Hallmark Countdown to Christmas Giveaway

 I've told you before that I am a Christmas addict. I have enough Christmas decorations to decorate at least four or five trees and that doesn't include all the tchotchkes and stuff that doesn't go on the tree.

As much as I love all the decorations and shopping, for me at least, the best part of Christmas has always been the anticipation. I think waiting and longing is perhaps the best part of Christmas. When Grandad and I got married, I discovered that his family actually opens their presents on Christmas Eve. I was appalled! I immediately set him straight and we've always opened our gifts on Christmas morning.

Over the years we've used various methods of counting down to Christmas. We've had advent calendars where you lift the flap and read a verse every day, tiny boxes with candy treats for each day, and an advent wreath with candles to light before dinner every night and a short devotional to help understand the true meaning of the approaching holiday.

This is the advent calendar that I sewed from a pre-printed fabric when the kids were little. Every year on December 1st, it replaced the curtain on our back door. Nick and Katy would take turns moving the little bear all over the house as he "looked for Christmas." After Nick left for college I decided not to put it up one year. It was the first thing Nick looked for when he got home that year. I had to dig it out of the closet and put it in place immediately. It now hangs in the entry way of Nick and Marie's home in Houston.

This year for Thanksgiving, our family met in Houston at Nick's house. This is the year that neither of our children will be home for Christmas, so we thought it was important to get together at Thanksgiving. And, we planned a Friday trip to the Texas Renaissance Festival in Magnolia. Unfortunately Nick had to stay on an oil rig and we only got to see him for a few minutes on Saturday night.

Perhaps the toughest part of holidays once your kids grow up and get married is that you have to share them with their in-laws. This year, Nick and Marie will travel to El Paso for Christmas with Marie's family. Katy and Travis (and Our Little Princesses) will spend Christmas with Travis' family. In the years when we don't see them for Christmas, I think it's even more important to try to help build the excitement for the little ones. This year, Hallmark is helping do that. As they were leaving for the drive home on Saturday evening after Thanksgiving, we gave each of Our Princesses a Hallmark Interactive Greeting Card that has a countdown clock.

Princess E also received a "My Wish List" card so she can record her list to send to Santa. The girls are enjoying checking every day to see how many more days until Santa comes.

You may remember that I made the girls their very own advent calendar a couple of years ago. It's made of little magnetized spice canisters that hold candy treats and Christmas prizes. They love it, but it's not something they can hold and carry around with them. These cards are more tangible for them. They each have their own card and they can take it wherever they want. That's especially fun for Our Littlest Princess. You know how little ones want to hold and carry things are they toddle around.

It's not too late for you to get in on the Countdown to Christmas. Hallmark will give one of Grams' readers a holiday greeting pack which includes:

• An Interactive Recordable Greeting
• An Interactive Countdown Greeting
• An assortment of additional boxed and Signature Collection greetings

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. The giveaway will close at midnight CST on Sunday, December 9, 2012.

 





*Disclosure: Hallmark provided me with a holiday greeting card pack to review and one for this giveaway. The review and comments are all mine.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

Green Giant Seasoned Steamers Giveaway

If you're a regular reader at Grams Made It you may remember that I didn't actually learn to cook until I quit working full time about six years ago. I learned the basics in 7th grade home economics class. But, as for putting a meal on the table, I just never had to do it.

When I did finally take over the cooking, I learned that the subtropical climate in South Texas makes it difficult to keep fresh produce. With only two of us to cook for, produce often spoils before I use it, or I have to stop at the grocery store every couple of days to get whatever vegetables I plan to cook.

The best way I've found for avoiding those extra trips to the grocery store is to use frozen vegetables. So when My Blog Spark offered me an opportunity to review Green Giant Seasoned Steamers, I jumped at the chance to try them for free.

Seasoned Steamers come in six interesting varieties.

My local grocery store did not have all of the varieties in stock. But, since I was making chili and cornbread for dinner, I chose Honey Roasted Sweet Corn. It was the perfect complement to our dinner.

Green Giant Seasoned Steamers cook in minutes right in the bag in your microwave oven. You can have delicious, nutritious vegetables in just minutes. The corn was tender crisp and perfectly seasoned with peppers and a touch of honey. It was so good, I might even try the Brussels Sprouts.

For more information, including nutritional information, visit the Green Giant web site.

Green Giant and My Blog Spark have teamed up to offer one of my readers the gift pack shown here. The winner will receive an apron, bowl, slotted spoon, and a coupon for the package of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers of your choice.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling me which of the six varieties of Seasoned Steamers you would like to try.  This giveaway will close at midnight CST on Wednesday, November 28.

Everyone can download a coupon for $1.00 off of one package of Seasoned Steamers.

Disclosure: I received a gift pack identical to the one shown above and a coupon for a package of Green Giant Seasoned Steamers in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

Back to School Book Review & Giveaway

Grams has gone back to school this week. It's the second week of school here in South Texas and I've substituted four days in a row. That means I'm behind on everything. My laundry is not done. In fact, I'm down to wearing that underwear that I don't like to wear. (Admit it, you know you have some.) I had hoped to launch my Etsy store this weekend, but it's going to be a few more days because I haven't sewn a stitch this week. In the meantime, I've got a treat for you. 

Once again, Grams is teaming with Scholastic Press to review a new book and bring a giveaway to my readers. Meet Bailey by Harry Bliss, the dog who goes back to school.

About the Book (from the publisher)

Meet Bailey, a dog who surprises and charms his fellow human classmates with his irrepressible antics.

Follow Bailey the dog as he gets ready and goes to school. Should he wear the red or blue collar? Both are so fashionable! Will he be late? That squirrel is a distraction! And what about Bailey's homework? Would you believe he ate it? That is what dogs do, after all.

In this funny new book from the best-selling children's illustrator Harry Bliss, school proves to be an unexpected place for Bailey to do all sorts of things he loves: reading, fetching, painting, digging, singing — and making friends!

Grams Review

Harry Bliss, cartoonist and cover artist for New Yorker magazine, has written a fun and beautifully illustrated book for primary school aged children (ages 4-8). It covers the basics of going back to school; everything from the importance of  good grooming and punctuality to remembering to have fun and make friends with your classmates.

I love that Bailey uses "the dog ate my homework" excuse and his school day ends with reading time. And I love that Bailey loves books. He loves reading them as well as eating them. You'll find that Bailey's day ends, pretty much like it starts, with Bailey running for the bus.

I haven't shared this book with Our Little Princess yet, but I'll be seeing her next weekend and you can be assured we'll be reading Bailey. We'll be at her Uncle Nick's house. Coincidentally, Uncle Nick has a dog named Bailey and I think she'll really get a kick out of reading a book about a dog named Bailey. 

Giveaway

Scholastic Press will give three lucky readers a copy of the new book Bailey by Harry Bliss. Entry is simple. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post before Midnight (Central Time) on Thursday, September 8, 2011.  Make sure your entry includes either an email address or a link to your blog so I can notify you if you win.

Disclosure

Grams received a copy of Bailey in exchange for writing and posting this review. Scholastic is also furnishing the three copies which will be given away to my readers.

You can buy the book at The Scholastic Store.

Winner! Winner!

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner! LaRue Across America!

Congratulations to Connie of I Started Out As A Child and to Elisabeth who are both winners of their very own copies of LaRue Across America.

Connie, I left instructions in a comment on your latest blog post. Elisabeth, your instructions have been emailed. 

Thanks to everyone who participated in Grams' first ever giveaway.

The family menfolk are headed to the hunting lease for a weekend of manly men things. 

Building fences is a manly activity

Another manly activity

Turkey hunting is manly too.

Grandad and his brothers, Gary & Danny

 I'm off to San Antonio for a girls weekend with my daughter, my sister, and Our Little Princess. There is sure to be at least one Tea Party and lots of giggling.

Bylinda, Our Little Princess & Katy

Our Little Princess

 Whatever your plans for the weekend, I hope it's filled with people you love and things you enjoy.