Christmas Cards on Shutterfly! How do I choose!

Does anyone else have this problem? This is one of the cards I was looking at for 2009?! But, now, for 2010, I am trying to decide! Too many choices....and it's almost December 1st!!! Yikes!

Cane Column Christmas

Make a statement with custom Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Hamburger Helper Show Your Helping Hand Feeding America Giveaway

Did you know how easy it is to support your local food bank. By using coupons and sales, you can get food, supplies, and all kinds of things for free, or next to nothing and then take it to your local food shelter.

I can't tell you how many times I have had up to 10 tubes of toothpaste in the cabinet.....all for FREE.....just waiting to be donated! Just takes a little "creative shopping".

We have been trying to purpose ourselves to find some ways to "give back" so when I was contacted about Hamburger Helper’s Show Your Helping Hand campaign to support Feeding America, I jumped at the chance! And, here's the best part!!! by posting this post Hamburger Helper will make a $10 donation to the Show Your Helping Hand campaign on 3QTGUYS behalf.

According to Feeding America, approximately 5.7 million different people receive emergency food assistance from the organization in any given week.

To raise awareness about the national issue of hunger, Hamburger Helper^® is partnering with GRAMMY^® Award-winning singer, songwriter and actor Tim McGraw to help Feeding America deliver millions of meals to local food banks through the Show Your Helping HandTM campaign. McGraw will lend his voice to the campaign through a Public Service Announcement which will be distributed nationwide.

Support the campaign by submitting codes from specially marked boxes of Hamburger Helper at www.showyourhelpinghand.com or by logging on to make a donation. Hamburger Helper has already donated more than half a million dollars and will contribute up to an additional $100,000 to Feeding America through this program. Don´t think one code will make a difference? The 17 cents Hamburger Helper donates per code is enough for Feeding America to deliver one meal to a local food bank. And your friends and family can also have a chance to win an autographed copy of Tim McGraw´s "Southern Voice" CD by visiting www.showyourhelpinghand.com.

Enter to Win:

A prize pack that includes a box of Hamburger Helper skillet meals, a Hamburger Helper foam "Helping Hand" and a copy of Tim McGraw´s "Southern Voice" CD

To Enter:

Leave A comment on this post telling me how you will encourage others to submit codes to Show your Helping Hand.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway

tweet: Tweet: Show Your Helping Hand & Win Tim McGraw´s "Southern Voice" CD Prize Pack #MyBlogSparkhttp://tiny.cc/8nilg @scottorbsmith

2. Subscribe to my blog via email.

3. Blog about this giveaway...and leave a comment with the link!

A total of 4 chances to win!!!!

*This giveaway ends December 10, so enter today!

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I received this product as compensation from MyBlogSpark and Hamburger Helper and as always, my opinions are completely my own!

Thankful to be able to Give Back--free $5 donation

Do you remember him? Stephen Paletta?! He won Oprah's Give Big challenge and she "shared the love" with him so he could do something good for others!

Well, he did! He started GiveBack.org. It's a simple way for you to manage your charitable giving! Although the site is still in Beta right now, I was offered the opportunity to test it out...so you know I did!

It's so easy! Just sign up! And, right now, when you register...they are giving YOU $5 to get things started!

Then, you just choose the foundation you want to give to.

I chose ShowHope. It is the foundation started by Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman...to help fund adoptions for families. If you have never checked it out, go now!

And, that's it!!!
So easy.

So easy to give back.

And, then. At the end of the year, they will send one itemized report for your Tax Deductions. Win. Win.

So, do something good on Thanksgiving today. Give Back.

Things are about to change.....Radical!

When Scott started reading this book,Radical by David Platt, he kept saying....it's changing my life....I was thinking "oh dear....." because he tends to be an extreme-ist.

But, I picked it up myself (and did NOT tell him!) because I was a little curious.

Now, I am NOT, I repeat NOT a reader.....so for me to voluntarily read something that really does NOT interest me....well, let's just say, that part has God all over it!

Regardless, I read it. And I could not put it down.

Painful. Convicting.

But, so well written, and simply....well.....Life Changing.

And, is God would have it, we spent the weekend....just us.....and on the drive to Georgia....all weekend...and then the drive home.....we found ourselves saying "ok, back to the book...."

And, well, I wish you would read it for yourself.....but let me just say, I think God has some "radical" things in store for The Smiths!

stay tuned.........
(and until then...read the book)

Free Movies on General Mills *Giveaway*

Starting in November, you can receive a free movie ticket when you purchase two specially marked packages of Big G cereals including Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Trix® (14.8 oz) and Reese´s Puffs® cereal (18 oz.).

After purchasing two participating cereals, visit generalmills.com/moviecash to enter the unique code found inside each box of cereal and print your free Movie Cash certificate (good for one admission of up to a $12 value at participating theatres). To find a participating theater in your area, log onto eMovieCash.com.


Thanks to General Mills and MyBlogSpark, we received a "Family Flick Night" gift pack that included two boxes of the Big G cereals: Lucky Charms and Honey Nut Cheerios and four Movie Cash certificates. They are also providing an additional gift pack to give away to one of my awesome readers and visitors.


Free Movies on General Mills *GIVEAWAY*
Posted: 15 Nov 2010 10:00 PM PST


Dim the lights and butter the popcorn because this fall a night out at the movies can be as easy as enjoying the General Mills Big G cereals that you already know and love!

Starting in November, you can receive a free movie ticket when you purchase two specially marked packages of Big G cereals including Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Trix® (14.8 oz) and Reese´s Puffs® cereal (18 oz.).

After purchasing two participating cereals, visit generalmills.com/moviecash to enter the unique code found inside each box of cereal and print your free Movie Cash certificate (good for one admission of up to a $12 value at participating theatres). To find a participating theater in your area, log onto eMovieCash.com.


Thanks to General Mills and MyBlogSpark, we received a "Family Flick Night" gift pack that included two boxes of the Big G cereals: Lucky Charms and Honey Nut Cheerios and four Movie Cash certificates. They are also providing an additional gift pack to give away to one of my awesome readers and visitors.

One lucky reader will receive a
Family Flick Night Gift Pack !!!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

Leave a comment at this post sharing how you make movie nights special for your family. This is the first and required entry.

Extra Entries:

(Bonus entries...you know, so you can rack up more chances for the loot!)
*Leave a comment for each*
*Total of Five Bonus entries possible*
1. Follow me on Twitter.
2. Follow me via google connect
3. Subscribe to my blog via email
4. Post about this giveaway on your blog, and post the link in the comments.
5. Share the link to the giveaway on facebook ,and post the link in the comments.

Good Luck! I will draw a winner on Wednesday, December 1st!

Washington DC---the trip--post THREE of several :)

The Tour of the Capitol

First off, I love this shot of my little guy! I really think I have taught him well! He's an avid tourist AND photographer! Ahh!!!

Well, we wandered into the Capitol, just wanting to "look around" and we were somewhat hopeful. They greeted us with a smile! When I asked about a tour, they said sure!! We have some open spots going in NOW!

So, off we went! Tickets in hand!

As we were approaching the entrance of the tour, I was just not encouraged by the excitement of this lady! Um, does she know that she is asleep in OUR NATION'S CAPITOL!!!!!!! I mean, come on, I am not a "museum lover" myself, but puh-leeeze!


So in we went on our guided tour. I love these little "headphone tours" where we all look like dorks and the Tour Guide looks like he's just walking and talking to himself.


So, we walked, in and through, and around...and then.....AHH! We were in the DOME! Actually just standing right underneath it! Oh, what an awesome feeling!

I am not sure why I loved it so much, but I did. Just knowing that I was standing under such an iconic symbol of our nation. Very cool.

Yes, here are my guys....and this is pretty much what everyone was doing. Just looking up. In awe.

As we walked by this. I could not help myself. They tour guide kept saying, don't stop in the hall. Just keep moving.

Hello. Are you serious. I have to stop to take this picture.

And, now, just a day or so later........I am glad I did! See ya, Nancy!

There was lots more to see, and stare at. But, as we exited, I loved this replica statue of Freedom.

Freedom is the statue on TOP of the Capitol. To be quite honest, I've never really paid it any attention, but seeing it up close...very cool.
And, then, more looking, staring, reading. Yes, more of the museum nerd (but, I love him, just the same) He kept saying, "hey, it's my first time here" "hey, we might never come back here".....I finally assured him...um, yes we will!


Then, over on the other side, this very cool, cute, dainty little statue of Helen Keller. I've always been fascinated by her, and her story. Very cool.


So, then we headed out of the Capitol, and towards the Library of Congress. We were so excited to be in the midst of all of this stuff you "hear" about, but really, never think you will experience!

Such a cool, amazing, thing.

Oh, yeah, and remember her......well, look at her, up and at'em.....Just as chipper as she can be. I think I even heard her whistling :)

Randy Houser - They Call Me Cadillac

When I got this CD in the mail......I did not wait ONE little second!!! I opened it immediately, to begin my "official review"! (hey, it's a hard job, I know!)

So, it only took me a second to remember that the sound of his voice, mixed with the mad skills of the musicians he works with, is enough to keep me listening all day!

This CD is NO exception! His talents are crazy good, and Country Music is just that much better because we have the likes of Randy Houser!

Not to mention, that his bad boy look mixed with his country boy charm, is enough to make me swoon, driving down the road!

What? Another track or two...yes, please! I'll keep listening!

...and I did!

I also love that you can find some of the background info on the songs on his site.

Here's what he has to say about the Title Song "They call me Cadillac"

"My buddy Davidson just started calling me 'Cadillac' one day. Everybody asks me how he came up with that name, and I just tell them "it's because I like everything real smooth. I like everything laid back like that. I don't like anyboyd messing with my good time'! Along those same lines, Brice [Long] and I were on the bus and I started playing that bluesy lick and the verse just came out. "I've been known to lay around all day...." The rest of it came flying out, like it was one of those things that just cosmically happened. I couldn't think of a better name for the record."

The history on this project:
Randy Houser's second album, They Call Me Cadillac, will be released Sept. 14 by Show Dog-Universal Music. Houser wrote the first single from the album, "I'm All About It." Lee Ann Womack sings harmony on one of the tracks, "Addicted." The album was co-produced by Cliff Audretch and Mark Wright. "I put my heart into this record," Houser said. "We went into the studio with a direction in mind, conceptually, for the album, and the result is something I'm really proud of. I think people are ready to hear real country music again, and I'm one of them." Houser's hits include "Anything Goes," "Boots On" and "Whistlin' Dixie."

More Expo Tryology offers!

Because I am a fan of ExpoTV, I thought I would pass along these offers!

First off, if you aren't already a member of this video review community, you should give it a try!

Currently, there are two Tryology opportunities!

The first program is with Head and Shoulders. Qualifying participants will get to sample two of the newest products before they are released in stores! All you have to do is visit register and apply. The second program with Suave gives qualifying members a chance to try the Advanced Therapy Body Lotion for FREE. Again all you have to do is register for expotv.com and apply. If selected for either or both programs, you will receive an invitation and the free product to try and review.

For more information on the Tryology Program and how it works check out ExpoTV!

Washington DC---the trip--post TWO of several :)

So, the first stop was at the National Museum of the American Indian. What a very cool place. We actually went there first because we were STARVING.

Um, not so sure this was the place to go (although it came highly recommended). It had all kinds of weird-indian-named food! So, I settled for the Chicken Mole burrito. (would be that be mole...like you know. MOLE...or is that supposed to be mol-e....you know like hosea?) Anyways, it was ok. Just ok. I would not recommend it. None of us were in love with our selections, but, like I said, we were starving, so anything was good at this point!

Then, we went thru the museum watching all of the movies, and looking at all of the artifacts.

I could NOT resist this sign! I think I need to paint it in our home!

Um, without a doubt....I AM SUMMER PEOPLE!


Ok, then back outside, to enjoy more of the National Mall.

I realized more on this trip....really...WAY more...that my husband is a History Nerd. And, when I say Nerd.....that does NOT do it justice.

He had to look E.V.E.R.Y. statue. Every little tiny piece of writing on it. Everything. So....we did! So, you too can check out this one of Garfield!

And one more for your viewing pleasure!


They were in the process of setting up for a rally, so the stage was in my way, but...hey,that's part of it, ya know!


But, it was a beautiful day, overall, and we were just loving being here!

And, then, we wondered around, kind of acting like we knew what we were doing......and just walked right in, and asked if we could get a tour of the Capitol......and they said "yes, right this way"........

Some crafty friends!

My friend Andrea posted this on her blog, and I thought I would too! I love the idea of spotlighting all of my crafty friends!

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I have so many talented and crafty friends. And just like me, many of them are working hard to use their talents to help bring in a little extra income for their families. I wanted to share some of their business ventures and crafty products with you and ask that you give each of them a quick look. Some of these great gift ideas might be *just right* for someone on your shopping list this year!

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Elizabeth Bailey / E.Bailey Photography

Elizabeth Bailey is a photographer who specializes in newborn, children, and family portraiture in the Birmingham, AL area. She is available for on location and studio sessions. She blends traditional and contemporary posing, by taking cues from the personality of each child. She wants each session to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. You will enjoy a gallery full of carefully edited images that are a reflection of your child's true personality. Elizabeth offers a variety of prints options, as well as albums, storyboards, custom cards, gallery wrapped canvases, and digital collections.

Join her on Facebook to get the latest information!

Andrea's Blog Special

For the month of November: Contact me and mention that you saw this post on Andrea's blog and you can purchase a gift certificate for a session fee and enjoy $50 in print credit. That is a $125 value for $75. Gift Certificate will be good through December 2011. Give as a gift or keep for yourself!

Contact Elizabeth to purchase your gift certificate or schedule a session:

elizabeth@ebaileyphotography.com, 205-276-7219

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Brina Bujkovsky / The Younique Boutique, inc.

Brina makes all sorts of heirloom quality hand painted ceramics, photo gifts, personalized name prints and more!

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Rebecca Falkins / Lia Sophia Jewelry Advisor

Rebecca is a Lia Sophia jewelry advisor and loves holding jewelry parties in ladies' homes! It is a fun night of games, trying on beautiful jewelry and eating yummy snacks. Lia Sophia jewelry is coated in rodium and gold so no allergies or tarnishing. All of their jewelry has a lifetime guarantee!

To book a party, just visit her website at www.liasophia.com/rebeccafalkins! We give so much to our hostesses as a thank-you for letting us enjoy your home.

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Sara Lohse / Purpose Driven Creations

Sara makes Sanity Sacs. A "Sanity Sac" is a hands-on discovery pillow that has many little treasures hidden inside of it, making it a self-contained toy perfect for traveling, waiting at the doctor's office, church, etc. These 5" x 7" fleece pillows have a clear viewing window, allowing the child to see the items in the bag... they are hidden amongst small poly-pellets. A laminated reference tag is attached (which includes pictures & a list of the items to be found). Great for ages 3-103!

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Libby Pritchett / Libby Pritchett Designs

Libby designs digital scrapbooking supplies that can be used to create layouts digitally or printed to make paper layouts or altered art. Her collection includes a range of products including papers, alphabets, element sets, templates, etc.

The calendar template shown on the left can be used with your choice of digital scrapbooking kits. This is perfect for month in review pages, monthly "to do" calendars, or even calendar Christmas gifts. The Advent Calendar on the right is pre-designed and can be simply printed and assembled!

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Shirley Ross / Close to My Heart Consultant

Shirley is an Independent Consultant for Close To My Heart stamping and scrapbooking supplies - and loving it! She is a self-proclaimed addict to all things papercrafting and loves to share what she learns with others. Her favorite Close to My Heart project uses a bleaching technique with stamps:

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Brittney Smith / Main Street Memories

Brittney makes and sells these cute personalized envelopes and notepads that make perfect gifts for teachers, friends, and family members.

Also, if you are thinking about a Walt Disney World Vacation or a Disney Cruise, she's an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner through Main Street Memories, and can help you book your vacation, make your reservations, plan your days, and give you some GREAT inside tips on how to make the MOST of your vacation! (No-Cost Service!)

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Andrea Steed / Signs by Andrea

Andrea makes personalized, hand-painted, weathered, wooden signs. Each sign is made-to-order, so it can say and look however YOU want it to look. Popular choices are last names, monograms, and favorite quotes. - Gallery of Signs - Sign Ideas - Win a Free Sign!

* Also check out her "Crafter-for-Hire" page of other personalized crafty products!

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Lisa Tanner / Etsy Shop

Lisa makes fun, glittery decorations for your tree, your front door, your mantel - where ever!!

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By Hand Boutique

For those who are local in Alabama, you might want to check out the By Hand Boutique market next weekend - November 12 & 13th at Community Presbyterian Church in Moody, AL. Several of my favorite friend/artists are going to be showcasing their work and selling all kinds of fun goodies!

• Virginia Tillery


• Shelley Burkett


• Christine Ousley


• Lisa Tanner


• and many other talented artists...

 

Washington DC---the trip--post ONE of several :)

(pardon in advance! lots of photos here!)

We took off, bright and early......and the day started with a bang! Let me tell ya!

Our flight was at 6:15 am. We live about 40 minutes from the airport....and so we had planned to leave the house at approx. 4:30 am. My mom was coming to take us...on her way to work!

I woke up FRANTICALLY, to her text.....that I received at 4:34 AM!!!!!!! Are you kidding!!! We've overslept! NO WAY!!!

Needless to say, I was thankful when she arrived (about 5 minutes later) as she helped me throw everything together in a scattered whirlwind! AH!!!!!!

So, we mad-dashed to the airport, and Thank you Jesus! I am not sure how....but we made it with about 10 minutes to spare before boarding! WHEW!

After arriving in Baltimore, we took the Amtrak over to DC! What a fun experience! We have always talked about taking a family train trip somewhere, anywhere, just to have the experience of the train, so we were super excited for this!

I love the look of this. Walking, talking, taking it all in, good troopers...with the suitcase! This "from behind" look is the view I have a lot, and I like it. I like to just watch them all together. Dorky, I know. I'm ok with it.
Yes, here we are! Union Station. The hub! Exciting!


Dork. I know. I love the Subway. Well, they call it Metro. Regardless. It's so...city-like :)

I just love this one....look at all those stops on here!


We just thought it was too cool, when we got off the Metro at our stop.....and the State Line was right there! LOVE!
And, then, this! HELLO! Can you say Tallest Escalator EVER!!! It went on forever!
We dropped our bags at our Hotel, and then we were off to explore the city. No time to stop and check out the cool hotel beds (cause you know my kids love that!)...we had LOTS to see!!! So, off we went!


We got off at the Smithsonian stop, and out we popped up into the National Mall! Lovely! I just LOVED how the sun was coming thru this Smithsonian Building. So beautiful.

Happy Happy Boys! Here at the Nations Capitol. Very cool. Just very cool to say you've been here!

More to come.................