January 2013 ~ JamericanSpice

Wednesday

Grandpa Has The Toys Boys Like

1:06 AM Blog hop , family , My kids 16 comments

We went to visit the in laws in November for Thanksgiving. It was a nice visit. I spent most of the time cooking or being a room hermit.

Oh did I mention there was no internet and that is why I spent so much time cooking! Well not really. There was internet but only in one room and it was not wi-fi :) So we all had to take turns using the computer. It was quite interesting.

But I would have cooked no matter what. I wouldn't allow, nor could I just sit back and watch my MIL do all the work. There is something about the men in our family, it seems they know only how to go to work and come home and sit about waiting to be fed and taken care of. They do help with things to be fixed but a regular chore will not be done by them. For the sake of love, I will have to change that mindset of future generation. i.e my kids/sons.

So of course the women are always going full speed ahead trying to get everything done and ready for the family.

The kids had a great time with cousins long since unseen or met. They played outside mostly and went on little adventures. I was glad for them.

They even got to hung out with grandpa. And Grandpa Has The Toys Boys Like :)

For more Wordless/Wordful Wednesdays check out Judy's Thoughts and 5 minutes for moms, and Parenting by Dummies and Go Graham Go and Stacy Uncorked.

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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8 Tips to Save on Dining Out

1:01 AM Finance and Savings , Island Kitchen , relationships 26 comments

We 'rarely' eat out. We just do not have the money to do so. However if you do and need some help in wondering if you can continue. Here are 8 Tips to Save on Dining Out!

Residents and visitors of New York and Los Angeles are currently enjoying Restaurant Week; the annual event when high-end restaurants open their doors to people of all incomes with specials on prix fixe menu items. If you're lucky enough to be in these cities during the festivities, you can enjoy the crème de la crème of cuisine without the typical price tag.

But what about the rest of us? Living in other parts of the country can leave you feeling a little left out of the gourmet experience. Happily, there are many ways to save on dining, whether it's at your favorite diner or the best restaurant in town. Read on for tips to enjoy a tasty evening without overindulging your financial appetite.

1. Tune Your Radar
Since celebrity chefs congregate in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, you may assume Restaurant Week is only available in those locations. Wrong! If you live in or near cities such as Denver, Chicago, Charleston, Ann Arbor and San Diego, you have access to great food for less, too. A quick Google search should educate you on the timeframe and participating restaurants in your area.

2. Get Rewarded for Research
By now you know to never enter a new restaurant without first reading reviews. Sites like Yelp.com dominate restaurant review resources, but sometimes you can also find a voucher for additional savings. This is especially true for new restaurants hoping to build a customer base.

3. Facebook It
Social media enables you to get personalized recommendations from people you trust the most -- your family and friends! Before trying a new restaurant or selecting one in your city, ask friends for advice. You may discover a new favorite spot or know to avoid an overhyped establishment.

4. Use Tech to Save
FourSquare is a popular app for restaurant deals, but be sure to broaden your technological horizons for extra savings. The Coupon Sherpa mobile app has coupons to popular chain restaurants, while BiteHunter aggregates local restaurant deals by cuisine and/or location.

5. Fill Up During Happy Hour
Happy hour is a great opportunity to try a new place you've been curious about, or afford a high-end restaurant you wouldn't otherwise try. Drinks and appetizers often fill you up before the main course anyway, leaving the rest of the evening to take in a movie or hit up your favorite ice-cream joint for dessert.

6. Get Free Meals for Kids
Dining as a twosome can be expensive; add in a child or two and you're looking at a hefty dinner check. Thankfully, most chain restaurants offer free meals for kids under a certain age on particular days. Consult this list for the when and where, and schedule your family date night accordingly.

7. Share for Savings
The easiest way to cut down on your dining bill is to order only one appetizer, entree and dessert. You can enjoy a three or four-course meal on the cheap by splitting it with your dining partner. Thanks to enormous portion sizes, you'll leave the restaurant with a slimmer waistline and heavier pockets.

8. Don't Forget Daily Deals
While you may be suffering from daily deal fatigue, sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial are still great resources for trying new restaurants for less. Typically, new companies partner with daily-deal sites to drive traffic and build a customer base. That means drink and appetizer specials, 50-percent off entrees and more big savings.

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC's Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

For all media inquiries, please contact Andrea Woroch at 970-672-6085 or email andrea@andreaworoch.com.

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Tuesday

Top Ten Inspirational Quotes to Keep you Going!

1:34 AM Deo Volente , relationships 24 comments

Sometimes a quote just hits my spot and help me through my day.

Here are some quotes to help you begin full speed ahead into your new resolutions.

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman

2.

3.

“Faith is why I'm here today and faith is why I believe I can achieve something in my life.”

― Jonathan Anthony Burkett, Neglected But Undefeated "The Life Of A Boy Who Never Knew A Mother's Love"

4.

5.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis

6.

7.
Live in such a way that if anyone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it

8.

9
LAUGH! Please laugh. Just laugh. Find something to make you laugh. I promise, it will change how you feel.

10

Remember these will happen when we love ourselves enough to be strong enough to make choices that are good for us, our families and our country.

P.U.S.H
Pray until something happens.

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure

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Monday

Keurig Vue V700 + V - Cups - Brewed the Way You Like It!

7:01 PM giveaways , Island Kitchen 14 comments

Yes you are seeing doubles! This is the 2nd of the two Keurig Vue V700 Event that we have going on. If you missed the last one, then now is your second chance to win the Keurig Vue!

Do you like the coffee? Maybe you want to gift a friend or family member? Come enter and share and bookmark for daily entries! Good luck to you :)

Seeing Double! Keurig Vue V700 Event

Hosted by Mom To Bed by 8 and Donna’s Deals and More

Brew with a Vue. Keurig has done it again with an entirely new brewing system that gives you more of the tasty beverages you love, exactly the way you want them. Now, you can decide how strong you want your coffee to taste and how hot, no matter how big or small your cup is! From creamy hot chocolate to delicious iced teas and frothy cafe beverages, the Keurig Vue V700 delivers the size, strength, and consistency you love, with every single-serving.

Still deliciously simple. At just the touch of a button, Keurig's revolutionary Custom Brew Technology adjusts water pressure, timing, and airflow to deliver the perfect cup of coffee or tea every time. You'll love the Vue's quiet operation and shortened steep time, as it whips up cafe-quality treats in a matter of minutes. Plus, there's no grinding beans, measuring, or cleanup needed--just add water and enjoy.

Countertop coffee shop. With the Keurig Vue system, you get the single-serve brewer with interactive touchscreen display, 66 Vue packs and a water filtration kit. And, for your convenience, it comes with two 16-oz iced coffee tumblers to get you started right out of the box.

Well, if that isn't the pot calling the Keurig fabulous!

Includes Keurig V700 Vue Brewer, 10 Variety Vue packs, 12 travel-sized Breakfast Vue packs, 12 Vue House Blend Vue packs, 16 Donut Shop Vue packs, 16 Celestial Iced Tea Vue packs, two 16-oz tumblers, and a water filter kit
Variety pack includes one each of Gloria Jean Hazelnut Coffee, Timothy's Decaf, Tully's French Roast, Celestial Seasoning Southern Sweet Tea, Green Mountain Breakfast Blend travel-sized, Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime, Barista Prima Italian Roast, Cafe Escape Milk Chocolate, GMC Nantucket Blend, and Donut Shop
Tumblers: plastic/acrylic construction
Colored touchscreen user interface
Eight brew sizes: 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz, and 18 oz
74-oz water reservoir
Brew coffee from 187F to 197F
Strength selection for stronger flavor
Removable drip tray with adjustable plate
Vue packs are #5 recyclable plastic

One winner will receive a Keurig Vue V700 + V-Cups!

Giveaway ends February 7th at 11:59pm, open to US & Canada, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Special thank you to our co-hosts: Penny Auctions Canada, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two, Simply Sherryl, The Dragyn's Lair, Spend With Pennies, Sparkles and a Stove, Freebie Spot, The Frugal Batavian, Cherished Handmade Treasures, Just Davey and Me, My Four Littles and Funny Postpartum Lady!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. JamericanSpice is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact Mom Powered Media with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balance the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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For King & Country Baby Boy Earth Song - 4Ms

3:06 AM Blog hop , Deo Volente , music 21 comments

Let's sing it out loud!
I heard a man singing in the grocery store the other day and I felt such delight! I heard that happy people love to sing out loud. It was awesome!

Hallelujah!
I know I know I know. Christmas is all over, but I had these all saved up ahead and scheculed so I'm still sharing along with the theme.

Anyway Theme: January 28th chosen by our Spotlight Dancer Naila-Moon Music based on the 4 Elements. Loose interpretation is ok but has to do something with Wind, Water, Fire or Earth.

For King & Country Baby Boy Earth Song

Welcome to today's music. I hope Monday find you with a smile and music to begin your week with light steps.

I'm always coming to visit everyone on the linky so don't worry if I'm a bit late!

Don't forget to visit the spotlight dancer in the #1 spot. Soon it might be your turn.

Thank you for visiting and I'll visit you soon!

Hosts:

Colette @JamericanSpice

Marie @XmasDolly

Stacy @Stacy Uncorked

and

Cathy Kennedy

Honorary Co-host:

Steps:

1. Visit YouTube (or other) and get your music for the theme of the week

2. Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button (above)

3. Add your post to the linky - follow the hosts and grab our buttons. Leave a note so we can follow you back

4. Visit each other and leave a comment or whatever you want to do to let them know you were there. See if they have the same music style as you. Enjoy the music!

You can also join Denise @

Sunday

I Wasn't Done Praying!

2:47 AM Deo Volente , My Life , relationships 10 comments

The husband ticked me off today. Well he did and then he left so I didn't get to lash out. I admit I might have lashed out if I had met up with him. I didn't.

Short version:
He said, "let's go".

I told him I was going to brush my teeth and wash my face and change my clothes. Why on earth would he think I would want to go out in public looking like a run over rat?

*Shakes head*

So I go to get ready and of course add a touch of lipgloss and a dab of foundation. He comes knocking, getting irritated that I wasn't yet ready to go.

Then left! YES HE LEFT!

But we were going to the vehicle inspection place to change our tags etc, so I knew where it was and oooh I was going to meet him!

Turns out the place was closed.
I drove home. I thought I should keep him spiked in my heart and secretly resent him. The other wolf says, "only you hurt when you do that sorta thing Colette".
"Why not just let it go? Forgive him".

Y'all know those two wolves right?

"NO! I can't." I screamed to myself. "Okay I'll pray so God will help me forgive him and let it go".

Then he came home as I was uttering the first war words to God.
I lashed. (Maybe if he was silent, I wouldn't have, but he actually dared to speak to me)

I was not done praying!

So when he showed up, it was the wrong time! Sarcasm came a dripping and I'm sure it was tinged with major disrespect.

He wanted us to go to another place. Off we went. Ooh I was still burning up! After all, he interrupted my plea for help with forgiving him.

I usually use music to calm me down. I think it was a good thing we were in different vehicles. Very good thing.

After the vehicle inspection. I was calm.
During the inspections, I had taken the time to pray and re-focus. I figure, why make him feel that I'm still angry. I am praying. I will forgive this and store it away and move on.

He asked me if I was okay? I asked him why would I not be okay?

We chatted a bit:
Then I explained that he was rude in how he behaved. I also explained to him, that it is a good thing to have a wife who will put herself together before going out in public or would he rather feel odd walking beside me?

I explained the need for women to have warning ahead of time before an outing and that we do need time to look our best.

He said he thought it was rude of me to keep him waiting.

I also explained to him that he came home in the middle of my praying and asking God to help me forgive him and that is why I lashed out.
He said, "I forgive you."
We laughed. Shook hands and went our separate ways.

I felt free. It is good to forgive. I also felt that if anything should happen (God forbid), we had parted ways in love and not hostility.

I promise, I'm not always like that. I'm usually one to blow up and then give the silent treatment for quite a long time. But doing that doesn't change him or me.
I want to change me.
I will with God's help.

Y'all many Christians are not just hypocrites, we are just on a journey and we still battle the wolves inside us.

So send a prayer. Heal a friend.

Do you struggle with forgiveness?
Do you give the silent treatment to someone who hurt or irritate you?

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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Saturday

HD Nook Slate + Island Hop Linky

1:59 PM giveaways , Island Hop 2 comments

That time again for some weekend fun! Share yours and enter some if you like!

My name is Colette and I'm hosting the hop and hope you will participate and share with your friends and blog buddies

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Lollipop Moon - Trendy Apparel For The One You Love!

1:01 PM Fashion and Beauty , giveaways 56 comments

I have a girl and a boy. I admit if I could afford it, they'd have beautiful clothes and accessories to their desire but not in excess to waste. I tend to have high dress standards, and lollipop Moon would have been perfect for me. I love their trendy apparel for children!

You can't help but want to do more than window shop when you are visiting Lollipop Moon.

They have such beautiful designs, eye-catching colors and adorable accessories!

If you want a very nice gift then do visit Lollipop Moon - Trendy Apparel For The One You Love!

Welcome to Lollipop Moon – your ultimate source of designer baby clothes! Lollipop Moon was developed with fashionable families in mind. We want to provide your child with stylish clothes for every special step of the way. This is why we sell everything from baby gifts, to new born baby clothes, to special birthday dresses. Your little one deserves to look his best in baby clothes and kids clothes, no matter what day it is!

We offer specialty items for mom and baby too, such as designer diaper bags, Mud Pie Baby Clothes, and Giggle Moon designer baby clothes. Whether you are looking for the perfect baby gift for an upcoming shower or want to adorn your little cutie in designer baby clothes, we have it all. You will not find our adorable and fashionable items in just any store. We offer luxury items and top quality baby clothes from chic designers.

Lollipop Moon will make you feel like a kid in a candy store! From New York and LA to Paris and Hong Kong, Lollipop Moon is making its mark as THE shopping experience for trendy fashions! Taste the fun and fashion at Lollipop Moon today!

Lollipop Moon is giving away 2x $25 gift certificate to Lollipop Moon! Be excited and enter below in the rafflecopter from to win!

Connect With Lollipop Moon
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Giveaway ends Feb 28 12am - US & CA
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Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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Lovendar iPhone App - Improve Your Romantic Relationship!

10:46 AM Holidays and Special Events , relationships 1 comment

We fall in love. We commit our life to another until death or other unforeseen circumstances. We ride the two year high and then come crashing down as roommates, wondering what happened or what is happening.

No one told us we'd come back to earth and even if they did, we did not have ears for them to listen to such things.

Well whether you are still happily in love, have landed back on earth or pushing milestones in marriage, we all need some ideas to help us keep the romance alive.

One of these ideas is the Lovendar Iphone App - Improve Your Romantic Relationship!

The Lovendar app is designed for two people to capture and share their wishes and turn them into each other's actions.

Tired of guessing what your partner want? Lovendar helps you take the guesswork out of love. Its a gilt-free place to ask for what makes you happy from a foot massage to a romantic dinner in the woods. One rule makes it work: If its on Lovendar, its important to you. Many couples use it to plan romantic dates, and even capture the cute things their kids say.

Ladies love it because they can capture what's important to them and communicate it to their partner effectively. Men love it because it helps them stay on track, making their wives happy and feeling productive and appreciated. The first app I check every morning is Lovendar, to see what can I do today to be the best partner I can be. And if more couples would develop this healthy habit (instead of checking their facebook or twitter feeds), in the matter of days a great relationship would literally transform into something incredibly special.

With a clean, intuitive design, Lovendar is simple to use and customize to your unique relationship. Use it to:

- Create a wish list of gifts you actually want, with pictures and directions where to buy
- Build a list of your favorite restaurants, foods and wines, with pictures, notes, and locations
- Chart your favorite movies together, and the ones you want to watch
- Store your ideas for great date nights, with pictures, directions and details
- Plan vacations, weekend getaways that have special romantic meaning to you
- Create a bucket list of your life’s greatest dreams and goals – or a hot list of things to do together this week
- Build plans and delight with the things your partner wants most

You can try this app for yourself for free with the winning promotional codes for you and your significant other, or you can purchase the app from iTunes.

The Lovendar iPhone App will also be free on Valentine's Day.

Check out this recent article on Lovendar to learn more.

GIVEAWAY:
5 WINNERS: Two codes each to try Lovendar iPhone App.

Four ways to enter on the rafflecopter form:
Answer either of these questions for an entry and you can retweet for an extra entry.
Have you seen this app before?

What do you do to keep the romance alive in your relationship?

Connect
Lovendar Website - Take the Guesswork out of Love

BUY
iTunes Store

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Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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Friday

Endless - Book Four in the King Series - Cover Reveal

12:47 AM books 4 comments

I love an interesting book cover. It pulls you in to want to see the title and the synopsis! This is why it's fun to be apart of this cover reveal!

ENDLESS, The King Series Book 4, will be released at the end of this month! Just to get you ready, here's the official cover release!

This beautiful design is courtesy of the incredibly talented Christine Powell Gomez. Enjoy. . .and get ready for the final chapter in Tasmyn and Michael's story! After the tumult of her high school senior year, all is right in Tasmyn Vaughan's world. She's at Perriman College with her boyfriend, Michael. Marica and Rafe are in the past, and she's learning to control her powers. But when she is thrown into yet another battle, this time a deadly fight against forces of evil she didn't even know existed, her extraordinary gifts--along with an endless love--may be the only weapons that can guarantee her happily ever after.

Don't miss the first three books of The King Series: Read FEARLESS (only 99 cents right now!) BREATHLESS RESTLESS Follow Tawdra on Facebook and Twitter