Whitney Farms--Pamper Your Garden!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Spring is in full swing, and if the rain will ever stop here (we have had an unusually wet spring), I look forward to getting out and helping my mom with her garden when I can.  Okay, that sounds kind of strange coming from the "indoor girl," but I do like to help my mom with her garden.  She is the gardener in the house, and I am only a helper.  However, my support is always greatly appreciated, and I have learned a lot over the years about creating beautiful gardens.  I know that organic is key, especially since we have so many animals--dog, cats, and goats.  I also have a daughter, so you can imagine that I don't want any nasty pesticides or anything that is not all natural.  I also know that going "green" is better for the environment and the garden.  And my mom, our resident garden expert, agrees.

organic soil

Whitney Farms is a company that makes 100% natural plant foods and soils.  Their products will ensure that you have a beautiful garden that is completely natural and organic.  This company has over 25 years of gardening experience, and their products are known for being easy to apply and having low to no dust.  You can be glad that they add beneficial microbes but have no manure odor  (that is a big one!). Because of the way in which their protein blends are made, you can rest assured that they provide your plants with all the macro and micronutrients that they need to grow and thrive.   

organic plant food

Okay, so this is not a picture of my garden--we don't have one yet this year.  But this would be the ideal, and I believe that the beautiful colors and plants displayed here are a direct result of organic gardening.  And, of course, Whitney Farms is the ideal organic plant food and soil.  This could be the year for all of us to get the garden we really want.

Whitney Farms wants you to have beautiful gardens this year, too, and just to prove it, they have a $3 coupon so you can try their fantastic products!  I don't know about you, but when a company offers a high dollar coupon like that, it makes me much more likely to try their product.  Just click on the link below (the one that says "Whitney Farms"), and you can download that coupon. 

Whitney Farms®

So, what do you think?  Are you ready to go out and get your garden going?  It is an ideal time to get outside and get your garden going.  And when you do, don't forget Whitney Farms!  Their products will quickly become an essential part of your healthy, organic garden.  Maybe, just for a change, this will be the year when everyone will admire your garden!

 

This Day in History April 30, 1789

I wish this guy were still around.  I definitely think I would vote for him!  On this date in 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as our first president!  He was the only president who was elected unanimously.  That always amazes me.  I didn't realize he was actually inaugurated twice, but this was the first inauguration.

Throughout my historical studies, I am amazed at the wide variety of information out there.  I was taught that Washington was a prideful man, and some will claim that he was not a true follower of God.  They will call him a deist.  I do not know everything about this first president.  Perhaps he had a problem with pride--who doesn't?  I am not here to judge his belief in God.  What I do know is that he was our first president, and he was a fine leader.  We would not be the country we are today had it not been for him.  God put him in place, no matter what you believe.

For more information, check out:
http://hlnfamily.com/blog/?p=469
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration/lesson_washington.html
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/presidents-day/george-washington/facts.html
http://ushistorysite.com/george_washington.php

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Get Your #CoronaRita On with Chili's

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Chili’s Grill & Bar for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

CoronaRita at Chili's

Chili's is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants.  I don't think I have ever had a bad meal there.  It is perfect for a family night out or to celebrate a birthday.  When you go there, you know that you will always have a great time amongst fantastic people and eat unbelievable food!  You can forget the cares of the world and just concentrate on your family and fun for an evening.  If I had a significant other, this would be a top choice for a date night!  Summer is the perfect time for a Chili's meal.  The kids are out of school, and it seems like everyone is thinking about summer vacations.  Maybe you can't afford a vacation this year, but I bet you and your family can enjoy a night out at Chili's as part of a "staycation."  

When I go to Chili's for any occasion, I love ordering the Southwest Eggrolls and a dinner salad.  Okay, so that is not traditional, but it gives me the best of both worlds.  And when you go to Chili's, you know you will have the finest drinks and cocktails on any menu.  And this includes their new CoronaRita which is available now on their menus just in time for summer.  I only ever had my first margarita last summer, and it was out of this world.  Since Chili's does the best foods and drinks, I can only imagine how fantastic their CoronaRitas must be.  And indeed this drink would be the ideal accompaniment to my normal Chili's dinner meal.  I look forward to seeing how their CoronaRitas compare with the margarita I had last summer.  I would expect that since it is coming from Chili's, it would be far superior.

As i have been writing this post, I have really gotten a hankering for Chili's!  I have already eaten dinner, but somehow I think that I would easily make room for something from Chili's.  Maybe a late-night snack or dessert.  Chili's offers such great meals that I don't often have room for dessert.  So if I could convince the rest of my family to get in the car right now and head over to Chili's, I think I would.  

What about you?  What do you like best about Chili's?  Their burgers are awesome, and you can't beat their fries.  I would love to hear what your favorite item is at Chili's.  In addition to this, I would love to know what you think about trying Chili's new CoronaRita.  What most people don't know about me is that I was almost 30 years old before I had my first alcoholic drink, and I honestly only have alcohol on special occasions.  Remember.  You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly.  But, hey, if you meet the criteria, why don't you give Chili's and their CoronaRitas a try?

Cravings The Devotional Blog Tour and Review

Win a Minute-for-Mom Gift Pack!


Enter Today - 4/23-5/12!

Win a Minute-for-Mom gift pack from Carey Bailey!


"When I became a mom I lost my God time," says Carey Bailey. "I couldn't figure out how to fit it in, since everything but that time was a priority. So I made note cards that I set around my house with scriptures written on them. Even when my arms were too full of babies, laundry, and diapers to pick up a Bible, I could easily read God's words of encouragement that I was starving for"






And Cravings--The Devotional was born. Celebrate with Carey by entering her Minute-for-Mom Giveaway!

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• $50 gift card to Erin Condren Shop (Your one-stop-shop for all things awesome!)
• $50 gift card to Victoria's Secret® (For something pretty.)
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• 2 Sets of Cravings - The Devotional (For you and a friend.)
• Scentsy Plug In and 2 Bars (A lovely scent for your space.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/12/12. The winner will be announced 5/14/12 on Carey’s blog!






Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Carey's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

So what do I think of it?  It is an absolutely beautiful little devotional that is as visually appealing as it is practical for the busy mother of today.

Cravings is a collection of card-size devotionals based on the Psalms. They are written to help mothers develop their relationship with God in the midst of motherhood.

Each card contains a scripture for the day, a “thoughtlet,” and an action idea. As moms crave the sweet morsels from God’s Word, they can draw a card from a delectable Cravings holder—a pink cupcake!—that also displays the daily card for hands-free viewing. Versatile enough to fit with any feminine décor in a dining nook, a prayer closet, a kitchen--wherever you‘d want Scripture at your fingertips. If you find you need Cravings around the home, just one may not be enough!

Cravings can be a mom’s daily devotional, a supplement to her regular quiet time, or even doubled up during the day. The set of 40 cards offers over a month’s worth of Cravings in whatever way serves the spiritual needs of individual moms.

Purchase Cravings here.

I love the fact that you pull out a little devotional for the day and display it just like a picture.  It is absolutely darling!  And the devotionals all include a Scripture and something simple and practical to go with the verse.  With my schedule, I am always looking for ways to save time as a mom.  I often forget to do my devotions on a regular basis.  And what a nice way to remember!  After all, what mom does not like cupcakes?  I have mine displayed in my bedroom, but I would love for it to be in the kitchen.  Maybe I will when I get through and clean things up.

To follow the entire tour, click here.

About the Author:

Carey Bailey is a recovering perfectionist, wife, proud mama and Family Life director for her church in Surprise, Ariz. On the side she loves party planning, crafting, and pursuing her dream of writing. She has a degree in religion from Westminster College and writes at her blog. 

This Day in History April 29, 1992

How well I remember, and how many memories come flooding back with today's feature.  It was on this date in 1992 that riots broke out in L.A. after four police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King.  Yes, the Rodney King riots.  It was not until May 2 that this rioting ended with the help of the National Guard, the military, and the police force.  At the end of the riots, here were the statistics:

• Over 51 people killed
• 2383 people arrested
• over 700 businesses burned
• estimated $1 billion property damages

Now, I do not want to talk about the riots.  I'll leave some links that you can check out.  I want to talk to about how this incident personally affected me.  You see, there were riots all over the country, including Washington state.  I was in my senior year of high school at this time. I had landed my first ever role in a play.  I had worked so hard and given up so much for that.  And I was getting to be in it with the guy I liked at the time.  No, there were no romantic scenes, but I was still in it with him.  It was a murder mystery, and I was the secretary in love with her boss who was supposedly killed (but really was not).  The guy I liked was the detective.  We were scheduled to open on Friday night (this was the evening of the riots).  I got the phone call that said it had been cancelled due to the riots.  I was absolutely horrified!  I had worked so hard, and now no play!  I was scheduled to go on opening night.  The other girl playing the part was to go on Saturday.  

Saturday arrived, and we were to go ahead with the play.  I am grateful to Uzuri Hilliard (I probably misspelled her name, but I have never forgotten her) for letting me go on during our new opening night of Saturday.  I messed up a lot, I admit.  I forgot lines.  I know that having the Friday off unexpectedly got me out of the rhythm of the show.  I would never have messed up like otherwise.  But no one really knew.

For more information on the riots, check out:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/0423/Rodney-King-riots-anniversary-Have-race-relations-in-Los-Angeles-improved

http://www.npr.org/2012/04/23/150985823/rodney-king-comes-to-grips-with-the-riot-within

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_King

http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aaw/rodney-king-riot-1992

Cruising for Giveaways Hop (4/29)--Charisma Media

Do You Like Winning? Welcome to Cruising for Giveaways Hop! This hop is brought to you by Charisma Media Network!