
2. I'm 5'11" tall
3. I like to garden and I have had my own garden for about 7 years. 4. My favorite girlfriend movie is "Grease" I know all the words by heart.
5. Before my Twitter addiction, I was addicted to playing Webkinz.
6. My first car was a brown Plymouth Volare. It only had an AM radio and no rear window defogger. We parted when it spontaneously caught on fire on my way home from student teaching one day.
7. I have a degree in Elementary Education from The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Also known as UPJ.
8. I met my husband when I was 16, we have been together ever since.
9. I used to be really skinny. Disgustingly skinny.
10. I collect Precious Moments. I currently have over 200.
11. I have never taught a day in my life, I ended up working in Human Resources after graduating from college.
12. I had MAJOR 80's hair.
13. I am afraid of heights, but I love the adrenaline rush of a good roller coaster.
14. I went to England when I was 13 with an Explorer group and partied HARD! OMG would you let your 13 year old daughter do this? I know I wouldn't, hard to believe my mom let me go.
15. I lived in a bubble as a child, my mom was very protective. (why did she let me go overseas???)
16. So, when I was in labor with my 1st child I blamed my mom for all of my pain because she never let me get hurt so I didn't know what real pain felt like. Love you Mom :) All the pain was worth it.
17. When I was little I used to cry about my "problems" to my poodle Pepe.
18. I used to sell Pampered Chef and I think I have everything they produce.
19. My best friend is Wendy, she lives in Nashville, and I miss her everyday.
20. I always wanted 8 kids, but finally realized 4 was my limit.
21. I can't stand the smell of vanilla candles, they give me a headache.
22. I love chocolate, but I don't like chocolate cake.
23. I can't eat french fries without ketchup, but I can't eat ketchup on anything but french fries.
24. I don't drink coffee, I don't think I have ever even tasted it.
25. When I was in labor with my 1st child I flashed my dad (I was delirious) to show him the one spot on my belly where all the pain was. I think he is still recovering.
26. Before November 2008, I didn't even know what blogging was.
27. I was in love with Kirk Cameron as a tween.
28. I also was in love with John Taylor from Duran Duran, still love them today.
29. My first concert was Duran Duran in 1988, I went with my Grandma.
30. I said I was gonna get pregnant on my honeymoon, and I did. My Grandma was counting on her fingers when my daughter was born 3 weeks early.
31. I watch way too much tv and I let my kids watch way too much tv.
32. I have a weakness for bags of all kinds. I had 4 different diaper bags with my last baby.
33. I hate doing dishes.
34. My house is always a mess.
35. I love Disney movies and I think I have most of the older ones on VHS.
36. My favorite flavor is raspberry.
37. My favorite color is pink.
38. I live across the street from my parents, next to my mother in law and on the same block as my brother. My parent's house is the house I grew up in.
39. I love the beach.
40. I torture my children every time we go to the beach while trying to get the "perfect" beach photo. I think they still like the beach.
41. I can't dance.
42. I like Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers, but my DD11 and DS9 keep trying to tell me I'm to old to like them.
43. I am an impulse shopper
44. I don't have any cavities
45. I'm stuck here on #45
46. I have recently fallen in love with Edward from Twilight
47. I bite my fingernails
48. I cry way to easily, I even tear up when I talk to people in regular conversations.
49. I have watched every episode of Survivor from the beginning
50. I met Amber after the first time she was on Survivor
51. I met Amber and Rob after Survivor All Stars.
52. I love the Harry Potter books.
53. I love Ellen.
54. I love Chris Mann.
55. I swear I saw a ghost when I was a kid in my Aunt's attic.
56. I use way too many paper plates. (see #33)
57. I fixed my wiper fluid hose in my Volare once with a straw from Sheetz. It was winter and I needed my wiper fluid to make it home from college!
58. I dye my hair, I have tons of grey. Really!
59. I never learned how to drive a stick shift.
60. I grew up boating every weekend from the time I was just a few months old.
61. I never learned how to water ski (see #15)
62. I cried when my Dad sold our boat. It was about 8 years ago :(
63. I wish I could afford a boat.
64. I am Italian.
65. I want a tattoo. I don't know why since I don't like pain, it's a mystery to me.
66. "@tncountrygal thinks I'm good people" ~ thanks @tncountrygal :)
67. I used to have 5 piercings in my ears, they have long since closed up and I am now down to 2. 68. I have a ton of shoes, but I hate wearing shoes.
69. I eat my salad without dressing.
70. I don't like to try new foods.
71. I did try Indian food for the first time at SXSW and it wasn't so bad.
72. I still don't like to try new foods. Lol
73. My favorite ice cream is Eddy's Loaded Peanut Butter Cup. YUMMY
74. I just started text messaging last week at SXSW.
75. I cannot make brownies to save my life. They are either uncooked or hard as bricks.
76. I am a Pepsi addict
77. I still have my pooh bear and blankie from when I was little, thanks to my mom who saves everything.
78. I threw away the roses from my Mom and Dad's wedding cake (over 30 years old). They were in her freezer, I was cleaning it out, I didn't know what they were until months later. She was pretty mad when she found out. Sorry Mom :)
79. I can't take liquid medicine, I have an overactive gag reflex all I have to do is smell the medicine and I'm done.
80. I listen to Taylor Swift while I cut my grass.
81. I stay up way too late every night (like tonite, gotta finish tomorrow)
82. When I was a tween I was the roller skating limbo champ at our roller rink.
83. Merry-go-rounds make me ill.
84. I like to do puzzles.
85. I'm a geek, would be lost without my electronics.

86. I dream of winning the lottery, but I never play. I guess it doesn't work that way huh?
87. I have always wanted a light blue convertible VW Cabriolet. Do you think I could fit 4 kids in one?
88. I am a Cub Scout Den leader.
89. I worship the sun. I used to use baby oil mixed with iodine when I was in high school to accelerate my tan.
90. I am clumsy.
91. I don't like making lists about myself.
92. I am obsessed with putting things in containers. My pantry is full of Tupperware and all the kids toys are sorted and put into storage bins.
93. I can't sing.
94. I had a piano teacher when I was around 9 and I hated it, I wish I would have stuck it out.
95. I love to read, I wish I had more time to do it.
96. I do lots of crafts (duh, I know that's kinda obvious, but I thought I'd throw that one in!)
97. I like to bake cookies (unfortunately I like to eat them too)
98. I don't like Spongebob
99. I can't spell.
100. I love you for sticking around until #100 and reading all this crazy stuff about me :)

Winners ~ Fiber One Spa Basket

The 3 winners of the Fiber One Spa Baskets chosen by random.org are

Comment #26 ~ @Valerie2350
Comment #21 ~ @LeslieVeg
Comment #36 ~ @3BoyzMom

Congratulations!!! Please contact me within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Thank you to everyone who entered my contest :) Keep coming back I have lots more goodies to share!

kiru Etsy Shop Twilight Giveaway

In case you haven't heard yet the Twilight DVD is coming out this Saturday March 21st and we are very excited here at the crafty house. You can pick up your copy at Walmart for only $17, we will be there at 12:01 am getting our copy, my 11 year old daughter wouldn't have it any other way!

We have read the books but not seen the movie yet, Saturday we are having a DVD premier party, stop back to see the guest blog post about it written by my daughter.

If you love Twilight as much as we do, you need to check out the kiru Etsy Shop. They have some really unique and creative Twilight items. Here is what Lori has to say about her creative arts:

Danny Kaye once said "Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." Now that's something I can get behind and that's exactly what I'm doing with my crafting. When I'm not making magnets, cell phone charms, mousepads, and many many other items for the world I can be found spending time with my friends and family seeing a show or a band or just hanging out laughing and having fun. When I'm on a solo mission I can be found watching a good movie or reading a good book or making more fun stuff for the world...

Lori has made some really fun Twilight stuff for the world and she has generously donated a great prize pack for me to give away and spread the Twilight excitement!


This prize pack includes a “got Edward?” pen, Twilight Gift Card Notebook (50 pages, Approximately 3 3/8" x 2 1/8"), and a Jacob Cell Phone charm with a pewter apple and pewter wolf charm. How cute is this stuff! My daughter is so bummed that she can't win, I'm gonna have to go buy some great stuff from kiru for her!

Here is how you can win.

Main Entry ~ you must complete both parts and leave a comment for each
1. Subscribe to my blog via reader (panda in upper right sidebar) and tell me if you are for "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" leave your email address or Twitter id in your comment.
2. Visit kiru and let me know your favorite item in the shop.

Bonus Entries ~ leave a separate comment for each entry
1. Put my button on your blog
2. Tweet this giveaway " Win cool Twilight prize pack from kiru Etsy shop http://bit.ly/HJIw "
3. Stumble or Digg this post by using the "share" bar below
4. Follow my blog

PLEASE READ THIS!

US entries only please. Please make sure to leave a valid email address or your Twitter ID in at least one of your comments. I will not hunt you down if you win. If you do not follow the entry requirements as stated above, your entry will be invalid, so please make sure you read the directions carefully :) This contest will end at 11:59 pm EST, Friday, March 27th . The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified via email or Twitter DM. The winner will also be posted on this blog. The winner has 48 hrs from the time of the posting to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.


Good luck!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday ~ Cranberry Granola

Check out more great recipes at Blessed With Grace

Cranberry Granola

1 cup oats
1/2 cup bran flakes
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 cup margarine/butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

~preheat oven to 300 degrees; spray a cookie sheet (with edge) with non stick spray
~in large bowl combine all dry ingredients EXCEPT cranberries/raisins
~combine margarine, honey, vanilla, and brown sugar in small bot over medium heat; stir until well combined
~pour half of the mixture into dry ingredients and stir
~pat into greased cookie sheet
~drizzle remaining sugar mixture over the top
~bake 30 -35 minutes; cool
~put cooled granola in an air tight container and add mix in cranberries/raisins

Enjoy :)

New Munchie Mug Winner

Well my first winner never responded so I pulled another tonight :)

The new winner of the Munchie Mug chosen by random.org is

Comment #24 ~ @kotibeth

Congratulations!!! Please contact me within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Thank you to everyone who entered my contest :) Keep coming back I have lots more goodies to share!