BigMarker.com Free Sign Up Until March 1st!

Here's a site that I feel will prove beneficial to those looking to create, or improve, their on-line community.  Take advantage of this incredible offer, even if you don't have a concrete plan in place.  


BigMarker.com (www.bigmarker.com), the social network for Communities, is having a giveaway of lifetime proportions. Anyone who creates a Private Community on BigMarker before March 1st, 2012 will retain that Community for life, free of charge.  On March 1st, 2012 the monthly fee becomes $19.95.  Whether members wish to use a Private Community now or later, anyone who upgrades before March 1^st will keep the Private Community, free of charge, forever.

BigMarker is ideal for Communities attempting to make a difference on a budget:

• Meet anytime in the Virtual Conference Room
• Meet face-to-face, one-on-one, one-on-many, or many-on-many
• Streamline project management by creating, assigning, and prioritizing tasks
• Share files
• Touch base regularly, outside of a Conference, with the Community Bulletin
• Chart progress with the Task Timeline and Community Calendar
• Send Community newsletters with updates and announcements
• Send Kudos to encourage and thank fellow members

Why not sign on today, free of charge, then organize your community at your leisure?  It's better than saying "I should have!" and signing on later for $19.95 a month.


(*disclaimer:  I was not compensated in any way for this information.  I just thought it useful and wanted to share.)

A Thought

Yep.  ;->

Legal Assistance In Canada

For my friends in the lovely land of Canada I would like to share with you information on how to find lawyers in Barrie , Ontario.  The law firm of Stewart Esten provides services in the areas of Family Law, Wills & Estates, Real Estate Law and other capacities of judicial guidance.

Stewart, Esten has been serving members of their community since 1871.  They are one of the oldest firms in Simcoe County and offer a full range of legal services which include Employment Law and Business Law.  They also take pride is caring for their community by their active involvement in community service organizations and local institutions.

When you visit their site you will find complete, comprehensive information on the firm’s team of lawyers, their education, their past work and how they can help you in your current situation.  They say "We're here to help" and they reinforce that by providing a thorough site which consists of lawyer profiles along with their personal contact information.  If you have questions, they want to help.  If you are in need of legal services of Barrie Lawyers look into the firm of Stewart, Esten.

Baking With Betty Crocker

I'm having fun in the kitchen today!

I do enjoy baking but I don't usually provide myself the time to start it all from scratch.  I begin with a packaged mix then add little bits of "this" and "that" to make it more my own.  Today I've tried two Betty Crocker mixes and they have passed my ultimate taste tester, my husband.

To start I made the Betty Crocker Coffee Cake mix with Cinnamon Streusel topping.
 

It turned out light and fluffy with a nice blend of zippy cinnamon and sweet, sugary streusel.  The directions asked for the ingredients to be layered which, I think, is a tasty way to go for a coffee cake.  I feel this kept the cake moist with yummy flavor through out every bite.

My second go at baking today was with the Betty Crocker Cookie Brownie Supreme Bars.  YOWZAA!

We're talking a layer of brownie batter topped with dollops of cookie dough.  Nothing wrong with this combo!

If you are looking for a tasty and quick treat for your family and/or friends, Betty Crocker has wonderful offerings to help make your gathering special.


(*disclosure:  I was not reimbursed in any way for this review.)

The best Easter gifts for small children

As soon as children are old enough, they begin to look forward with relish to many of the holidays that are on the calendar. One of the most anticipated days is of course, the Christmas season, and after that, birthdays are a lot of fun to look forward to also. Another holiday that has a lot of anticipation that comes along with it is the Easter season. One of the reasons for this, especially for the smaller children are the brightly colored Easter gift baskets that seem to appear as if by magic every year delivered courtesy of the Easter bunny.

There is however much more to the Easter holiday than the traditions of wearing brightly colored clothes or even the Easter gift baskets. There are those people who choose to celebrate the holiday as one of the holiest days of the year and there are others who celebrate this as well as the more secular parts of the day. This not only involves the Easter gift baskets but it also involves things such as the traditional Easter egg hunt and the visit with the Easter bunny which has become as popular as the annual visit with Santa Claus at Christmas.

There are many items with which you can fill the baskets of the small children that you are going to be spending the day with. The most convenient part is that the older the children are the more creative you can choose to be with the kinds of gifts that you fill their baskets with. As children grow their personalities develop and with time you will be able to learn all of their likes and dislikes which will leave you in a great place for knowing what it is that they would want whether it is for Christmas birthdays or even Easter. Knowing the kinds of things that the person likes also goes a long way towards showing that you know them.

For many of the small children things like picture books or coloring books and crayons are items that are very popular and also allow children to learn vital skills like hand eye coordination as well as their letters and numbers. Many parents are happier for their children to receive gifts which help them to learn the vital skills that they need in order to do well in school rather than toys that they will outgrow eventually. There are many different ideas that people have for gift ideas and the opinion that you will get largely depends on the person that you are asking. Everyone has different ideas of what the proper idea for gifts are.

No matter what time of the year it is it is still important to put thought into the kinds of gifts that you decide to give. The thought that you put into the gift that you give is something that tells the person that they are cared for by you. It is also just as important to remember that it is the thought that counts.

Newman's Own Organics - Newman O's

I got her!

I put some Newman O's in my 11 year old's lunch box the other day and didn't say anything about it.  She is incredibly picky with her food and I didn't want to share with her that the treat in her lunch box wasn't a super sticky sweet Oreo, even though that's exactly what it looked like.When she came home I looked into her lunch bag to see... empty containers.  'Lily' I said 'What did you think of the cookies?'.  Her enthusiastic response?  "YUM!"  I am thrilled with this outcome.

My daughters have been on a slight sugar over-load lately and I'm trying to bring their taste buds back to some kind of normal.  It's like backing off of salt, you need to train your tongue (it can be done).  We've recently tried cookies from Newman's Own Organics and our family is very happy with these tasty treats.

My first taste found Newman O's to be crunchy and sweet but not as sickeningly sweet as Oreo's.  (I don't mean to offend lovers of Oreo's but hey, they are just too sweet for me).  Newman O's are made with pure organic ingredients and taste great with a glass of milk (click here for ingredients).  If you need a little more chocolate in your day try the chocolate cream filled Newman O's.  Delicious.

If you have children that are craving super sugary treats, try some Newman O's to help bring their taste buds back to normal.


(*disclosure:  I received Newman O's for review.  These tasty opinions are truthfully my own.)

General Mills & Atari Giveaway!

I'm wearing my hair to look like Molly Ringwald, Duran Duran is on my Walkman and after school my friends and I want to hang out at the arcade.  Quick, what year is it?  For me, it was 1984 and life was one big teen drama after the other.  (Just the way I wanted it, I do believe ;->).  There was something almost peaceful about going to the arcade because all I had to concentrate on was the game and not school or personal drama.  I loved Centipede and Frogger.  Classics.

Atari is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and General Mills cereals is getting in on the celebration.  You can find specially marked boxes of General Mills cereal that have special games and Atari trivia.  Those participating Big G cereals include: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cheerios® (18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz.).

Thanks to MyBlogSpark I get to share a special Atari/General Mills cereal prize pack with one of my lucky readers.  The prize pack includes:

• 2) boxes of participating Big G cereals  (prize pack may differ from those pictured above)
• $10 Target gift card
• A free download for “Atari 80 Classic Games In 1”

If you would like a chance to win, enter through the handy dandy Rafflecopter.  (If all you see are the words "Read More" please click to be taken to Rafflecopter.)

Looking Around

When you are ready for a move how do you choose where you'll go?  Most often it's not up to you, it could be a new job offer, or family members that draw you to your next location.  But for those times when you can throw your fate to the winds of change, and see what location just feels right, it's fun to check out what's available on-line for Calgary rentals.

When I get the idea that maybe Canada is where we should be, I visit rentcalgary.com and see where my daydreams take me.  I've looked for vacation homes and hotels and have found a wonderful selection and complete information on properties available for rent.  All you need to do is decide which area of Calgary you wish to look into and they will show homes, town homes and apartments that are ready for you.

You are provided with images of the properties, amenities and even square footage information.   

If you're in the vicinity of Canada, or feeling a draw to the Great White North, you’ll find this website a great resource for Calgary rentals. 

Nonni's Biscotti Review & Giveaway!

 I enjoy a good Biscotti.  A tasty, sweet, crunchy treat with my tea or coffee can be so delightful.  However it can also be slightly painful when you find yourself with a biscotti cookie that is so hard it hurts your mouth.  I was slightly trepidatious when given the opportunity to try this brand but with my first bite I was so pleased with the texture I was able to enjoy every single tasty bite.  Nonni's Biscotti is delicious!

I'm not the only family member who enjoys these sweet treats, my husband's hand was found in a bag of the classic biscotti just the other night. Busted! Each serving of 4 bites holds 130 calories and 3 grams of protein so it's not such a naughty treat after all.

And my girls have requested the Toffee Almond flavor in their lunchboxes.  Individually wrapped with 110 calories and 2 grams of protein each I feel it's a fine sweet treat to perk up their lunch time.








With over 10 flavors including; Caramel Latte, chocolate Decadence, and Limone Biscotti you're sure to find a flavor that's truly tasty.   And how about this?  I have a wonderful giveaway from Nonni's Biscotti just for my Ann Again... and again Reviews readers.  $25.00 worth of Nonni's Biscotti for one lucky reader.  Delicious!  Enter through Rafflecopter.  Good luck :->

~If Rafflecopter doesn't appear at the end of this post please click "Read More" to enter the giveaway.

(*disclosure:  I was sent product for my review.  My opinions are truthfully my own.)

Happy Valentine's Day

Debussy "Arabesque, No. 1 Piano Solo"  (animation version 2)

I hope you shared big hugs and heard the words "I love you" today.

CheapesTees.com Review

I am pretty much a t-shirt and jeans gal.  Most days I feel a quality short-sleeve, or long-sleeved, white t-shirt is a good foundation and all you need after that is a great sweater or scarf and you're good to go.  I'm always on the look out for a t-shirt that isn't too thin, has a nice shape and is slightly fitted at the waist.  I've found a great selection and wonderful prices at CheapesTees.com.

Yep, this is grey.  Mine's - surprise! - white

I received the Women's Bella Long-Sleeved T-Shirt and am very happy with the quality.  It comes in 11 different colors and is priced at $10.64. (Additional for 2XL)





 

The shoulder's are well fitted and the lines and stitching are nicely done.  And the length!  Oh my goodness, I have a long torso and it's not so easy to find tops that are long enough, however the Bella t-shirt is a comfortable body length.  Also, the Bella white t-shirt is thick enough that you can't see your bra.  And for those of us that wear white t-shirts, you know that's not easy to find in the lower priced range t-shirt.

My teenage daughter has tried the Junior's LAT Junior V-Neck T-Shirt.  This style comes in 8 different colors and is priced at $6.94.  (Additional for 2XL.)








She's given her ultimate approval of "Yeah.  I like it".  Ah, 14.  Isn't it fun? ;->  I made sure to get one size up with her shirt due to the fact that it's 100% Cotton and I use the dryer for all our clothes.  (Yes, even for some things that say "Dry Clean Only".  I know, I know. tsk tsk.)

I am so pleased with the quality and price from CheapesTees.com.  You never know with t-shirts and CheapesTees.com is a great find!


(*disclosure:  I have received two shirts for review.  These opinions are truthfully my own.)

Chuao Chocolatier - Win A Trip To San Diego!

Chocolate. Rich, smooth, delicious chocolate.  Anyone interested? ;->

Award-winning Chuao Chocolatier is the first Venezuelan Chocolatier based in the United States. Master Chef Michael Antonorsi and his brother Richard Antonorsi are pioneering “fusion chocolate”, creating unusual and delicious flavors using their special blend of premium chocolate and fresh natural ingredients.  I had my taste buds blown away with their bar of potato chips in chocolate.  Talk about two ingredients I would never put together!  Fantastic. And their Love Child bonbon, blending a port wine drenched dried strawberry in a chocolate ganache, put me in the happiest of moods.

Would you like to win a trip for two to San Diego?

Win a trip for two to San Diego where you will spend two nights at the glamorous La Jolla Shores Hotel, enjoy dinner at the beachfront THE SHORES restaurant, and attend a private wine and chocolate pairing event with Master Chef Michael Antonorsi of Chuao Chocolatier.

You also will have a chance to win one of 14 Limited Edition Sweetheart Boxes filled with 22 signature Chuao Chocolatier bonbons featuring delectable, aphrodisiac ingredients.  This sweepstakes is being supported by bloggers only, so one reader of Ann Again... and again Reviews has a great chance of winning! (This contest ends February 14^th.)
 

For those that would like to enjoy delicious creations from Chuao Chocolatier sooner than later use the code "BLOGGER" at www.chuaochocolatier.com  until Feb. 14, 2012 to receive 20% off your entire purchase.

 

Good luck!  Let me know if you win! 

(*disclosure:  I received product samples for my review.  My opinions are truthfully my own.  The contest is 100% supported by Chuao Chocolatier and all prizes are awarded by Chuao Chocolatier.)

Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks Prize Pack Giveaway!

 

I'm so glad that I get to share a delicious treat with 4 lucky readers of Ann Again... and again Reviews, Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks. Not only did I think they're tasty my girls, and their friends, liked them too.  Actually, I could safely say, they loved them.

Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks are made from real fruit concentrate of apple, pear, and cranberry juice.  Each pack contains 80 calories and is gluten free.  And, if your school participates in Box Tops For Education, Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks feature year round Double Box Tops.

These new snacks come in two flavors Berries & Cherries and Assorted Flavors.  My girls didn't have a favorite, they liked them both! Now, would you like a chance to win six (6) boxes - 3 of each flavor - of Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks? Sure you would!  I have 4 prize packs to giveaway.  Good luck!