Going to See Santa

We took Peanut to Santa this weekend and were less than impressed.  Last year, we went as a family with my parents, my brother and his little girl who is just a few weeks older.  We had such a great time last year and so thought we'd make the outing part of our annual holiday festivities.  Last year, we arrived mid afternoon, but received a ticket that wouldn't let us in line until later that evening.  We went shopping, had dinner, had a minimal wait and the photo came out great.  Santa was really great with the two infants.  We didn't feel rushed.
This year, not so much.  We went to Bass Pro Shop for the free Santa photo like we did last year. We went earlier in the day, hoping to work around nap schedules.  We arrived at 11:20 and were given 12:00 tickets.  We were surprised when we arrived and realized we would only have a 20 minutes to wander the store, as we were told to get in line 15 minutes before our time--no problem. 
We went and stood in line at the appropriate time.  The kids are both now toddlers and don't like to sit still--so some of us would stand in line while the others took the kids to check out the cool activities the store had set up--no problem. 1/2 hour later, the natives are getting a little restless, but we finally make it to the front of the line. Except--there's a problem.  At 12:15 exactly, Santa is going on break--right when we get to the front of the line.  So we get to wait patiently at the front of the line while Santa goes to feed his reindeer.  Because we are coralled in to position--there's no taking the kids to wander.  There's just standing in place with two active toddlers and nothing to do but wait.
I get that Santa needs a break too, but couldn't they have put it in the schedule?  The line backs up even further and gets twice as crowded, as the folks with 12:30 tickets have arrived right on schedule.  Wouldn't it have made more sense to give Santa a break at 12:30 and instead skip the 12:30 crowd and go straight to 1?  Instead I smile and pump peanut full of cherios and point out trains to try to keep him from crawling everywhere.
Santa returns, and it's painfully obvious he's either having a bad day, or just doesn't like kids.  We place peanut on his lap and peanut instantly squirms.  Santa does nothing to interest or entertain the kid, just says "I can't hold a child against his will" and lets peanut plop to the ground.  After all that--we get no picture--I thought they had snapped one when they moved us on, but no such luck.  What a waste. I know Peanut's not perfect--I get that it's hard to get him to sit still at times, but really, the whole experience rather soured my holiday.  So maybe we won't be waiting forever at Bass Pro next year. 

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Stay Safe this Holiday with Master Lock

It seems so strange that at this most wonderful time of the year, people can be both at their best and at their worst.  While dozens of people find ways to give toys and food for those in need, others find themselves desperate enough to take what isn't there's.  Still others just find it a great time to take advantage of those of us who are too busy to be mindful of our surroundings.

There is also tons of travel during the holidays.   We'll be going both north and south for family gatherings.  It seems the weather doesn't always cooperate with that. All those wishes for a white Christmas can result in hazardous driving conditions.  It seems that we have to leave home just a little earlier to avoid some great snow fall between home and Rich's family gathering in the great white north.

This year, Master Lock wants to help you avoid any pitfalls that come with the eventful season by taking proper precautions to ensure safety and security remain top-of-mind.  

MasterLock makes the following recommendations:

• Travel Safely. Whether you’re planning a road trip or flight, be sure to take all the proper safety precautions. If driving to your destination, check tire pressure beforehand for optimal handling and traction and consider having your car winterized by your mechanic for added safety.

• Secure Your Home. During the holiday season, you’re likely to have guests coming and going from your home for a number of get-togethers. Be sure all entry points, including doors, windows and sliding glass doors, are locked before and after guests depart to help keep your family, home and valuables safe.

• Shop Smart. To stay safe while enjoying a fun holiday shopping trip to the local mall or shopping center, be aware of your surroundings. Park in well-lit areas

You can help Master Lock by sharing holiday safety and security tips and insights on the Master Lock Facebook wall.  If you do so, you'll be entered into  the Holiday Safety Sweepstakes. You could win one of four $50 VISA gift cards, one of two $100 VISA gift cards to help with holiday shopping or a Master Lock Holiday Safety Gift Pack.

 • For more information on and to enter the Master Lock Holiday Safety Sweepstakes, visit:  www.facebook.com/masterlock

• For more information on Master Lock and their products, visit Masterlock.com

I am a member of One2One Network.I wrote this blog as part of their promotional campaign.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.  All opinions are my own.

Hodgson Mills Grain Holiday Contest & Giveaway

Hodgson Mill® is a family-owned company with more than 125 years’ experience producing all-natural, delicious, healthy, stone-ground whole grain and organic foods made from premium quality ingredients and milled in small batches to retain each grain’s nutritional benefits. Hodgson Mill® products include: flours, corn meals, gluten-free flours, baking mixes, pastas, cereals, and more. Since 1882, Hodgson Mill®’s family of employees has been stone-grinding 100% whole grain to create wholesome, naturally healthy food – with no artificial preservatives, additives or colorings.

This weekend was one of many cookie weekends for my family.  From time in memorium, December means baking.  We must go through multiple batches of at least 6 different varieties of cookies--and trust me, this is pared down from what we used to make.  We used to make so many Christmas cookies, we had frozen cookies that would last well in to February.

This year, I'm trying to do something a little bit better.  I'm trying to bake with more whole grains.    I've had a few disasterous botches with whole wheat flour.  I've learned that it doesn't work just right in Spatzles or in our crepe recipe.  Inspired by the Hodgson Mill's "Have a  Grain Holiday" Contest, I attempted to make cookie with Whole Wheat flour.  Competing with 49 other bloggers, I've attempted to create a delicious and nutritious holiday recipe using Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Flour and/or Hodgson Mill Best For Bread Flour.  I'm competing for the chance to win exciting prizes including an iPad 2, gift certificates to Williams Sonoma, and gift certificates to the Hodgson Mill online store. 


Here's my recipe. I was amazingly pleased with the results.


Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies


1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon Cinnamon 
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Flour
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)




1)Cream the sugar, butter, shortening, eggs and vanilla. Mix in Cinammon, baking soda, salt and flour until smooth.  Stir in Oats, chocolate chips and walnuts.  Works best if you allow dough to chill in fridge for a few hours or over night


2) Drop dough by the tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake in preheated 350 oven for 9-12 minutes until edges are slightly brown.


3) Cool slightly then remove from cookie sheet and place on cooling rack.
Makes about 4-5 dozen


Do you have lots of holiday baking to do? Wouldn't you love to give this recipe a try for yourself? If so, enter below for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Hodgson Mill online store.

Until December 25th, you can also stop here: http://www.hodgsonmill.com/grainday-thank-you/ for a chance to win one of 50 Hodgson Mill gift packs containing $85 worth of Hodgson Mill products!





I received samples of Hodgson Mill products in exchange for my entry in "Have a Grain Holiday Contest." Official Contest Rules  from Hodgson Mill can be found here: bit.ly/sWjRtv
I received no additional compensation in exchange for this review.  All opinions expressed here in are my own. 

Something about Silver Review and Giveaway

I am so excited to be able to bring this opportunity to you!  I recently had the good fortune to review a handmade necklace from Something About Silver.  The necklace I received is from the "Little Gems" line.  It is quite possibly the cutest silver necklace customized with Peanut's name and birthstone.  It is a dainty 5/8th inch disc in diameter, which really works for me--anything much bigger would seem a little gaudy.  We only have peanut, but you could add as many discs if you wanted to.  It's absolutely gorgeous and I seriously love having a reminder of my little guy with me all day.

I'm very in to personalized gifts, and Something About Silver excels with personalization.  For example, I love this one  with a quote from "Guess How Much I love you?"  Peanut has three copy of this book, one from my shower, one from his grandma, and one of those recordable hallmark  books as read by my best friend.  Anyway, a very sentimental choice that I'd love to add to my jewelry box.


Or how about a grandmother's necklace?  I  know my mother always wanted one--one with her kids, and her grand kids.  This just might be the Christmas I finally get her one.

Speaking of Christmas, I absolutely LOVE this baby's first Christmas charm.  I wish we had found this last year instead of settling for something that was a little generic.  I love the little feet!

I know I showcased mostly necklaces, but they have bracelets and rings too---even a "something for him" category.

How much would you love your own "Something about Silver treasure? 

Buy it:  Visit www.somethingaboutsilver.com and use the coupon code kathrynmcgowan to earn 10% off your entire purchase.


Win it: Use the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a $40 gift code to customize your own special silver creation.


This product was provided by Something About Silver in exchange for my fair and honest review. No monetary compensation took place.  All opinions are my own.