OLD BAY celebrates 70th with New Twists on Classic Recipes Perfect for Summer

I recently received this great gift pack compliments of Old Bay. Having been born & raised in Baltimore, and just 15 minutes north of Hunt Valley, MD (Old Bay's home), Old Bay is my favorite spice! I use it on chicken, scrambled eggs, corn on the cob, broccoli, french fries, popcorn, and of course hard-shelled crabs.

Old Bay is spicing things up by introducing new twists on classic dishes that offer great new ways to enjoy the bold seasoning. To check out some of these new recipes just click on this link. You can also become a fan of Old Bay on facebook....where they send out new recipes all the time& I think is how they found me to send me this fun gift pack.

I was given this gift pack as part of Old Bay's 70th anniversary celebration. The set included, great new recipes, a duffle bag (which we are using for sand toys), Old Bay beach towel, seafood steamers (which I have yet to try but can't wait), and a new can of Old Bay. So awesome!

Would you like this gift pack for yourself!? Old Bay has generously offered to send one lucky reader this same set. Leave a comment below (with your email) and tell me how you use your Old Bay? The contest will end next Friday (8/7) at 10 pm, ET.

Goodluck!


(If you look closely, you can see our duffle bag behind Anna. The bottom of the bag is netted so the sand falls out).

Did you know?....

Have you stopped by Chesapeake Ribbons lately? If not, than you might not know they have started selling dog collars...Yeah!! Their selection is just starting, so if you have a style and color you've always been wanting for your pooch, than just email Chesapeake Ribbons to get started on designing your own dog collar. They welcome custom orders!


And while we're talking about Chesapeake Ribbons (Classic handmade ribbon accessories for your entire crabby clan...with a cause), they have also added several new adult-sized ribbon belts and children's ribbon belts. So be sure to go over and take a look...

And here's an exclusive offer for our readers:

$5 off all order $25 or more! Just enter this code 'special5' during checkout. Can be used mutiple times as well!

Keep Chesapeake Ribbons in mind next time you need to purchase a birthday or baby shower gift. Even coordinate your wedding party with their belts and/or hairbows. Give your little crab a 'Back to school' gift this fall and put a smile on his/her face.

Happy Shopping!

NEW Giveaway

Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories

Did you know that over the past seven years, Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories has given away more than 35 million children's books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated nearly $3 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families?

In addition to encouraging children to read, Cheerios is looking for anyone interested in writing children's books.

Now in its third year, the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest is a way to encourage previously unpublished, up-and-coming children's book authors and to continue to nurture a love of reading. Entries are being accepted March 16 through July 15, 2009 and will be judged on appropriate story and content for children ages 3-8, emotional connection, writing quality, uniqueness, and read-aloud potential. More details on the contest can be found at www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com.

Shellie Braeuner, the first year's winner, won for her book "The Great Dog Wash". This nanny from Nashville won a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing. Simon & Schuster offered Shellie a book deal - and will publish her book, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, in hardcover this summer. In addition, Cheerios will be featuring "The Great Dog Wash" free inside 1.5 million boxes of Cheerios. The book has been specially printed in paperback in both English and Spanish and will be available free inside boxes of Cheerios this spring.

Cheerios is also announcing the winners of the second New Author Contest:
Lori Degman, of Vernon Hills, Ill., won the top prize for her story, "1 Zany Zoo." In addition to winning a $5,000 cash prize from Cheerios, Degman earned the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Simon & Schuster has since offered Degman a book deal; her book is expected to be released in 2010, initially in paperback distributed inside Cheerios boxes, and later in hardcover sold in the market.


Now for the giveaway....Cheerios is sending someone one of these cute book sets to a lucky winner! If you are interested in entering this giveaway, leave a comment below answering this question for me:

What is your favorite children's book?

Contest ends this Sunday, July 12th at 10 pm, ET. Please be sure to include your email address in the comment so I may forward it to myblogspark, the blogging network that is hosting this awesome giveaway.

Teresa's Tuesday Tip

Are you looking for a new beach bag to carry all those toys? Or maybe an activity to keep the kiddos occupied in the car while driving to your vacation destination? Look no more....Teresa over at weeBgreen has discovered these awesome Kidzsacks!

These bags are made and distributed on the east coast, specifically Massachusetts. They are made from 100% recycled fabric & the straps are made of natural fiber too! Kidzsack is a great, fun on-the-go bag that your kids can take with them, color on, and stash their toys, sports stuff or whatever in. The 8 included washable markers are non-toxic. And they're available in 4 different designs - castle, jungle, sports and sea life.

Not only will these make great bags for your kiddos like I've mentioned, but Kidzsacks also make fun, affordable, & unique birthday gifts!

Margie's monday mommy confession

As you can see from my photos, I have 2 children with extremely fair and sensitive skin so it is VERY important that I sunscreen them beyond the call of duty. I have to confess...there are times that I skip applying sunblock because I think, "oh it's later in the day and we won't be outside too long..."

Well today I am vowing to no longer take this approach! In an effort to protect my kids as best I can, I have done a little research. I came across this article "How Safe and Effective Are Sunscreens?" so I thought I would share....the findings are a little scary.

Here is an excerpt from the article listing the sunscreens NOT recommended:

Coppertone NutraShield, Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 30
Huggies Little Swimmers Sunscreen, Moisturizing Blue Melon Splash
Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas: Complete Block Spray, SPF 26
CVS Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30