Free Mug from Ink Garden

Here's another good deal to pass along...get a FREE 11 oz. ceramic mug from Ink Garden. Many designs to choose from and you can customize with your own photos, text, logos, or clip art ($8.99 value).

To get your FREE mug:

• Visit Inkgarden.com and click on "Get Yours Now"
• Choose a mug valued at $8.99 or less
• Customize and add to cart
• Use Coupon Code FREEMUG
• You will pay shipping charge

Mugs are microwave safe and dishwasher safe with mild detergent. These make fun holiday gifts so why not get a head start on shopping today!


This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions expressed are my own.

Free 8 x 10 Canvas from Canvas People

Transform your favorite photo to canvas right now with this great deal from Canvas People. Get a free 8 x 10 canvas print (normally $49.99) or $40 off any size. Just pay $14.95 shipping!

It's never too early to start thinking ahead for holiday shopping ideas. Your friends and family would love a cool photo canvas print and this is a great deal!



This post contains an affiliate link. Opinions expressed are my own.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - All Good Things

Against his father's wishes, wealthy heir David Marks marries middle-class Katie McCarthy. When Katie vanishes, some wonder if David is involved, although he is never charged in connection with her disappearance. When the case is reopened, years later, some of those close to David end up dead.

This is one creepy story! I'm not sure how much is fact and how much is speculation, but, this dark mystery is based on actual events. At first, David seems like a tortured individual with an unloving father and a difficult upbringing. And, while that is the case, it soon becomes apparent that he is also a very disturbed man - possibly even a psychopath. Ryan Gosling does an amazing job portraying the off-kilter character; he's downright scary! It's a suspenseful, disturbing movie that never really answers what actually happened to Katie McCarthy Marks.

Rated R for drug use, violence, language, and some sexuality.

Blog Tour - Tea Party Culture War by Stephen Johnston

Welcome to the blog tour for Stephen Johnston's Tea Party Culture War

About the book:
America stands at a crossroads: culturally, economically, and politically. Enter The Tea Party Movement, whose focus is primarily fiscal conservatism, government accountability, and reduced taxation.

Currently, America suffers from a clash of worldviews, but the issue is much deeper than politics; it is ultimately a spiritual battle between good and evil. For the sake of generations to come, we need to win this war. We need to take action to defend our beliefs. We need to take the right road.

Meet the author:

A long-time resident of California, author and economist, Steve Johnston, B.S., J.D., earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University of Law and a Theological degree from Calvary Chapel School of Ministry. Mr. Johnston has over 20 years experience in prison ministry and Bible teaching, and has served as a chaplain in Orange County and Los Angeles jails as well as Pelican Bay, a California maximum security prison.

Mr. Johnston describes his book, The Tea Party Culture War (WinePress, 2011) as a systematic manifesto of the Tea Party Movement. Mr. Johnston and his wife of 38 years divide their time between homes in Palm Desert, California and Brookings, Oregon. They have one adult daughter and one granddaughter.

Buy the book

Check out the book trailer

My thoughts:
If you are looking for a better understanding of how and why the Tea Party Movement came about, then check out this book. It explains opposing worldviews and the culture war that we are facing because of these differing views.

I consider myself one of those people not happy with the direction our country has been heading. Tea Party Culture War, for me, was an educational, eye-opening read that left me feeling a very afraid of what might happen if we don't find a way to restore our country. Regardless of your political beliefs, I think anyone who approaches life from a Christian standpoint could gain something by reading this book.

Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a free copy of this book to facilitate my review. I was not obligated to post a positive review. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own and may differ from others.

Music Mondays 8-27-12

Here's another round of Music Mondays where I'm linking up with Stressed Rach to share some favorite music. Feel free to visit Rach and join in...

Today's song: Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots.

This is one of my all-time top 3 favorite songs ever! Oh, how I loved Scott Weiland back in the day...too bad he became such a drug-addicted mess.

Weekly Links I Liked 8-25-12

I meant to get this post up over the weekend but just didn't get to it. Anyway, here's some good stuff I found on the web last week...


The Etsy shop, Hollywood Pups, has the cutest little dog ID tags. I ordered one for our new puppy, Piper. I'll be sure and post a pic when she's wearing it.

Busy Bliss has a list of 50 Ways to Show Your Husband You Love Him...very sweet and fun.

This mom shows off the awesome lunches she packed for her son's kindergarten and 1st grade school years. Wow - I'm super impressed! They all look so yummy.

My favorite fashion pin of the week...I really must get a navy blazer and I'm crazy about the colored jeans.

rsvp Jeanette black boots at 6pm.com - nice looking and a good deal!

Aloha Friday - Fall TV

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

What TV shows are you excited to see returning this fall?

I'm probably most excited for the return of Sons of Anarchy and Grey's Anatomy.

Blog Tour - The Choice by Robert Whitlow

About the Book:

One young woman. Two very different roads. The choice will change everything.

Even as a pregnant, unwed teen in 1974, Sandy Lincoln wanted to do the right thing. But when an ageless woman approached her in a convenience store with a mysterious prophecy and a warning, doing the right thing became even more unclear. She made the best choice she could . . . and has lived with the consequences.

More than thirty years later, a pregnant teen has come into her life, and Sandy’s long-ago decision has come back to haunt her. The stakes rise quickly, leaving Sandy with split seconds to choose once more. But will her choice decision bring life . . . or death?


Meet the author, Robert Whitlow:

Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.

For more about Robert and his other books, visit www.robertwhitlow.com.

Follow along with the blog tour

My thoughts:
I was drawn into this story right away. At first, I didn't think I was going to like the character of Sandy. But, as her situation progressed and she was forced to grow up and make some life-changing decisions, I started to like and respect her more. It was interesting to be in the story with Sandy, as a pregnant teen, and then to fast-forward some 30 years later and see what kind of woman she had become. She was faced with many tough situations and I definitely found myself wondering how I would've handled them. The Choice is a very moving and powerful story that shows just how strong a mother's love can be.

Win a Nook Color from Robert Whitlow in The Choice Giveaway

Celebrate with Robert by entering to win a Nook Color with GlowLight!

See what folks are saying about The Choice!

One "choice" winner will receive:

• A Nook Color with GlowLight
• A four book Robert Whitlow library (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 27th. Winner will be announced at the "The Choice" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/28. Meet Robert, get a sneak peek of his next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)!



So grab your copy of The Choice and join Robert on the evening of the August 27th for a chance to connect with Robert and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

Disclosure:
As a participant in this blog tour, I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a review. I was not obligated to post a positive review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own and may differ from others.

Music Mondays 8-20-12

I'm joining in with Stressed Rach to participate in Music Mondays. It's a quick and easy carnival where you can link up and share a favorite song. You are invited to click over and join in yourself!

Today, I'm sharing one of my current favorite songs by one of my favorite bands. It's getting alot of play time on my IPod and the video is pretty hilarious -- gotta love a video with David Hasselhoff and a mariachi band in a supermarket! It's 50 Ways To Say Goodbye by Train. Check it out and enjoy!

Rolled Canvas Print Review from Signazon.com

My 16 year old daughter is very creative and a typical teenager. She loves to show off her unique style by decorating her room with lots of unique art in mediums of all types - she has posters, CD covers, drawings, cut-out letters, and more adorning her bedroom walls.

We recently took a photo that she had of her and her BFF and had it made into a rolled canvas print. We used the online custom printing company Signazon.com.

Signazon.com is an online source for all types of custom signs. They offer banners, custom car magnets, window decals, yard signs, business cards, and more. They can produce signs in any size and quantity you need and specialize in 1440 DPI, full-color digital printing and custom designs for no additional charge.

With their rolled canvas prints, you can upload your own image or design and have it made into a beautiful piece of artwork. They use ultra high-resolution, 1440 DPI Full-Color Digital Printing and 10 oz. canvas material with a textured surface. You can also add a gallery wrap option for easy hanging.

When Signazon.com contacted me and offered to let me try out one of their rolled canvas prints I knew that it was the perfect idea for my daughter's room. Here's a picture of her bedroom wall - the Signazon rolled canvas print is the large piece on top of this grouping.

How cute is that! The print of her and her BFF is so fun and we love the textured look of the canvas. It fits right in with her assortment of wall decor. Ordering was quick and easy and accomplished in just a few clicks. Prices vary depending on what size you order and any optional features you choose to add, such as the gallery wrap. Generally, the rolled canvas prints start at around $36 and up. Overall I had a great experience shopping Signazon.com and would recommend their services. One small issue of note - the packaging wasn't super secure and my canvas print was a little wrinkled in one corner when I opened it. But, after hanging it up it was not noticeable at all.

If you are looking for signs of any kind or want to try out one of these rolled canvas prints for yourself, please visit Signazon.com

Signazon.com gave me a free rolled canvas art print for review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own and may differ from others. 

Keeping Cool with Jockey StayCool

Everyone knows what a scorcher it's been this summer and I'm one of those people that just can't stand the heat. There's nothing worse than that sweaty, not-so-fresh feeling that comes with being hot (and I don't mean "hot" in the good & sexy way).

My husband, on the other hand, loves the hot weather. He's a firefighter so he's used to the heat. But, he definitely wants to feel cool and comfortable while he's out there fighting fires or just enjoying the outdoors.

As part of their "Coolest Couples" campaign, Jockey sent us some StayCool underwear samples to try out. Made with technology that was originally developed for NASA, these garments actually help cool the micro-climate surrounding your skin and work to maintain your ideal skin temperature.

Hubby received some Jockey StayCool boxer briefs. They have cuffed leg bindings which are contoured for a more personal fit. I cannot even tell you how soft and light-weight they feel! The hubs loved them and said they were so comfortable to wear. They looked pretty good, too.

For me, I received the Jockey StayCool Bikinis. This was my first experience wearing Jockey underwear and I've got to tell you...I'm a new believer in the product! They did indeed help me feel more cool. But, the thing I loved the most was the fit. The waistband is nice and sturdy while still being extremely comfortable. The underwear stayed in place - there was absolutely no rolling of the waistband (if you ladies are like me, and don't exactly have a flat tummy, you know that rolling I'm talking about. UGH, it's the worst!)

Now that we have discovered Jockey StayCool underwear, we are definitely one of the coolest couples around! To learn more about the Jockey StayCool collection please visit their website.

I received the free Jockey products mentioned above in this post. I was not obligated to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own and may differ from others.

Weekly Links I Liked 8-19-12

Here's a collection of some of the best links I've come across this week while browsing around the web-o-sphere...

*Blogger Wendi Aarons wrote a hilarious post called Enter My Contest To Win! It's poking fun at the hoops you sometimes have to jump through just to enter an online giveaway. It's seriously laugh-out-loud funny!

*My favorite fashion Pin of the week - I'm so ready to start rockin' some fall fashions and this look really caught my eye. I love pairing the animal print with the graphic tee. I'm gonna have to recreate this look for my own wardrobe.

*This Disaster and Safety Library prepared by the American Red Cross is a great resource to check out. It has tools and resources such as checklists, fact sheets and other info to help you prepare for emergencies.

*Here's a free Kindle book I picked up this week called SteamDrunks: 101 Steampunk Cocktails and Mixed Drinks. I'm not a big drinker but this one looks pretty unique and interesting. *Note* at time of this blog post publishing this kindle book is still free but that's subject to change at any time.

*I admit that I am NOT in favor of universal health care of socialized medicine in any form. But, this post, Canadian Universal Health Care - What It's Like, was a very interesting read and let me see things from a different perspective.

Did you come across any really good links this week? Feel free to share your finds in the comments section below.

Unique Vanities Group Event with $40 Amazon Giveaway

I'm excited to be participating in this group event sponsored by Unique Vanities. Check out their site for a great selection of bathroom vanities, sinks, mirrors, and more. Besides their huge selection of products, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, free shipping on orders to the 48 contiguous United States, and contractors/designers on staff to answer your questions.

Mama Papa Barn is pleased to offer this giveaway thanks to our sponsor, UniqueVanities.com.

UniqueVanities.com is a unique e-boutique that prides itself on not only have the largest selection of individual and truly unique bathroom vanities and fixtures, but also the best client experience available on the web. We strive, with each client, to return to the sales process of the "five and dime," where not only did associates know you by name, but they were genuinely interested in helping you find the perfect item for your project--whether you bought from them or not.

 A huge thanks to my co-hosts: 

Mom to Grandma ¤ There's a Contest for That ¤ Mama's Mission

As Mom Sees It ¤ Chant3llo's Blog ¤ The Giveaway Gals

Oh! My Heartsie ¤ Military Wives Saving ¤ Search With Vonnie ¤ Live Laugh Love to Shop



Open to entrants Worldwide! All entries will be verified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from yours. Alas 3 Lads is not responsible for sponsor prize fulfillment.

Hunt's Delicious Dinners Cravebox for Kentucky Residents

Last week marked back-to-school time for my kiddos. It's always nice to get back into a routine, but schooldays can be quite hectic. Between helping the kids with homework and chauffeuring them back and forth to extra-curricular activities, finding time to prepare a decent dinner is often a challenge.

I wanted to let you know about a very cool opportunity available to my fellow Kentucky friends. Hunt's has put together a Delicious Dinners Cravebox featuring a new dinner sauce. This sauce combines ethnic inspired seasonings with the backyard-fresh taste of Hunt's California grown tomatoes. It's perfect for one-skillet meals and more. It is just the short-cut we need to help whip up a great-tasting, quick and easy meal. And, Hunt's is a trusted name when it comes to foods.

If you are a busy Kentucky home-cook like me, you will want to check this out! The Hunt's Delicious Dinners Cravebox will include samples and other items to help you create a home-cooked meal. As a special bonus, TEN of these boxes will contain a $100 VISA Gift Card and ONE box will contain a Grand Prize worth $250. Wouldn't that be a fun surprise!

To be one of the first in the country to try out this new Hunt's Delicious Dinners Cravebox you must be a busy home cook residing in Kentucky AND willing to pay just $10 to cover shipping and handling of the box. I'll be trying it out myself and hope you will join me.

Be sure and visit the sponsor's website for details on how to take advantage of this special offer for the Hunt's Delicious Dinner Cravebox.


This post brought to you by Hunt's and Cravebox. In exchange for helping spread the word about this special offer, I will receive compensation and a Hunt's Delicious Dinners Cravebox. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own and may differ from others.

Find Some Great Deals on Fall Shoes and Boots at 6pm.com

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for cooler weather to arrive so I can start wearing some warm & cozy fall fashions. A staple of any fall wardrobe is a great pair of boots. If you are looking for a new pair of boots or other fall shoes, I recommend you visit 6pm.com. You can find some really amazing deals on name-brand shoes. Because of the deeply discounted prices, sizes and styles may sometimes be limited. If you find something you like, you better grab it!

Check out just a few of my favorites:

Born Carpenter Boots  $85.00 (50% off MSRP $170.00)

Rockport Sasha Bootie $80.00 (50% off MSRP $160.00)

Naturalizer Dacey MaryJane $33.75 (55% off MSRP $75.00)

The Cool People Dazzi Black Boot $90.00 (70% off MSRP $300.00)

Culture Phit Abby Ankle Boot $29.70 (70% off MSRP $99.00)

Check it out for yourself and let me know what deals you find.


This is not a sponsored post. I just happen to like shopping on 6pm.com and wanted to share some of the great deals I found.

21 Easy Things You Can Do To Relieve Stress

Feeling a little down as summer comes to an end? The back-to-school rush got you feeling frazzled? Or, do you just feel like you need a quick infusion of happiness to recharge as you head into fall?

Well, here are 21 easy little things you can do to de-stress...

1) Fly a paper airplane
2) Sing out loud while driving in your car
3) Wink at someone
4) Take 90 seconds to skip around the house with your kids
5) Go tv-free for an entire day
6) Compliment a stranger
7) Eat breakfast for dinner
8) Ask your significant other for a dance
9) Play with a puppy
10) Say "I Love You" to someone
11) Tell a silly joke
12) Paint your nails a bright funky color
13) Start your morning with a prayer
14) Chew some bubble gum and blow giant bubbles
15) Laugh at yourself
16) Eat a hot fudge sundae with lots of sprinkles
17) Meditate
18) Whistle while you work
19) Stop whatever you are doing and take a 20 minute walk
20) Stop whatever you are doing and take a 20 minute nap
21) Go outside at night and gaze at the stars

What other quick and easy things would you add to this list? Please share...

Win a Nook Color from Robert Whitlow in The Choice Giveaway

Later this month, I'll be posting a blog tour of the book, The Choice, by Robert Whitlow. Stay tuned for my review, but for now, I wanted to let you know about this great giveaway going on along with this blog tour...

Celebrate with Robert by entering to win a Nook Color with GlowLight!

See what folks are saying about The Choice!

One "choice" winner will receive:

• A Nook Color with GlowLight
• A four book Robert Whitlow library (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 27th. Winner will be announced at the "The Choice" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/28. Meet Robert, get a sneak peek of his next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)!

So grab your copy of The Choice and join Robert on the evening of the August 27th for a chance to connect with Robert and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

Lincoln - First Look Image

As a big fan of early American history, I'm super excited about this upcoming film!

Later this year, the DreamWorks, Twentieth Century Fox, and Participant Media production film, Lincoln, will be released. Here's a first look image at actor Daniel Day Lewis in the title role.

Image provided by Disney

Lincoln focuses on the last four months of the president's life and all the political steps he took to outlaw slavery as the civil war came to a close. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie will be released in limited areas on November 9 and expanding to more cities November 16.

For more details, visit Lincoln on Facebook.

Quote of the Day

"We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box." 

 ~Robert Fulghum

Meet Our New Puppy, Piper!

Many of you probably remember that we lost our beloved dog, Emma, earlier this year. We miss her so much and always will - she was the best dog we could ever ask for. Having said that, we knew that we would want another pet fairly soon. For the last several weeks, I have been scouring Petfinder and researching various breeds on the internet. It felt like such a big decision and we wanted to find just the right dog to fit into our family.

Last week, we adopted a puppy from our local humane society. She is a blue heeler-beagle mix (we think) and only about 2.5 months old. Her coloring is so pretty and unique.

It took us several hours to agree upon a name. I lobbied hard for "Eleanor" but no one else would go for it. Then, my daughter and I tried to convince the boys that we should name her "Luna" - that failed, too. We finally all decided that "Piper" was a good name and we went with that.

Piper weighs just under 7 lbs - having a tiny dog running around is hard to get used to. Our other dog was around 75 lbs so we are not used to having to watch where we step and keep up with this tiny little creature hanging around our feet. And, it's been awhile since we had a puppy, so the chewy-nippy stuff is something we are dealing with as well.

She's a funny little puppy and we have nicknamed her "Hyper-Piper" - she basically has two modes right now: 1) Sound asleep and calm or 2) Crazy-running around-nipping at our feet- hyper. Blue heelers are cattle dogs and I swear, I think she's already trying to herd us, LOL! It's too soon to know what her personality is going to turn out to be, but, she seems to be happy and content in her new home. Her biggest issue is the chewing - she wants to chew at everything! She does very well in her crate; settles right down with barely any crying or complaining. The potty training is going okay. She has her share of accidents but almost always goes when we take her outside. We are attempting to teach her to ring a bell on our back door when she needs to go out. We did that with our other dog and it worked out great.

My 14 year old son, Connor, seems to be her favorite. One of her favorite things to do is follow him around and cuddle up with him wherever he's at...

She's a real cutie and I'll be sure and keep you posted on how she's doing.