LoveMy2Dogs

To Cheese or Not to Cheese - National Cheese Lover's Day

2012-01-20T11:58:00.000-05:00

Today is National Cheese Lover's Day and it should be a great day for me because I do love me some good cheese.

One of my everyday favorites is Extra Sharp Cheddar. I am not a fan of just plain ole cheddar but oh that extra sharp is oh so yummy!!! You may think this is odd but I will sit down with some extra sharp cheese, Lays regular potato chips and ketchup and snack away. I am not a sweet eater but I love some cheese. lol

Now if you want to jump up the line a little in price, I love Fromage D'Affinois! It is an imported cheese from France. It is so creamy and mild, and it spread just like butter. You want to let it sit out and get to room temperature before you eat it.

Fromage d’Affinois (froh-maj dah-FEEN-wah)is a rich cow’s milk cheese from the Alps in France. Unlike most earthy bries, it boasts an even creamier texture and a more buttery flavor, and lacks the mushroomy characteristic. Fromage d'Affinois tastes like a triple-cream cheese, though the fat content technically makes it a double-cream. Enjoy Fromage d'Affinoise with Champagne or fruity reds.

Another one of my all time favorites is Rembrandt, an aged Gouda and is imported from the Netherlands.

Rembrandt is clearly named after the famous Dutch painter Rembrant van Rijn. This Gouda cheese is aged over 1 year and has a very nice rich, deep hearty flavor, not overly sharp, with a touch of tanginess. Rembrandt has a firm texture, but melts easily.

The cheese can be sliced for your sandwiches, and will do fantastic in pairing with many full bodied red wines.

To me this is a very dry cheese along the lines of parmisean and it has little specks of crispies in it. It is definitely an either you like it or you don't cheese.

I love to sit down with the Fromage d'Affinois and Rembrandt cheese with some pears and some of the 34º Cracked Pepper Crispbread and munch away. Oh, and a you must have a delicious glass of wine to drink with it.

Now, I never said that this was a cheap snack, but it is something to sit and enjoy with friends, or Aunts. This has become something that I always pick up when I go visit my Aunt near Washington DC. They have the best store in Old Town Alexandria called Balducci's that I absolutely love to visit and pick these cheeses up. I could spend lot's of time in that store looking at all the delicious foods.

So what kinds of cheese do you all like to indulge in??

Images and information on the cheeses/crisps came from their respective websites, which are tagged by clicking on the pictures.

#Win $500 Black Forest Gummies Sweepstakes

2012-01-17T16:04:00.001-05:00

Here is what you could win:

Grand Prize
• One (1) Grand Prize Superfan will be randomly selected to receive a $500
Cash Prize.

LEVEL PRIZES
Level 2
• One Thousand (1,000) Superfans will receive a limited edition Black Forest
Gummies Wristband. (Limited Supply. The first 1,000 people to enter Level 2 and “claim”
will receive the wristbands. Will be shipped, please allow up to 3 weeks from the end of the
campaign.)
• All Other Level 2 Participants will receive an additional sweepstakes entry
automatically.
Level 3
• All Level 3 Participants will receive an additional sweepstakes entry.
Level 4
• All Level 3 Participants will receive 5 additional sweepstakes entries.
Level 5
• Sixty (60) Superfans will receive $10 iTunes Gift Card Code. (Limited Supply.
The First Sixty (60) people to enter Level 2 and “claim” will receive the gift cards. They will be
emailed, please allow up to 2 weeks from the end of the campaign.)
• All Other Level 5 participants will receive an additional sweepstakes
Entries
Daily SuperFan Prize
• Each day of the campaign one randomly selected SuperFan will be chosen to
win a Black Forest Gummy Variety Pack. So are you ready to enter?? Click the above picture to enter. Complete and Official Rules

Bee$avy by Saving Money & Earning Money All at the Same Time!!

2012-01-16T16:26:00.000-05:00

I came across a really neat site that you can save money and earn money at the same time. What could be better than that right? Now, I am new to this but I follow some bloggers that must be in on this because they are hosting giveaways sponsored by Bee$avy. I would love to get in on that too.

I have looked at Bee$avy a little bit and since we am looking to buy our daughter a Tablet pretty soon, I was able to do a search for this at hundreds of different stores, showing their prices. That was awesome. I did go to some of the stores actual sites to see how accurate the prices were and they were pretty darn good.

And for those of you coupon clippers, they have coupons also that you can use towards purchases at tons of different stores. The coupons vary from free shipping to BOGO and whatever you can imagine. There are hundreds of stores and hundreds of coupons. Plus there is bonus of using the coupons, you get a cash back on your Bee$avy account. What a super deal!!

Ooo, this is a great one, you can buy your gift cards at Restaurant.com PLUS get a cash back award through Bee$avy. That is like a double savings!! WooHoo!!

Signing up is FREE!! So sign up and check it out and look at everything that is there. I was completely amazed.

If you really want to start comparing prices before you buy PLUS earning cash back click HERE to hop on over to Bee$avy and get started!!

A Giveaway for Diabetics

2012-01-16T12:29:00.001-05:00

I have an Aunt who is a diabetic and has recently had some issues with it after having some shots in her back for her arthritis. The shots sent her diabetes into an all out war against her unfortunately meaning that she has decided against taking the shots in her back to help with her hip and back pain so when I saw that a blogger friend, Crazed Mind, had posted a link to this giveaway on her facebook I decided to hop over and enter to win one for myself that if I were to win, I could pass on to my Aunt.

I decided I would also share it with you all so that I would get that extra entry in the giveaway, so here it is:

Hop on over to Recipe Lion to enter to win one for yourself or one that you could give to someone who could use it, like I am if I win.
Click here to enter!!

And while you are over at Recipe Lion, you should really check out some of there awesome recipes. I found some tator-tot casseroles that look easy and delicious. Well, I am going back over there to check out some more great recipes!

#BlazingHot GIVEAWAY - Win a Kindle Fire from DailyScoup

2012-01-14T18:29:00.000-05:00

DailyScoup's Blazing Hot Giveaway - WIN a Kindle Fire!!!

Daily Scoup

is hosting an exciting contest just for us, for one of

the hottest items on the market- the Kindle Fire! Their DailyScoup's Blazing Hot Giveaway - WIN a Kindle Fire Contest is designed to help you monetize your blog and give you a chance to enter for two amazing prizes!

Daily Scoup

is a brand new site for daily and local deals! They offer services to

merchants for FREE so they always have the better deals than

competitors, and best of all- they have an affiliate program that pays

50% on a 60 day cookie! There is huge income potential there!!

Here is how it works!

ONE Kindle Fire will be awarded to the person with the most REFERRALS

$100 CASH (via Paypal) winner will be drawn at random from the Rafflecopter form below!

To enter- join the DailyScoup.com affiliate program

Then fill out the Rafflecopter form HERE!

Best of All

You can earn a TON of extra entries for promoting the contest!!! For every blogger that signs up and names YOU as a referral, you get 5 extra entries on the Rafflecopter!

Ready Set Go!! And mare sure you say that Tammy Graham from LoveMy2Dogs sent you!!!

DISCLOSURE

2012-01-14T15:14:00.001-05:00

This policy is valid from 14 January 2012

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Tammy Graham at jrandtam@columbus.rr.com.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

A Rafflecopter iPad2 & Kindle Fire Giveaway -- Ends 2/9 at 12:01am EST

2012-01-09T11:26:00.000-05:00

Rafflecopter is having a Launch Party and boy are they ever! And here is your chance to win either an iPad2 or one of two Kindle Fires! I would love to win either one, how about you? So get to entering!!

This giveaway is open for the US and Canadian residents and will close February 9th at 12:01 a.m. EST.

Kindle Fire Giveaway plus more - Ends Dec 31st

2011-12-30T18:12:00.000-05:00

Author Monica Leonelle is sponsoring a Kindle Fire giveaway over at Sweeptight. She is giving away more than just a Kindle Fire but you will have to hop over to Sweeptight to see what all she is giving away.

She is having this giveaway because of the release of her new book Silver Smoke which you can get at Amazon.com right now for $0.99 What a bargain!! I know I bought mine for my Kindle Keyboard. The books has great reviews and is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars with 18 out of 23 reviewer giving it 5 stars and the other 4 giving it 4 stars. I have never read a book about the supernatural before but what the heck right?

So head on over to

and enter by clicking

HERE!!!!!

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman -- Book Review

2011-12-03T16:52:00.001-05:00

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press; Original edition (October 2010)
Author: Vannetta Chapman

Book Description:

Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.

My Thoughts:

After finally waiting until the Christmas season to read this book I am disappointed that I waited so long to read it. I absolutely loved the whole storyline. I love the fact that Annie came home when she was needed most. I love the fact that she spent her rumschpringe learning to do something that she loved and that would help the community.

With the loss that Samuel is feeling and his love for his helping the community, and the anger that he had built up inside him, I was glad to see that he could overcome it and work through it all.

This is such a wonderfully written story and I wish there were a second book. Heck maybe there is and I just don't know about it. I guess when I am done with this I better go check it out.

I was not paid in anyway for this review. As a matter of a fact, I purchased this book for my Kindle from Amazon.com for a special price of $2.39 back in December 2010.

I Want A Moring Do Over!!

2011-11-18T10:29:00.000-05:00

OMG!!

It is only 9:45am and I have had enough of this day already! At 1:07am I got up to go sleep on the couch because I could no longer sleep laying down because of this coughing crap. And yep, I have a Doctor's appointment on Monday. And while I was on the couch sleeping at about 4 o'clock I started battling a flea. Yep, I said it, a flippin' flea! Under my shirt!

Here is where I must back up and say that we had purchased the WalMart flea stuff that they have been advertising that is as good as Frontline and used it for the three months. Well, that won't happen again! This yesterday I went, well Rissa, went to the Vet's and got the good flea stuff....I think. Instead of giving the dogs the liquid you put on their backs they gave them the pill because we don't have to worry about tick this time of year. Well, I have come to the assumption that, that little pill must make them all jump off the dogs and on to me and not kill them. Now, we were only one day late putting it on the dogs so I know that WalMart crap does not work.

Well anyway back to the damn flea. He must have loved my Vick's VapoRub because I fought and fought the stupid thing for about two hours. Heck it could have been a bunch of them because I got up a few times and shook my shirt out and brushed my self off and still was feeling the stupid thing. Did I say I now hate WalMart?

After I finally must have beaten the flea, and Jr gets up for work and tells me he is leaving I get back to sleep and her comes Rissa yelling at me, "Where are the box fans?" For crying out loud, I am sleeping! There are two places they could be, either in the spare room or in the basement. Did she look? Obviously not because she was yelling at me, "Where are they?" Of course I gave here the two choices and off she stomps telling me that the dryer is broken and all her clothes are wet. Just wonderful!

Now, at this point I am awake and coughing my butt off and I still have two hours before I have to get up and can't get back to sleep because of the coughing. Ugg! So finally I just give up and get up. I go out and sure enough, the dryer does absolutely nothing! I check the breaker and nothing. Now Jr (Mr. Fix It) is at his sister moving some stuff that needed moved and has not heard this yet.

So I figure I better get the floor vacuumed before the kiddos get here and I get the sweeper out and the belt needs changed because, well I won't go there but you can't set the sweeper on the lowest setting and then let it suck the throw rugs up in it and not expect it to burn the belt up. So, I get the new belt out and start taking the Kirby apart and the darned ole levers that allow you to take the metal plate off the bottom of sweeper that covers the beater bar won't budge. Not one little bit. I beat them and beat them and finally they move enough that I can get that off and swap belts and start sweeping.

At this point, dear hubby (Mr. Fix It) comes in and says, "I guess I should have went jeans shopping last night!" and turns around and he had ripped out the butt of his jeans. I just don't understand why they can't reinforce those things where they sew the top corners of the pockets on. So I tell him about the dryer. lol That made his day......not really. Then he leaves to go unload the stuff that he was supposed to be moving for his sister.

So, I decided to finish sweeping the floor. Not sure why, but I did. (Ah, dear hubby is back) As I am sweeping my bedroom, the darn sweeper catches a string from the fringe of a blanket on the bench and I didn't notice it at first because I am walking backwards out of the bedroom pulling the sweeper and that's when I notice all the clean clothes that was on the bench is now in the floor with the blanket. Ugg!

Seriously, can I just go get some more Vick's VapoRub and go back to bed? Opps, I just heard the first four letter word from Jr, as he is working on the dryer. Yikes! Oooo, there went another one :(

THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING MY FREEDOM!

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Image by Barbara_Wyckoff

Giveaways that I am NOT missing!!

2011-11-10T17:02:00.000-05:00

Mama to 4 Blessings has some great giveaways going on right now, and here are the ones that I am getting in on.

Veggie Tales

Little Drummer Boy DVD

O Holy Night CD

Strawberry Shortcake

Bright Lights Big Dreams DVD

My First Disney Princess Baby Doll

The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman ~ Book Review

2011-11-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

Title: The Wonder of Your Love (Land of Canaan Series Book 2)

Author: Beth Wiseman

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publish Date: Oct 4,2011


Buy		Read

Book Description

Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado.

Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten about her as well. Is it really God's plan for her to be a single parent?

Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He's enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.

When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun

But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God's plans

Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God's love?

My thoughts:

First off I have to sadly admit that I missed reading the first book in this series, Seek Me With All Your Heart. But with even having missed the first book, I truly loved the second book and feel as if I didn't really miss anything.

With Katie Ann being a new mother and a new widow it brings a lot of sadness to her life and a lot of hard times but she has one very close Englisher that helps her in any way that she can. Martha is such a wonderful person for the way that she helps Katie Ann and also for the way that she helps Danielle out.

Katie Ann meets Eli, who comes to Colorado for a visit and just can't seem to let him into her world for fear that he will leave her like her husband did before he was killed in a car accident. She is the about the same age as Eli but she is just now raising her first child and he has raised all his children and working on grandchildren.

Well, I don't want to give anything away but I do want to say that this is another great book by Beth Wiseman and I hope there is another book in this series because I am wanting to know more about Katie Ann, Eli, Martha and Danielle.

Images and excerpt are from BookSneeze.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book for my Kindle from BookSneeze. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

Prairie Winter by Bonnie Geisert ~ Book Review

2011-10-25T11:05:00.000-04:00

Title: Prairie Winter

Author: Bonnie Geisert

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publish Date: 11-16-2009

About the book:

The Cresbard school means a lot to sixth grader Rachel Johnson. It means classes with a beloved teacher, important band rehearsals for the upcoming concert in Chicago, and time to hang out with Winnie and Darren and the rest of the town kids. For a twelve year-old living on a remote prairie farm with no phone, school means connection. And that connection is about to be severed. The most dangerous winter that Rachel has ever known is about to descend on Cresbard, marooning her on the farm and keeping her from the school she so desperately loves.

Then, in a surprising turn of events, Rachel’s dad agrees to fly his three oldest daughters to town so they can continue the school year. Rachel will be boarding in a hotel with no parents, no rules, and no chores. Her choice of desserts every night, two-stepping with Darren Baxter at the school dance . . .will Rachel ever be able to return to farm life after this?

My thoughts:

Even though this a book for children, I thought it was a great book. It really gave some perspective of what children in those times went through. Kids these days would not know what to do if they had to live their lives remotely like that. I really made me stop and think I good I even have it. I would recommend this for adults too, not just children.

Images and excerpt are from NetGalley.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book for my Kindle from NetGalley. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter ~ Book Review

2011-10-25T10:46:00.001-04:00

Title: The Healing, Kentucky Brothers Book 2

Author: Wanda E Brunstetter

Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc

Publish Date: 9-1-2011

About the book:

Now a New York Times and USA Bestseller! Seek a fresh start with Amish widower Samuel Fisher as he journeys from Lancaster County to Bluegrass Country, hoping to find a balm for the grief he’s carried with him. Will this single father, burdened by yesterday’s memories, discover a new and perhaps better life in Kentucky, the land of tomorrow? Esther Beiler, who helps watch Samuel’s children, develops a crush on Samuel and a true affection for his kids. Can she win his heart, or has she already lost it to an English woman? How will God untangle star-crossed lovers when jealousies and misconceptions threaten to tear them apart?

My thoughts:

This is the second book in this series and I just could not get enough of it. My heart was breaking for Samuel Fisher and his children and what they were going through without their wife and mother. It was nice to read that the children were taking to Ester like she was taking to them. This is a story of heartache and love. I am seriously hoping that their is a third book in this series because I am still wanting more. Definitely a 5 star and I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Images and excerpt are from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book for my Kindle from NetGalley. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

Step 2 Gather & Grille Playhouse giveaway ends Oct 25.

2011-10-24T13:15:00.001-04:00

You can enter to win this Step2 Gather and Grille Playhouse

over at

Shining 2 Save by clicking HERE!

My Grandma

2011-10-04T09:08:00.000-04:00

MyGrandma was one of the most honest people you will ever meet, sometimesbrutally honest. If she liked what you were wearing, she would let you know. Ifshe didn’t like what you were wearing, she’d let you know. But she would alwayssay, “If we all liked the same things, we would all be in a world of hurt.”

Together with Grandpa, like two peasin a pod, they loved to attend the Grandkids and Great Grandkids sportingevents. I personally think their favorite was to go watch Rick and Adam whenthe played baseball and basketball. And I know that every chance that theycould, they would be at that bowling alley watching Adam, Maurissa, Taylor andAbbie when they bowled on Saturday and then when the three older ones got intoHigh School bowling there were there as much as possible to cheer them on aswell. Heck, they loved bowling so much that they would even go down and watchJodi and I bowl and sit up at the counter and split their order of chickenstrips and French fries because Grandma said that Grandpa didn’t need to eat awhole order. I believe that my Grandpaand Grandma attended more sporting events together than other grandparentscould ever dream of attending.

I sit back and remember spendingnights at Grandpa and Grandma’s house and Grandma was one to always read booksto us and color. Oh, how Grandma loved to color. She would sit and color withus for hours and always give us pointers on how to make our picture come alive.

Oh, and how together they love toplay cards with anyone who would sit down and play. For years and years andyears they played cards at least one night a week with three other couples, ifnot more, rotating houses that they played in. And you never interfered withcard night. Grandma would always be so proud when the women would beat the men,but Grandpa would always say “We have to let them win once in a while.”

Not only did they love to play cardsbut they love to play all kinds of games with us Grandkids. I can rememberthem, Mark, Mathew and I playing Go Fish, Crazy 8’s and then when we got olderwe played dominoes, Rack-o, Uno, and Tri-ominoes. Even after Jr and I weremarried we would go up and play games with them when we visited.

Grandma also loved her beauty shop.Heck, I loved it to. As kids, Mark, Mathew and I would go out and use the dryerchairs as race cars because the levers to lift the feet made great gear shifts.Grandma would always call us out there to show us off to her clients who wereolder ladies which we thought was neat. One day I got this brilliant idea thatI wanted Grandma to give me a perm like she did her clients, with short hard toperm gray hair. Well, she did and it would have been perfect if it weren’t themid 80’s because I looked like Lionel Richie from the early 70’s.

Another thing that Grandma loved todo was feed the wild birds and sit and watch them. Of course she fussed at thechipmunks and squirrels for getting intothe food but she loved her birds. She always kept the feeders full and wasproud of the different birds it would attract. When us Grandkids were growingup she taught us the names of all the birds that visited her feeders and Icarry on that same tradition thanks to her.

Grandma had two favorite sayingsthat us Grandkids just loved. One was “Ah horse feathers!!!” And it neverfailed that one of us Grandkids would have the comeback of “Oh Grandma, horsesdon’t have feathers!” And her other favorite saying was “Oh shit, Roger!!”

Grandma was also a wonderful cookand I am sure that everyone will always remember her apple salad, potato saladand cheesy potatoes with everyone fighting to claim those perfectly crispyburnt edges.

Grandma, there will never be anotherlike you! I will forever miss you and always love you!

It's that time of year again for.......HEAD LICE!

2011-09-21T12:56:00.000-04:00

I am not a bug person at all and just the mention of head lice gives me the heebee jeebee's. I have been scratching my head ever since dear hubby came home from driving the school bus one day couple weeks ago and then on Monday one of the daycare Mommies informs me "The girls have head lice." Oh, how I hate those dreaded words. So then last night I was dreaming of head lice. Eww! As I am typing I am itching not just on my head but all over. lol

Luckily I had washed all the blankets and pillows over the weekend so that was already taken care of and put away after naps on Friday. So I began the other clean up in the daycare room and I have all that done. I just wanted to post a little information that I found on the Center of Disease Control website today.

As you can see, the eggs and the adult lice are not very big and can be hard to see and find. Trust me it is no fun having to search through a child's hair for hours everyday until you no longer find any. I had to do that years ago and I decided then that I did not wish that on my worst enemy.

Head lice are not known to transmit disease; however, secondary bacterial infection of the skin resulting from scratching can occur with any lice infestation.

Getting head lice is not related to cleanliness of the person or his or her environment.

Head lice are mainly spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person. The most common way to get head lice is by head-to-head contact with a person who already has head lice. Such contact can be common among children during play at:

school,
home, and
elsewhere (e.g., sports activities, playgrounds, camp, and slumber parties).

Uncommonly, transmission may occur by:

wearing clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons worn by an infested person;
using infested combs, brushes or towels; or
lying on a bed, couch, pillow, carpet, or stuffed animal that has recently been in contact with an infested person.

You can call your Doctor and get a prescription shampoo for this or you can buy the over the counter stuff, which I find to be quite expensive. To read more on the treatment you can do so over at the Center of Disease Control.

Now, I am off to comb my hair once again with the nit comb and praying it still comes out clean.

We Will NEVER Forget!

2011-09-11T21:34:00.005-04:00

Courtesy of Martin J Betters

We Remember Like It Was Yesterday!

2011-09-11T08:55:00.004-04:00

Contributed by Forrest Gladden

When Do You Put The Flag At Half Staff?

2011-09-10T00:17:00.001-04:00

I don't know about all of you but I have always wanted to know the answer to this because I have a flag out in my front yard. Well I was searching for some images to use for the 9/11 tribute and came across a handy widget for my blog. Can you see it up there in the upper right hand corner? It will put that flag at half staff on the days that it should be. Also you can sign up for emails telling you the days to lower your flag and you can print off a calendar of half staff days.

Half-Staff
We provide an email alert service of when to fly your American flag at half mast.

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
Days the American flag should be flown at half-staff:

May 15th – Peace Officers Memorial Day
Last Monday in May - Memorial Day (half-staff until noon only, then raise to the top of the staff)
July 27th – Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
September 11th – Patriot Day
December 7th – Pearl Harbor Day

By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of the State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.

In the event of the death of other officials of foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to presidential instructions of orders, or in accordance with recognized customs practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff.

Flags flown on poles affixed to a home or building are not to be flown at half staff but a memorial streamer can be affixed to the top of the flagpole to signify half staff.

Now, hopefully with all this I don't miss any more half staff days.

Now, here is something that is a pet peeve of mine. If you can't hang the flag correctly, then don't hang it. So here is some info on how to hang it:

General Flag Display

It is the universal custom to display the American flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

1. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the American flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. No other flag or pennant should be placed above, or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea...for personnel of the Navy...when the church pennant may be flown above the flag.

No person shall display the flag of the United Nations of any other national of international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory of possession thereof; provided, that nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a positions of equal prominence of honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.

This information was obtained from The American Flag and Flagpole Co.

Book Review ~ What a Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller

2011-08-29T18:23:00.000-04:00


Buy		Read

Title: What a Heart SeesAuthor: Kathleen FullerPublisher: Thomas NelsonPub Date: 3/8/2011

Excerpt

Together for the first time, three Amish romances from Kathleen Fuller.

"A Miracle for Miriam" from An Amish Christmas

Miriam fell for Seth, but he broke her heart. Years later, after he’s nearly killed in an accident, Miriam sees him at a Christmas party and notices something is different about him—not just how he looks, but how he acts. When Seth pursues her, she must decide whether to guard her heart or accept his love.

"A Place of His Own" from An Amish Gathering

When Josiah left Paradise the first time, he didn't even say good-bye. Now he's back, ten years later, and he's changed. Why is he so distant and bitter? Where is the boy who used to be Amanda's best friend? Amanda is learning that there are things even a capable Amish girl can't fix. But can she stand there and watch him walk away...again?

"What the Heart Sees" from An Amish Love

A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender's future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.

My thoughts

"A Miracle for Miriam" ~ Miriam had been in love with Seth for as long as she could remember. Along with remembering how much she was in love with Seth she remembered how he crushed her heart in front of everyone when they were younger. Now that they are adults in the community and have came in contact with each other again she has to fight to keep those feelings for Seth down inside her because she is afraid that he will once again crush her heart.

This is a great short story but I found myself wanting the story to continue so I could find out how their lives turned out.

"A Place of His Own" from An Amish Gathering ~ Amanda lost her best friend, Josiah, when she was growing up and had no idea why he had moved away. Then, one day he comes back into her life for her only to find out that he is leaving again. When they were growing up he was her best friend and she thought that she knew everything about him but boy was she surprised. Both Amanda and Josiah had a lot to deal with in this story but I found enjoyed it very much.

"What the Heart Sees" from An Amish Love ~ Ellie Chupp was in an accident with two other Amish friends and the result was that she had lost her sight. Luckily she was not the one to lose their life but there was so much for her to deal with since the accident. When she lost John she felt like she would never get married and have the family that she always dreamed of.

Then their was Christopher Miller who left the Amish faith because of the accident because he could not bring it to himself to forgive the person who caused the accident which caused the death of his fiance, Caroline. He had dreamed that they would have such a great life full of children and that was taken away from him and because he could not forgive he was shunned by the community. After five long years he decided that he truly missed the Amish faith and his family but when he returned to his family he was thrown a few more surprises that made forgiveness even harder.

I would really like to read more about all three of these stories. This is my first Kathleen Fuller book and I am looking forward to reading more.

You can purchase this book at:

Amazon.com for $10.19

ChristianBooks.com for $8.99

ThomasNelsom.com for $14.99

Images and excerpt are from NetGalley and ThomasNelsom.com.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book for my Kindle from NetGalley. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

Book Review ~ Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long

2011-08-25T13:29:00.002-04:00


Buy		Read

Title: Lilly's Wedding Quilt

Sub Title: A Patch of Heaven Series #2

Author: Kelly Long

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pub Date: 3/29/2011

Excerpt

Handsome, headstrong Jacob offers Lilly his hand in marriage, but his heart belongs to someone else.

While Lilly Lapp has loved Jacob for years, she wouldn't compete with Sarah King, the woman Jacob was determined to marry. But when Sarah marries another, Jacob spontaneously agrees to wed Lilly.

Lilly divides her time between teaching the local Amish children and caring for her widowed mother who suffers from depression. Lilly's faith comforts her, but her heart still longs to be the sole object of Jacob's affection

As the days slip by, Lilly decides that hoping is too risky and vows to protect her heart. But God is subtly as work, and as winter turns to spring, their hearts awaken.

The furthest thing from Lilly's mind is her Amish wedding quilt, a traditional gift for new brides. And the person she'd least suspect is the one making it. Like stray pieces of fabric quilted into a new design, Jacob and Lilly's marriage begins to bind them together in ways neither expected

My thoughts

With Lilly Lapp being in love with Jacob, who has had his eyes and heart sat on Sarah King for as long as he can remember is hard for Lilly. But it is even harder for Jacob when it is time for Sarah to marry. This is when Jacob gets himself into some trouble and this is also the time when he and Lilly start their friendship.

Their quick words and not so smart thinking gets them into a bit of a bind as they unexpectedly announce their engagement to cover up Jacob's overnight disappearance. In order to keep every thing on the up and up they go through with the wedding even though Lilly knows in her heart that Jacob is still in love with Sarah.

I love how their friendship blossoms and how their love kindles in this book. I have never read a book by Kelly Long before and I am hoping that their is another book in this series.

I definitely give this book 5 stars!!

You can buy this book at:

Amazon.com for $10.12

ChristianBooks.com for $8.99

ThomasNelsom.com for $14.99

Images and excerpt are from NetGalley and ThomasNelsom.com.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book for my Kindle from NetGalley. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

Calling for some blogger help!

2011-08-24T12:49:00.000-04:00

My blogger friend from over at Mom Caboodle is trying to win a trip to Disney World for her family and can really use some bloggy help. She is in need of some daily votes to get on up there into 1st place and keep her there.

This is the picture that she has entered, isn't it quite creative? See Cha Cha down there? What a cute frog! And I hate frogs!! lol

Cha Cha Down Under on a hunt for the fierce Red Tailed Shark

Voting is easy, click on the above picture and it will take you to the site where you can just click on the green vote now button. It's easy peasy!!

And don't forget to vote DAILY!!

Book Review ~ Vanish in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

2011-08-23T15:57:00.000-04:00

Title: Vanish in Plain Sight

Author: Marta Perry

Publisher: Harlequin

Pub Date: 5/31/2011

Excerpt

A young mother VANISHES in plain sight...

Since she was a little girl, Marisa Angelo has been haunted by the image of her mother walking away, suitcase in hand, to return to her Amish roots.

Marisa and her “Englischer” father never saw or heard from her again. Now Marisa has received a shocking call from police. Her mother’s bloodstained suitcase was found hidden inside the wall of an Amish farmhouse.

Desperate for answers, Marisa heads to Lancaster County. But no one—not the police or Marisa’s tight-lipped Amish relatives—can explain what happened to her mother.

Only one man is as determined as Marisa to unravel the mystery— Link Morgan, the handsome ex-military loner who found the suitcase in the house he inherited from his uncle. Because both Link’s and Marisa’s family members are implicated in the decades-old disappearance.

The secret lies somewhere in the quaint Amish settlements. But someone will do anything to ensure the truth remains hidden forever.

My thoughts

At first let me say that I was a little afraid to read this because it is published by Harlequin and when I was younger I used to read some books from Harlequin and it seemed they were all the same with different names and places. Well, I learned a great lesson from this book, Harlequin is not what it used to be.

Now, I love books about the Amish so that is what prompted me to get this book to review and I am glad that I did because I couldn't put it down. It wasn't as much about the Amish as I thought but it did have an Amish background but it really didn't matter because it was a great book anyway.

Marisa Angelo had quite a life growing up without her mother and having to deal with the fact that she believed that she left her and her father and that she did not want her. That is a lot for a child to deal with. I do have to admit that this story didn't really go where I expected it to go but that is good because then I don't think the book would have been quite as great!!

Make sure you visit Marta Perry's website here!

You can purchase this book from:

Amazon.com for $7.99

eHarlequin for $6.39

Images and excerpt are from NetGalley.

I was not paid for this review, I did however receive a copy of the book for my Kindle from NetGalley. The opinions of this book are mine and mine alone.

Win a FREE sofa at Fobango!!

2011-08-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

Who wouldn't want to win this FREE sofa? I know I would love to have it.

Well, now here is your chance to win one. Over at Fobango (love the name) they are giving one away. Fobango is new and they are trying to build their community so they are doing so by giving this couch away. Hop over and check it out!

Click here to enter for your chance to win!

I did not receive anything to do this post. The picture is from Fobango.com

About KLOUT and FREE perks!

2011-08-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

Are you a part of KLOUT?

What is KLOUT you ask?

Klout measures influence online

Our friendships and professional connections have moved online, making influence measurable for the first time in history. When you recommend, share, and create content you impact others. Your Klout Score measures that influence on a scale of 1 to 100.

You have Klout in the topics you care about

Klout finds influencers in everything from barbecue to tech gadgets to gardening. Uncover your influence and find people who share your interests.

Understand and Leverage your Klout

Klout is more than a number. Understand your impact on others and use your Klout to make your life better. Your Klout earns you Perks from great brands in the areas you care about. It can help you land a sweet job and show you "get it."

The Standard for Influence

When we're measuring your influence there’s no room for error. We have a killer team of scientists and engineers working everyday to ensure continued accuracy and make the Score clear and actionable. We hold ourselves to a high standard and we hope you will too. Learn about how we Score.

I have not been a member of KLOUT for very long and I have received a years worth of Secret Clinical Strength deodorant, $50 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods and $10 to TheClymb.

Sign up for KLOUT here!!

I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company. The above information about KLOUT is from KLOUT.com http://klout.com/corp/about

KINDLE Giveaway

2011-08-16T15:40:00.001-04:00

I have a Kindle and absolutely love it. I am constantly reading books on it all the time and the great thing about a Kindle is that you can get FREE books everywhere so I very seldom have to buy one unless I am looking for a specific title or author.

So here is a great chance for you to win yourself a KINDLE. Author Suzanne Woods Fisher and her publisher Revell books have teamed up to giveaway one. And with the Kindle goes the book Amish Values for Your Family and signed Bill Coleman original. Bill Coleman is the photographer who takes the pictures for Suzanne's books.

Click the Suzanne's button below to go to Suzanne Woods Fisher's blog to enter the giveaway.

If you use Twitter, you can enter HERE!

Pictures are from Amazon.com and Suzanne Woods Fisher blog.

Microwave & two $30 gift cards #Giveaway (Rafflecopter)

2011-08-16T10:28:00.000-04:00

M2Cmart is having Round 2 of their Microwave giveaway and it's going on now. Do you remember me talking about M2Cmart? This is where I won my microwave from, which I love!

They are giving away a Galanz 0.9 cu.ft. 900W Countertop Microwave Oven with Digital LED Display and two $30 gift cards and guess what?? It's a rafflecopter giveaway! :)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

over at M2Cmart.com's Official blog.

Now what has me ticked off! (Monday Mayhem)

2011-08-14T21:53:00.000-04:00

Today they are asking us to share what we are ticked off about. What a great way to vent!

1. What made ticked off the most yesterday? Nothing comes to mind.

2. What ticks you off about your local mail service? They won't bring it to my door. lol

3. What ticks you off about the opposite sex? They think women are dumb.

4. What ticks you off about eating out? It costs to much money.

5. What ticks you off about the internet? It's too slow sometimes!

6. What famous person really ticks you off? I am drawing a blank.

7. What ticks you off about people on the road? Idiot drivers who pull out in front of you then drive 10 mph under the speed limit or drive 500 ft then turn.

8. Name something about politicians that ticks you off. They all lie.

9. Tell us about a story you have recently heard that really ticked you off. Drawing another blank!

10. Are you feeling less ticked off now? No, not at all.

You can play along too over at Monday Mayhem by clicking here!!

I've got a winner!!

2011-08-13T19:17:00.002-04:00

The winner of the OUT! One Handed Poop Scoop is:

25. 409cope said...: Out pet care carries Moisture Lock Training Pads. cardshark42(at)xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; August 11, 2011 10:27 AM

I have emailed you and you have 48 hours to respond to that email before I have to draw a new winner.

A GIVEAWAY you don't want to miss!!!

2011-08-13T12:01:00.000-04:00

You can win $500 towards a Bounce House of your choice from Bounce Houses Now over at Two of a Kind Working on a Full House.

Here are a couple Bounce Houses I would have a hard time choosing between if I were to win.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER NOW

GIVEAWAY ENDS AUGUST 15TH AT 11:59 EST.