Banquet Says, "Thanks A Million"

Growing up, it was a special treat to occasionally pull out the TV trays and eat dinner in front of the television. This was usually reserved for nights when the adults were too busy to cook, but we didn't know that. We thought of it as fun! Banquet was the brand I remember from back then and they are thanking their loyal customers with a new campaign (keep reading for details).

I remember the little Banquet Single Serve Meals my mom and grandmother kept in the freezer for these occasions. My favorite was the Salisbury Steak Meal with mashed potatoes and corn. I also loved the little brownie that came in some of the meals. I can still picture us lined up on the floor, with our little trays across our laps. We'd watch Hee Haw or Wheel of Fortune while eating our frozen dinners. Those days, they all had tin foil over the top and were cooked in the oven (no microwaves).

Banquet has been creating memories like this for over 50 years. Of course, we all love a good home cooked meal, but as busy as life is sometimes, that's not always in the cards. It's nice to have a back up plan in the form of frozen meals. We keep a bag of Banquet chicken nuggets in the freezer for quick meals when the kids were hungry ten minutes ago and beyond hungry now. My almost three year old signs the word "more" over and and over and over when he's really hungry, so when he starts doing that, I know I better getting dinner on the table and fast.
 

As a way of saying "Thanks a Million" to their loyal customers over all these years, Banquet is giving away more than $1 million worth of redeemable cash prizes this February through April. All you have to do is look for Banquet frozen dinner meals with the "Thanks a Million" logo on the box. Each of these specially-marked packages will contain a special game piece, either one of over 16,000 redeemable cash prizes worth anywhere from $10 to $100,000, or a Banquet coupon.

I recently picked up a macaroni and cheese meal and the boys gobbled it up. I also picked up my trusty Salisbury Steak and it was as good as I remember. To find out more about the "Thanks a Million" promotion, go to www.BanquetThanksaMillion.com. 

Fine Print: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Banquet and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Flirty Aprons: 30% Off Coupon Code! (Extended)

Do you remember the super cute apron I reviewed last month? If not, click here to read my Flirty Aprons review.

I have great news!

Flirty Aprons would like to offer all of my blog readers a Flirty Aprons 30% Off Coupon. They want to thank everyone for their support by giving the this coupon code out to the blog readers. Just enter the coupon code 30Coupon when checking out at http://www.flirtyaprons.com/.

Extended! This coupon code now expires Thursday, March 4, 2010 at midnight. So, you still have time to take advantage of this deal.

BlissDom Find: Gussy Has a Lot to Sew

Yay! I got a little present in the mail today. :) 'Bout time... the boys are always getting stuff. Sheesh!

Hehe, just kidding. Anyway, at BlissDom '10, I found out about Gussy and was lucky enough to recently win a giveaway that helped me with my purchase of these adorable zipped pouches. I am always losing my cell phone and other little bits and pieces in my purse, so I am glad to have these to help out.

I thought they would be fun to photograph so I set up a little photoshoot. They posed nicely for their closeup. :) I am inspired by Gussy because she taught herself to sew a little over a year ago by reading book after book checked out from the library. You can check out her blog by clicking her button (and peruse her shop while you're there). Her story gives me hope that my sewing machine will soon see the light of day. By the quality of her work, you'd think she was born sewing.

I met sew so many inspiring women at BlissDom and will be sharing a few more stories here and there.

Retro, Fun & Cool: Crazy Dog T-Shirts Review

To say hubby and I have a lot of t-shirts is a gross understatement. See the photo above? That's about half of our t-shirt collection hanging in the closet.

Why do we have so many t-shirts? Well, we have a lot of gimme shirts (you know, the kind you get from companies for promo purposes), many from business trips and vacations (my husband tries to get me one when he goes to a state I haven't been to) and others that have seen better days, but are beyond comfortable. These big comfy t-shirts are my mom uniform by day and my comfy pajama tops at night.

Recently, I was able to add to my collection with this awesome Atari t-shirt from Crazy Dog T-Shirts. I was born in the 70s and grew up in the 80s. Atari was the video came console in those days. I remember playing it and thinking it was super duper high tech. Fun times. I had a hard time choosing which t-shirt to order, because there are so many in a lot of different categories. You can choose from funny, cool, junk food, retro and much more.

My first choice was the totally rad (how do you like my 80s lingo?) Care Bears t-shirt. And, yes, I did use totally rad and gnarly on a daily basis when I was in high school thank you very much. The shirt is a Junk Food t-shirt and is beyond soft. Mine came on a pretty cream fabric. The only issues was that it was too small (I didn't pay attention to the sizing chart as much as I should have). It's a fitted tee and would be perfect for someone who loves fitted tees that are so soft you want to live in them. And, how cool is the E.T Phone Home t-shirt at left?

Buy: Check Crazy Dog T-Shirts out! You can buy a huge variety of t-shirts at their website found at http://www.crazydogtshirts.com/. You can also become their Facebook fan and follow them on Twitter (just click the blue hyperlinks).

Fine Print: This product review was made possible by the Double Duty Divas. I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample provided by Crazy Dog T-Shirts. All opinions are 100% mine.

Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars R&G

When I worked in an office and commuted back and forth, I made sure to always eat breakfast. It really helped get me through the morning and provided energy that helped me do my job. I have a confession. Now that I stay at home with my children, I sometimes don't eat until early afternoon.

I have found something that helps me remember to eat a little something when preparing myself a breakfast or stopping for a breakfast sandwich is not on the schedule. I throw one of the new Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars into my purse or the diaper bag. These taste like a treat! I feel like I'm eating a candy bar, but I'm only putting 90 calories into my body while getting 20% of my daily value of fiber (makes me feel full). The boys love them too. If we're out and about and they get hungry, I can share my bar and a banana with them and we are okay until the next full meal.

If you're one a diet, these would be handy to throw in your gym bag for a quick bite that doesn't add a lot of calories to your daily intake. They are available in chocolate and chocolate peanut butter. Grab a box the next time you're at the store and let me know what you think.

Win: Update: Congrats to #93 Laura C. who won with a tweet for an extra entry. You have been emailed and have 72 hours to claim. Thanks!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

93

Timestamp: 2010-03-14 21:28:10 UTC

One Potamus Prefers reader will win a Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars gift pack that includes a sample of the new bars and some great items to help you stick to your weight management plan. To enter, share how you try to make weight management a little bit easier.

If you'd like extra entries (after the required entry is completed), please leave a comment on this post for each entry:

1. Subscribe to our feed by email for one extra entry (sidebar).

2. What flavor of these bars would you like to try for one extra entry.

3. Tell me another Fiber One item your family enjoys or would like to try for one extra entry.

4. Follow Potamus Prefers on Blogger for one extra entry.

5. Follow Potamus Prefers on Twitter and Tweet this post. You can do this once per day for one extra entry per tweet.

6. Add the Potamus Prefers button to your blog for one extra entry.

7. Add us to your blogroll for one extra entry.

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end March 11, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren't a blogger or if it isn't part of your profile). You will have 72 hours to reply.

Fiber One provided me with the free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark™.

Here are your random numbers:

93

Timestamp: 2010-03-14 21:28:10 UTC

Mobility Products Can Really Help Out

Here's a funny story about my first born son and his great-grandfather's chair.

His great-grandfather has one of those cool mobility products that is a recliner chair that lifts up and down, making it easy for him to get in and out of it. In order to operate the chair, you have to push a button that operates the lift mechanism.

The cute part comes in when my son (who is only 2) thinks he is "helping" Papa by pushing the foot rest down when he wants to get up and then lifting it up when Papa wants to recline again (see photo above). It's adorable, but my son doesn't realize that Papa is pushing the button. These chairs are really helpful for those that have problems getting in and out of chairs or those that are recovering from surgery or another illness.

I know how important it is to mobility comparison shop, since my son has also been helped tremendously by a mobility product (pediatric walker). It gave him the little extra help he needed and now he is walking independently.   

This is a sponsored post. The opinions and personal experiences are my own. Click here to read my disclosure policy.

The Vintage Train and The Magic Chair

When Daddy was a little boy in the 1900s (in the early 70s), he won a train set. He thought it had been given away years ago. Imagine his surprise (and our utter delight) when Grandmommy found it at our our great-grandparents' house this weekend. Daddy fiddled with it until he got it working perfectly and then when we woke up this morning, it was like Christmas morning. We couldn't hold in our happiness.

See the little chair that Kieran is sitting on? That chair belonged to our daddy's daddy when he was a little kid. Mommy now calls it the "magic chair" because Kieran will sit still in it for long periods of time. Kieran NEVER sits still. Magic indeed!

Here's a video of the fun:

We think Daddy enjoys playing with this set too! He sure was happy when he saw his old train set along with some of his other childhood toys. We hope he will share with us. :)

Grandmommy also brought the old packaging to Daddy’s Fisher Price Little People plane. They don’t have what was in it (bummer), but Mommy was excited about the packaging. She wants to decorate our playroom in vintage toy photos and this will look cool when she’s done… or so Mommy says. We trust her!

Daddy also has a well loved Winnie the Pooh from his childhood and a cool Mrs. Beasley doll. We aren't allowed to play with those right now, but they are really cool. It's neat to see the toys Daddy liked as a child. Do you have a fun post about a toy from childhood? We'd love to read it. Just leave the link below. If you don't have a post, just tell us the story in the comments if you'd like.

Thank You Country Bob's (BlissDom Vlog)

Earlier this month, I went to my first blogging conference. BlissDom was a wonderful place. I met many bloggers and made new friends. I also formed relationships and had fun at the Country Party (where the fabulous Jyl from The Post-It Place made tasty pulled pork sandwiches using Country Bob's sauces). Thank you to Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce for sending me to BlissDom.

I am writing up more for Country Bob's newsletter (subscribe here) and will also have updates here and at The Sauce It Up Blog. I will have more videos featuring some of my favorite things from BlissDom. I've been meaning to update about this, but sometimes life and unexpected circumstances get in the way. But, as well all know, family always comes first (as it should). Thanks for your patience, everyone. Have a blessed Sunday!

There are two parts to this video blog (vlog)...

Castle Baths Spa Products Giveaway

Do you know what makes me feel refreshed and rejuvenated when I am tired and in need of relaxation? A nice pedicure! Sure, I love the pretty polish for my toesies, but what I adore the most is soaking my feet in yummy smelling salts and the refreshing aromas of the scented lotions.

The one bummer about professional pedicures is the price, so I do them at home most of the time. Recently, I received a spa gift basket from Castle Baths Spa Products that included beautiful smelling foot cream, a dead sea mineral foot soak and foot care candy pack. The basket I was sent is called the Lavender Foot Spa Bath Gift Basket Set in Sweet Communion. It included: 16 Oz. Lavender and Ylang Ylang Mineral Foot Salts (Dead Sea Salt), 4 Oz. Mineral Foot Cream and a Natural handmade Foot Care Candy Pack (the cutest little thing that's perfect for exfoliating heals).

About Castle Baths Spa Products from the company:
Castle Baths specializes in creating Natural Organic Spa Products for Skin and Bath with Therapeutic Aromatherapy and Botany Ingredients.  

• Our bath and spa products are:
• Natural
• Pure
• Made to Order, as fresh as possible
• Completely Vegan- well, with the exception of the 3 goats milk soap bars
• Handmade- never factory or machine made
• Shipped daily to preserve the shelf life
• Never tested on Animals!
• Created with Certified Organic and Wild Crafted Ingredients
• Made with you in mind! 

We preserve our natural products as naturally as we can while still keeping our products sustainable. In most Products we use Geogard® Ultra - accepted by ECOCERT as a preservative in certified organic cosmetics.

As a Christian Bath and Spa Product, Natural Bath and Body Company- we strive to offer YOU excellence, witnessing God's word, and using what God gave us to keep us at our best. Our number one goal is Giving YOU the best Customer Service! You speak and we WILL listen! We care!

My Take
I wish computer screens had scratch and sniff, because the smell of these Sweet Communion products is divine! The first thing I did when I received the basket is smell the foot cream. It smells just like the stuff they rub on my feet at the salon. The fragrance my nose whiffed was the delightful scent of peppermint and I immediately perked up a bit.The lotion and foot soak makes my feet feel soft and fresh.The best news is for just a tiny bit more than what I pay for a professional pedicure, I can buy this basket of goodies and use them over and over again. I think this would be a wonderful gift for yourself or another tired mom that needs revitalization.

Buy: The basket I reviewed is available here for $29.95 at Castle Baths Spa Products website. They offer a wide variety of lotions, soaks, bath teas, massage oils and much more.

Win: Congrats to our winner, #172 Claudia, who said, "I am a fan of Castle Baths Spa Products on Facebook." You have been emailed and have 72 hours to claim. 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

172

Timestamp: 2010-03-04 22:40:46 UTC

One Potamus Prefers reader will win a Lavender Foot Spa Bath Gift Basket Set in Sweet Communion (pictured above) from Castle Baths Spa Products. For the first (required) entry, please go to their website at http://www.castlebaths.com/ and then come back and tell me your favorite item.

If you'd like extra entries (after the required entry is completed), please leave a comment on this post for each entry:

1. Blog about this contest with a link back to Castle Baths Spa Products and Potamus Prefers for five extra entries. The post should be at least 100 words and be an actual blog post, not just a short sentence. Thanks!
2. Subscribe to our feed by email for one extra entry (right sidebar).
3. Follow Castle Baths Spa Products on Twitter @CastleBaths for one extra entry per day.
4. Become a fan of Castle Baths Spa Products on Facebook for one extra entry.
5. Follow Potamus Prefers through Google Friend Connect for one extra entry.
6. Follow @PotamusPrefers on Twitter and tweet about this contest for one extra entry per day.
7. Tell me another item you like from their website.
8. Add Potamus Prefers to your blogroll or add our button to your site for one extra entry.

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end March 3, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. The winner will be posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren't a blogger or if it isn't part of your profile). You will have 72 hours to reply.



Fine Print: I received the item mentioned above from Castle Baths Spa Products to review. The giveaway prize is also being provided by the company. The opinions are my own and based only on my experience. Your results may differ. Please do your research to see if this product is right for you. Thanks to MommyPR and Castle Baths Spa Products for this opportunity.

Handsome Men on Valentine's Day

Dentyne Features Anthony Yankovic's Art: WIN!

Okay, so how many times have you been out to dinner with your hubby or your girlfriends and needed a piece of gum after having a little too much garlic in your pasta?

I can't count how many times I have been sitting in my car, digging in my purse for a piece of a gum or a mint that has fallen to the bottom. Many times I can't find a piece or, if I do, it's all mangled amongst other random things in my bag.

So, yes, I was excited when I found out that Dentyne has bottles that will fit nicely in my car cup holder. I can even throw a bottle into my purse or diaper bag and find it easily due to its size, shape and cool artwork. Did I say "cool artwork" on a gum container? Yep! See it on this page? Isn't it cool?

The new Dentyne bottles have artwork by Anthony Yankovic.

I have to say that the bottles are eye catching and fun. I think it's cool that when the gum is gone, these bottles will still come in handy to catch stray change, paper clips, pacifiers, etc. in your car. Another great thing is there is a lot of gum in this nifty little bottles... plenty for sharing with pals. So, the next time you're out with your girlfriends and your all grabbing for the gum, you can pull out your neatly adorned Dentyne bottle and share. They are also cool conversation pieces. Arctic Chill, Spearmint and Peppermint are the flavors that are available. I personally love the Arctic Chill. It makes my mouth feel clean.

Win: Update: Congrats to #9 Linda Kish who said, "I think the Arctic Chill bottle is cool." You have been emailed and have 48 hours to claim. Thanks!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
9   
Timestamp: 2010-02-21 14:37:11 UTC

One Potamus Prefers reader will win a Dentyne prize pack that includes one of each flavor (Arctic Chill, Spearmint and Peppermint). You too can check out Anthony Yankovic's art for yourself. Check out the new Dentyne bottles and tell me what you think for your entry (just comment below). That's it. Easy, right? If you Tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post, you can have one extra entry. That's two total entries. Good luck!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US only and will end on Feb. 18, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. The winner will be emailed and announced in this blog post. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Fine Print: I received the products mentioned in this review from Dentyne (who contacted me) for the purpose of an honest review. The giveaway prize is also being provided by Dentyne. The opinions are my own.

PearlParadise.com: Valentine's Day Is Sunday

Yes, love day has snuck up on us once again. Men, have you gotten your sweetie anything yet? Ladies, have you dropped enough hints? I have a suggestion... 

You might remember that I did a full review for them back in November. I was amazed at their story. You can read my review here and see the beautiful strand of pearls I received. I still love them and they dress up any outfit (even jeans and a nice t-shirt). Recently, I added to my collection of beautiful PearlParadise.com freshwater pearls when I received these beauties...
 

They are a beautiful pink to match the necklace I received before. I am not a jewelry photographer so I can't get a good photo of the correct color of these pearl earrings, but I wanted you to see the style. These were custom made for me! The color is more like this.

There are so many choices. Maybe your true love would like a nice Akoya Pearl Necklace like the one below.

Perhaps a pearl pendant is more your dear ones style. I think this one is modern and fun.

And, of course, I'm still loving this feminine, fancy pearl ring. I think it would be a nice Valentine's Day gift.

Buy: So, head on over to PearlParadise.com and browse around (and, no, it's not too late... order one of their pearl necklaces or other pearl pieces now and select two day or overnight delivery). You can also follow PearlParadise.com on Twitter @PearlParadise.

Win Win Win!

Update: Congrats to our winner, #37 Tamara B. who said, "I am a subscriber." You have been emailed.

Random Integer GeneratorWould you like to win pearls for yourself for Valentine's Day? Maybe you don't have a Valentine or maybe you just want to treat yourself. One Potamus Prefers reader will win a pair of 7.0-8.0 mm Pink to Peach Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings!

Here are your random numbers:

37

Timestamp: 2010-02-15 15:36:29 UTC

For the first required entry, check out http://pearlparadise.com/ then come back and tell me another item you'd like to own.

Want more entries? Sure, anything for you!

If you'd like extra entries (after the required entry is completed), please leave a comment on this post for each entry:
1. Blog about this contest with a link back to PearlParadise.com and Potamus Prefers for five extra entries. The post should be at least 100 words and be an actual blog post, not just a short sentence. Thanks!
2. Subscribe to our feed by email for one extra entry.
3. Become a follower of @PearlParadise on Twitter.
4. Tell me your favorite thing about Valentine's Day.
5. Follow Potamus Prefers on Blogger.

6. Follow @PotamusPrefers on Twitter and tweet about this contest for one extra entry per day.

7. Add Potamus Prefers to your blogroll.
8. Tell me something you learned from my previous review.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada and will end Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren't a blogger or if it isn't part of your profile). You will have 72 hours to reply.

Fine Print: I received the earrings mentioned above to review and keep at no charge from the company, but did not receive payment for this review. The opinions are mine only. Please do your research and decide for yourself if this is the best purchase for you.

Fiber One Yogurt Deal at Safeway and Win!

Yogurt is a popular breakfast item around here for the boys. My husband also really enjoys it. Did you know that there is now a Fiber One Yogurt that has only 50 calories but five grams of fiber? Well, there is and right now (hurry... offer ends tomorrow, Feb. 9th) you can purchase two 4-packs of Fiber One Yogurt for only $4 at the Safeway family of stores (Randall's where I live). I think that's a good deal!

Info I received from the company:

Best-selling author and food expert Lisa Lillien, AKA Hungry Girl, has given her “seal of approval” to the new Fiber One yogurt, the only leading nonfat yogurt with 50 calories and 5 grams of fiber (20 percent of the Recommended Daily Value). It is also a good source of calcium and vitamins A and D, making this a guilt-free and all-around great choice for dieters and those watching their weights. Each cup includes the creamy, delicious taste you expect from Yoplait, and you don't have to feel guilty about enjoying it. Fiber One is available in a variety of flavors including, Strawberry, Peach, Vanilla and Key Lime Pie (see what Hungry Girl thinks about the new yogurt here).

The boys really seem to like this yogurt. It disappears quickly. My oldest son's favorite is the Key Lime Pie since that one goes away the fastest. I am a fan because I like the added fiber. If you take advantage of the deal, let me know what you think, okay?

Win:Update: Congrats to #60 Genny who said, "Strawberry". You have been emailed and have 72 hours to claim. 

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
60   
Timestamp: 2010-02-22 21:17:24 UTC

One Potamus Prefers reader will win a $50 Gift Card good at any Safeway store (also good at Dominick’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, Genuardi’s). To enter, just answer the following question in the comments section below (be sure to include your email): Share your recommended tips on how to maintain a healthy and frugal lifestyle.


If you'd like extra entries (after the required entry is completed), please leave a comment on this post for each entry:

1. Subscribe to our feed by email for one extra entry (sidebar).
2. What flavor of Fiber One Yogurt would you like to try for one extra entry.
3. Tell me another Fiber One item your family enjoys or would like to try for one extra entry.
4. Follow Potamus Prefers on Blogger for one extra entry.
5. Follow Potamus Prefers on Twitter and Tweet this post. You can do this once per day for one extra entry per tweet.
6. Add the Potamus Prefers button to your blog for one extra entry.
7. Add us to your blogroll for one extra entry.

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end February 22, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren't a blogger or if it isn't part of your profile). You will have 72 hours to reply.

Safeway and Fiber One provided me with the free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark™.

Ten Kisses

I'm home from Blissdom '10 and EXHAUSTED. Blissdom can almost extrovert an introvert if that's possible. Everyone was friendly and kind to me. That is my kind of place.

I plan to post photos and do further updates, but right now, I am behind on life and need to catch up. For now, I will share this.

When I went to fetch Finley from his Grandmommy and Pabba's house this morning (so I could take him to his OT and PT appointments), he walked fast to me, put his arms up and gave me at least TEN KISSES RIGHT ON THE MOUTH! He doesn't give out kisses that often. It was one of the happiest moments I have experienced in a LONG time. He missed me. :) Sweet boy. Grandmommy says he kissed her on the hand this weekend. Such a gentleman!

Kieran showed his love a little later... after his favorite Sprout show was off. :)

Finley did excellent at his appointments today. I am so proud of him. He amazes me and is awesome. We enjoyed a meal together. I think his Happy Meal and toy made him as happy as his 10 kisses did me!

Loving Blissdom and Needing a Foot Rub

I'm having lots of fun at Blissdom '10. You can follow me on Twitter @PotamusPrefers for all of my updates. It's much easier to update there from my cell phone. Also, check out the hashtag #Blissdom.

So far, I have met a bunch of wonderful bloggers and representatives of companies and look forward to checking out all of their blogs when I get home. I also met Harry Connick Jr., had my photo taken with him and heard him perform. The Opryland Hotel is GIANT. I might need new feet when I get home. lol

If you're at Blissdom and reading this, be sure to give me your business card. I will be drawing for Country Bob's (@CountryBobs) prizes from those cards.

Right now, I am in information overload mode and beyond exhausted. I am therefore incapable of a good post. I just wanted to say "hi" and I'll be back next week to my regularly scheduled blogging.

Going to Blissdom and Scavenger Hunting! (WIN)

Update: Scavenger hunt is closed. The winners are commenter #3 and #20. Check your emails. Thanks for playing, everyone.

Hi there. I see you!

If you're peeping in, wondering what I am doing, well I am packing for Blissdom. I am excited to go to Nashville and learn. It's my first trip to Tennessee and my first trip to a blogging conference. I am going thanks to the wonderful folks at Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce.

Before marriage and kids, I worked for a newspaper for 10 years. I also worked at a radio station for six years. That being said, I have been to a bunch of press conventions. I wonder how a blog convention differs. We shall see. I have only flown alone one other time in my life, so we will see how that works out as well.

If you don't already, follow me on Twitter @PotamusPrefers and also @CountryBobs, because I'll be tweeting about my adventures and giving away some fun and tasty Country Bob's merchandise (to people at home as well as at Blissdom).

And, since I am on a scavenger hunt of my own right now looking for travel sized bottles of shampoo and the perfect bag to pack everything in, I want you to go on one too!

Head on over to Country Bob's website and look for three things. First I want you to tell me who came up with the Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce recipe, what year he perfected it and the name of one other item Country Bob's sells on their website (besides All Purpose Sauce).

Once you've hunted down those three answers, come back here and comment below with your findings. I will draw TWO people randomly from the correct answers at 9 p.m. central time tonight (about the time I'm finished packing, probably) to win a Country Bob's Gift Pack with Cookbook (ARV $32 each). Please note that I will put all comments into moderation until then to make it fair for everyone. All answers will appear in the comments section at the end of the contest tonight.

Pssst... For an extra entry, tweet about this scavenger hunt so others can have fun, too! For one more entry, tell me something you learned about Blissdom from the website.

Fine Print: Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce is the official sponsor of Potamus Prefers for Blissdom 2010 and is providing the giveaway prizes listed.

National Geographic Kids Almanac Giveaway

When the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 arrived, I thought to myself, “What do boys think about books like this?” I had three sisters and now that I have two boys I sometimes have to change the way I think and view things. I thought about it a good while and then it hit me! I will just ask my husband. He was a boy… a loooong time ago.

Here is what he had to say:
"When I was little, my family moved a lot due to my father’s work. I was an only child, so I had to learn to make friends fast or entertain myself. Often, if there was no one to hang out with, I would turn to books. Books as we all have experienced, can take you to new places, show you new things and teach you things you might otherwise never experience. They can be a resource to induce curiosity about a subject and make you want to learn more. Books can even teach you more about something you saw or experienced by researching the subject.

To me, almanacs and encyclopedias have always held a special place for me. When I was in elementary school, I found a set of illustrated children's books very similar to the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010.

I read the four book set cover to cover, at least twice. At that age, kids are so hungry for knowledge. I remember as I grew, I was able to recall things I had read and apply them to things I saw and experienced. It made things richer and more real because I already had a basic knowledge of the places and things I saw. As a kid, I took pride in knowing as much, and often more than the adults about some of the animals at the zoo, or about a painting, sculpture, artist or musician.

I feel that a general and well rounded knowledge of things makes a person more confident in social situations as well. Being “a jack of all trades” allows a person to speak on a competent level and not feel left out of the conversation. Just being able to understand a subject, without having to contribute, goes a long way to instilling confidence and fostering inclusion."

As his wife, I will vouch that he is very knowledgeable and knows a little bit about everything. He can have a conversation with anyone and I mean anyone! I hope my kids inherit this from him as he always enjoys himself in crowds. I will provide my children with educational books and almanacs, like the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 to help foster a love of knowledge.

My husband and I both spent a while thumbing through the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 and found it hard to put down. The book is filled with, and I quote from the cover “FUN Facts : EVERYTHING you always wanted to know about EVERYTHING!”. I love the jokes, pictures and "Did you know?" blurbs. The boys are still in the age two and under crowd, but they love looking at the pictures and hearing us read the book to them.

Looking for an educational gift for your kid, grandkid, niece, nephew or friend? We are working with National Geographic Kids to give away a copy of their 2010 Kids Almanac. From their official page on the National Geographic website: “Dare to explore—from modern day adventures to close calls and narrow escapes. In this book, amazing animals take readers into the wild and into the water. Readers discover cultural connections from food, currency, literature and lots more from around the world. Filled with maps, facts and more this book helps readers learn to go green and help our threatened earth!”

Update: Congratulations to #38 saturdaynightfever who said, "Many years ago, National Geographic Magazine had this scratch and sniff test to submit answers to in order to do statistics on olfactory stimuli; this is my most potent memory." You have been emailed.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

38

Timestamp: 2010-02-12 18:31:42 UTC

To enter, leave a comment below with your favorite National Geographic learning as a kid (or as an adult) – feel free to get your little ones involved! For an extra chance, follow @NGKids on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. That's it, two entries per person available. Easy, right?

This giveaway will end Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. It is open to residents of the US only. The winner will be chosen randomly, emailed and announced in this post and will have 48 hours to claim.

Fine Print: I received a copy of the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 to review and the giveaway copy is also being provided by the company.

Pepsi Refresh Project Helps You Give Back

Just turn on the news and you are hit with the reality that there is a lot of need in this world. I know I constantly wonder how I can give back to the community. I think we all have wonderful ideas that we'd love to put into motion, but sometimes just one thing prevents us from doing so and that's funding.

I didn't really watch the Superbowl last year, but here's a story for you. Earlier this week, I was looking for a song that was stuck in my head and found out that it was from a Superbowl commercial from last year. It was the Pepsi one featuring the Bob Dylan and Will.i.am rendition of "Forever Young". Coincidentally, it was for Pepsi Refresh. This song just stuck in my head and whenever I felt down this past week, I'd play it.

This year, Pepsi has opted not to advertise during the Superbowl and here's why: The Pepsi Refresh Project. Through this project, Pepsi will give away more than $20,000,000 dollars to fund projects that help make communities better. Whether you need $5,000 or $250,000, this project can help you, or the organization you work with, give back to your community. There is a video at http://www.refresheverything.com/ that explains it very well.

Each month, you can submit a project at their website found at http://www.refresheverything.com/. There are six categories: health, arts and culture, food and shelter, the planet, neighborhood and education. At the end of the month, Pepsi will post top submissions and the public can vote on the grant winners (totaling up to $1.3 million dollars).

Starting today, Feb. 1, you can submit your idea for the March round of grants. In addition, you can vote for February grants as well. You can also become a Facebook fan of the Pepsi Refresh Project. In addition, you can keep up with the project by following hashtag #pepsirefresh on Twitter. There is also a Pepsi Refresh Blog where you can find tips for submission and more.

Mom Central asked Lauren Hobart, Mom and CMO of Sparkling Brands at Pepsi why Pepsi Refresh is unique and she answered, "The program is unique because it puts the power in the hands of the consumer. Individuals submit their ideas and then the nation votes on the idea that moves them the most. This is done in a very ground up way. Essentially, we’ve democratized the process."

Look around your community and ask yourself, "How can I give back?". Personally, I wish there was an area at our local park that catered to developmentally delayed toddlers. I envision lots of sensory boxes and easy access slides and play things for those on walkers or with mobility issues. What is your vision?

The main website for submissions and voting is http://www.refresheverything.com/.

Fine Print: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pepsi Refresh. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.