Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe Book Review and $10 Family Christian Giveaway

Disclosure: I am a proud Family Christian Blogger.  I was provided with a free copy of Miracle At The Higher Grounds Cafe to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Max Lucado is one of my favorite non-fiction Christian authors.  I love reading his encouraging words to help maneuver all the ups and downs of daily life.  He constantly reminds us that we need to trust God.  When offered the chance to review a book of fiction by Max Lucado, I anxiously accepted!

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe is a fictional story about Chelsea Chambers.  After a very public break up with her NFL star husband, Chelsea starts serving up coffee and sweets at the Higher Grounds Cafe.  Although her plans are good and her cup cakes are great, things are not going her way.  Chelsea needs a miracle!  Just when things look like they are getting worse, a mysterious stranger shows up and things really get interesting at the Higher Grounds cafe!

This book has a LOT going on.  I could feel for Chelsea and her children as she tries to help them deal with the changes brought on by the break up.  She wants to make everything work, the business and her new life, but as hard as she tries, she cannot do it alone! It can be hard when you feel like you only have yourself to count on.  Maybe this stranger will be of some help?  What?  You thought I was going to tell you everything?  NOPE!

If you could ask God one question, what would you ask?  I have done a lot of thinking about that and I still am not sure.  The customers at the Higher Grounds Cafe got the opportunity to ask via the "God Blog."   One Question!

Does it leave you wanting more?  Good.  Check out the book and you'll see that Max Lucado can not only write non-fiction, he can also move our thinking heaven bound with his fiction!

A huge thank you to Family Christian for this book, and for the $10 appreciation certificate they have offered as a giveaway.  One lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces will win, and they can buy anything they would like at Family Christian!  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below!

Enter the Garden Lites “Surprisingly Delicious” Contest

Disclosure:  No compensation was received for this post!

Getting your family to eat their vegetables just got easier and best of all, it does not mean you have to sacrifice flavor. Garden Lites Muffins, the delicious vegetable company encourages people to see what happens when delicious meets vegetables! They come in great tasting flavors like Chocolate, Banana Chocolate Chip, Blueberry Oat, and a line of kids Nickelodeon character muffins like Ninja Power Muffins and SpongeBob Square Pants Chocolate Krabby Patty.

It’s easy to enter the Garden Lites “Surprisingly Delicious” contest.  Simply share your photos capturing the surprise moment when they see how delicious vegetables can be. Send two photos showing before they try the muffins and then their surprise reaction when they learn that the first ingredient in these delicious muffins is vegetables.  You can enter HERE!

Fifty finalists, chosen by Garden Lites, will receive “surprise” packages of Garden Lites and free product coupons and Two Grand prize winners will win a $500 gift card plus an assorted supply of Garden Lites products for one year. (Approximate retail value of $250).

The fifty finalists will be selected by Garden Lites and posted on the Garden Lites website and Facebook page by May 20th, 2015. Fans can then vote for any one of the fifty finalists in the Garden Lites People’s Choice vote from May 20th to June 10th.  Winners announced June 30, 2015
The entrant with the most votes will be selected as the “People’s Choice” winner, and will be one of the two grand prize winners.  The second grand prize winner will be selected from the remaining fifty by the Garden Lites Judging Panel.

When Calls the Heart Season 2 Premiering April 25 - Review and Season 1 Giveaway

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

My daughter and I watch a LOT of movies on the Hallmark Channel.  I will admit that we are both huge suckers for love stories, heartwarming movies, and movies and TV shows that are "period" pieces.  One of our favorite shows to watch together is When Calls the Heart!  We loved season 1 and were thrilled when we were offered the chance to preview season 2.  Kat and I are proud #Hearties and we think you'd love it too!

Never heard of When Calls the Heart?  Have you been under a rock?  LOL  Just kidding!

About the series:
The series is inspired by Janette Oke’s bestselling book series about the Canadian West. “When Calls the Heart” tells the captivating story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her high society life, who receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small coalmining town where life is simple, but often fraught with challenges. Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, a wife and mother whose husband, the foreman of the mine, along with a dozen other miners, has just been killed in an explosion. 

The newly widowed women find their faith is tested when they must go to work in the mines to keep a roof over their heads. Elizabeth charms most everyone in Coal Valley, except Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) who believes Thatcher’s wealthy father has doomed the lawman’s career by insisting he be assigned in town to protect the shipping magnate’s daughter. Living in a turn of the century coal town, Elizabeth will have to learn the ways of the frontier if she wishes to thrive in the rural west on her own.

If you are like us and you enjoy the old west (US or Canadian), you'll enjoy this series!  There is something for everyone in When Calls the Heart.  There was nothing that I would be ashamed to watch with my grandma or with small kids!  I can say this this is my pleasure...nothing Guilty about it!  I will not reveal anything about season two, because I do not want to ruin a single minute!  All you need to know is that it takes up where season one ended!  Well worth checking out!

Would you like to win Season 1 of When Calls the Heart?  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below!  Please note:  Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification

The Adventures of Pajama Girl Book Review & Giveaway #PajamaGirl

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a copy of The Adventures of Pajama Girl in exchange for my honest review.  Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/ Flyby Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again-Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Ever since I was a small child I loved to read!  I learned to read when I was about 4 and have been a voracious reader ever since.  I am thrilled that I passed down the love of reading to my family.  No matter how old they get, I love reading to my kids all the time.  I've even been known to read to Chefy!  Recently, we were sent The Adventures of Pajama Girl to review and my girls loved it! (Even my 16 yr old enjoyed the story!!)  

Book Details:

Hardcover, 32 pages

Publisher: Worthy Kids (March 3, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1617954721

ISBN-13: 978-1617954726

About The Book

A cute, illustrated story about a girl's imagination and her magical pajamas. In this adventure, Ellie's cupcake pajamas pave the way for she and her Sis to take a journey to a land filled with all kinds of sweet treats. Their journey quickly turns into an adventure to help the Cupcake Queen find the missing sprinkles needed for her coronation ceremony. In searching for the missing sprinkles, Ellie and Sis uncover a life lesson that is important for every child to learn.

The life lessons that are learned in this story are very important.  You learn about greed, stealing, and about how being jealous are very bad things.  Everyone is jealous every now and then, but when it is acted upon, things go bad!  No girl I know turns down the chance to read a book about a queen, and a cupcake queen is just the icing on the cake.  (LOL)  The illustrations in this book are adorable and my girls have asked for this book to be read every night in the last 2 weeks!  I have found that they are using their imaginations and are creating their own stories about the things on their pajamas!  

Click HERE to download some very cute activity sheets for your Pajama Girls!  Would you like to win a copy of this book for your child?  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below!

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 - In Theaters April 17th! Prize Pack Giveaway #BlartRidesAgain 5 Winners

Disclosure:  We will receive the same prize pack as a thank you for posting this giveaway.  We ONLY post about products we believe in.  Any opinions stated are honest and are those of the Shelly's Bits and Pieces family.  PR company is responsible for prize fulfillment.

Chefy is a huge Kevin James fan and he made sure that Kat and I went with him to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop.  The movie was very funny!  We were excited when we learned they were making a sequel, and can hardly believe it opens in a few more days!  YES!  On April 17th, Kevin James brings Paul Blart back to the big screen!  We plan to go see the movie opening weekend.  It is a great way for our family to spend some time together.

           Genre: Comedy      

In Theaters April 17, 2015        

Rated: PG

Want to know more about the movie?  Here ya go!  It’s been six years since Paul Blart gained fame for his daring rescue of the West Orange Pavilion Mall, and while some things have changed, you can count on Blart to know what’s truly important.  “He takes security very seriously,” says Kevin James, the funnyman who brought the character to life.  “Like he says, ‘I didn’t choose security; security chose me.’  Let’s face it – the ride is always gonna be bumpy for Blart and he might screw up along the way, but he’ll never give up – which is why we root for him to win in the end.” 
In Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, the hero is finally getting a vacation: he’s being recognized for everything he’s done to keep the shoppers safe with an all-expenses-paid trip to a security convention in Las Vegas.  Everyone is telling Blart to take it easy and get some R-and-R, but security never takes a holiday… and when Blart discovers a criminal threat to the hotel, America’s favorite security guard is ready to spring into action. 

To celebrate the arrival of this much awaited sequel, we are able to giveaway a very nice prize pack! Five lucky Shelly's Bits & Pieces readers will win a movie inspired "Superhero" tee shirt, Security Badge Sticker, and a fanny pack similar to the one Paul Blart wears.  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below!

Ozeri Savore Pepper Mill Grinder Review

Disclosure:  Ozeri provided me with a free Ozeri Savore Pepper Mill Grinder to facilitate my honest review.  No monetary compensation was received.

One thing that is a must for Chefy at every meal is pepper.  I swear that man black tops his food until it is often unrecognizable.  No, it is not to cover up the taste.  I can cook!  He inherited his love of pepper from his dad!  Although he will eat regular, pre-ground black pepper when we go out to eat, when we are home, he must have fresh ground pepper.

We received the Ozeri Savore Pepper Mill Grinder to review and it was misplace until recently.  (Any questions?  Read my Ozeri Fan review)  Our old pepper mill had only one setting and there are times when Chefy prefers his pepper to be a different grind.  I prefer a finer grind than Chefy does, so lots of times, I would eat the plain old pepper and he would have the freshly ground.  With our new Ozeri Savore Pepper Mill Grinder, we no longer have to worry about that.  The grinder has 3 preset grind levels!  

About the Ozeri Savore:  The most advanced Electric Pepper Grinder offered, the new Ozeri Savore features a new front-side adjustable ceramic grinding mechanism with 3 preset grind levels so that you never have to invert your grinder again. The Ozeri Savore Electric Grinder is the ultimate accompaniment to any dinning setting where a touch of fresh pepper (or salt) goes a long way. Designed to operate effortlessly, the new Savore combines a new front-side adjustable ceramic switch with a battery powered motor for push-button effortless dispensing of pepper (or salt). Marketed almost exclusively by word of mouth, the battery powered Savore consistently wins applause with its ability to grind peppercorns, salt and spices. The Savore Electric Grinder by Ozeri also boasts an ultra-soft non-slip grip with a finger-print resistant coating. The Savore requires no assembly and runs on 6 AAA batteries (not included).

I love that this pepper grinder is push button.  No twisting needed!  It is very easy to see how much pepper you have left, so you know when you need to refill.  Replacing the batteries was easy too.  It took 6 AAA batteries, which was more than I expected, but the Ozeri Savore works so well, that didn't matter!  The soft, non-slip grip that makes using this grinder extremely easy.   We are very happy with our new pepper mill grinder and are planning to purchase one of these grinders for our sea salt too!

You can purchase your own Ozeri Savore Pepper Mill Grinder at Amazon! 

Ozeri Ultra Wind 42″ Adjustable Oscillating Tower Fan Review

Disclosure:  We received an Ozeri Ultra Wind 42″ Adjustable Oscillating Tower Fan to facilitate an honest review.  No monetary compensation was received!  All opinions stated are those of the Shelly's Bits & Pieces family.

My mother always says that I am one of the most hot natured people she has ever known.  I am rarely cold, and I sleep with a fan on year round.  The fact that I started going through menopause when I was in my mid 30's didn't help the situation any, and here I am at 48 and am still having my own private summer, year round!  A fan is a necessity to me, and the only problem I have is finding one that actually does everything it claims to do!

Several months ago, I was offered the chance to review the Ozeri Ultra Wind 42" Oscillating Tower fan.   Designed for 5 Star resorts, the new Ozeri Ultra 42" Tower Fan boasts a sophisticated and stylish ultra-slim design and one of the most impressive feature sets among tower fans. The Ozeri Ultra Tower Fan's stylish design complements and enhances room decor, and its precise engineering generates more air velocity than competing models while emitting less noise on a foot-per-minute to dB basis. Setting a new benchmark for noiseless airflow, the Ozeri Ultra Tower Fan operates at 3 whisper-quiet speed settings and oscillates 90 degrees for timely relief on a sweltering summer day or for refreshing circulation all year long. The Ozeri Ultra Tower Fan also includes 3 selectable airflow patterns designed to foster sleep, relaxation and comfort. All of the Fan's features, including a room temperature display, are illuminated on the Fan's multi-colored bright LED screen, and can be activated via the included enhanced-range remote or via the built-in control panel. The Ozeri Ultra Tower Fan also features a 12 hour timer that can be programmed in 1 hour increments with push-button ease, and ships included with a removable extension column that adjusts the Fan's height from 32" to 42".

I read about the fan and was so excited to try it!  Fast forward to Friday, April 10th...I went into the attic (which I NEVER do) to put away some winter coats and sitting right in front of my wardrobe was a box that was holding my (wait for it) Ozeri tower fan!!  I have no idea when it came in, nor do I know who placed it in the attic.  Both Chefy and Kat claim ignorance!

I brought the box downstairs and I was stunned at how easy it was to assemble!  It was basically assembled in the box.  All I had to do was screw in the extension column and the base!  Super EASY!
It only took me a few minutes and my new fan was cooling me off!  It has a remote control that I keep on my end table in the living room.  I love that I can turn on, change speed and setting, and turn on/off the oscillating function.  The fan has a thermometer which I dearly love.  I always wondered if it was truly hot in a room, or if it was a hot flash.  Now I can find out without asking anyone else if they are hot!  One thing I was concerned about was how quiet the fan actually was!  I had no reason to worry because the fan is whisper quiet.  Many of the old fans we used were so loud that I had to turn up the volume on the TV.  I don't have to do that anymore thanks to my Ozeri Ultra Wind 42" Adjustable Oscillating Tower Fan!!

I love all the icons on the LCD screen, and when you use the Ozeri Ultra Wind 42″ Adjustable Oscillating Tower Fan in a bedroom, the night mode function will keep all icons on the LCD screen dimmed except for the moon icon.  This was perfect for me, because the least bit of light can keep me awake at night.  I am very thankful to Ozeri for the fan they sent for me to review.  It is awesome!  I wholeheartedly recommend this fan to anyone who is in the market for one.  It does everything it claims to do and would be the perfect fan to keep your home cool this spring and summer!

Dial Miracle Oil Hand Soap Review and Giveaway

Disclosure:  The Dial brand provided me with a sample of Dial Miracle Oil Hand Soap to facilitate my honest review as part of the Purex Insiders blogger program. Free product did in no way influence my opinion.  No monetary compensation was received for my post!

As I have said before, we go through a lot of hand soup around here.  We have tried LOTS of brands over the years from the high end store brands to national brands sold at the grocery store.  My preference is toward the nicely scented hand soaps, but sometimes they dry out my hands.  As a member of the Purex Insiders, I received a bottle of Dial Miracle Oil Liquid Hand Soap Infused with Marula Oil.

About the soap:  New Dial Miracle Oil hand Soap brings nourishment and skin hydration to your hand washing experience.  Let the smooth feel of Miracle Oil gently remove dirt from your hands and leave them feeling smooth and refreshed.  Miracle Oil is infused with Marula Oil and uses Micro Oil technology to nourish and deeply hydrate your skin while protecting it from the damaging free radicals!

Dial Miracle Oil Hand Soap offered refreshing moisture to my skin and it did not dry out my hands.  This hand soap is the perfect family soap, because it is mild enough for kids to use.  The Shelly's Bits and Pieces family loves the new Dial Miracle Oil Liquid Hand Soap.  It joins the other awesome hand soaps made by the Dial company!

Would you like to try this hand soap for yourself? Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below and you could win!  What are you waiting for?  You can't win if you don't enter!

Purex Crystals ScentSplash Review & Giveaway #CrystalsScentSplash

Disclosure:  The Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex Crystals ScentSplash to facilitate my honest review as part of the Purex Insiders blogger program. Free product did in no way influence my opinion.  No monetary compensation was received for my post!

Between being married to a chef and having a teenage daughter, I wash a LOT of laundry.  Chefy's clothes often smell of food and grease and that scent is overwhelming.  Now that Kat has a part time job, her uniform has to be cleaned and it also smells of food.  Although I use a scented detergent, sometimes the fresh scent just doesn't last past the dryer.  I want something that infuses a long lasting fresh scent into the clothes.  I have found just that with Purex Crystals Scent Splash!

We received the Fresh Spring Waters scent to review and the smell is divine.  Kat first noticed the scent when I put her freshly washed sheets on her bed.  She loved the smell.  The scent is not too overpowering, so Chefy didn't smell girly all day.  I noticed that our linen closet smells so nice now, because the towels that were washed in the ScentSplash have freshened up the closet with their scent. Purex Crystals ScentSplash is available in three wonderful scents, Fresh Spring Waters, Fresh Lavender Blossom, and Fresh Mountain Breeze.  I wholeheartedly recommend Purex Crystals ScentSplash to help eliminate laundry odors!

Want to try it for yourself?  Two lucky Shelly's Bits & Pieces readers will each receive a coupon for a FREE bottle of Purex Crystals ScentSplash!  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below!

Enjoy Easter Goodies from Mike and Ike

Disclosure:  We received free product to facilitate our honest review.  No monetary compensation was received.

MIKE AND IKE® Easter Treats are available in a 5 oz. box sporting the season’s signature pastels, and make the perfect sweet gift to give to family and friends.
HTC 14oz Jelly Beans MIKE AND IKE® Easter Treats blend feature flavor favorites including Grape, Pineapple Banana, Strawberry, Lemon Lime and Cherry and are available in a 5 oz. box for an SRP of $1.00- $1.39. Additional Easter varieties include MIKE AND IKE® Assorted Fruits Jelly Beans, MIKE AND IKE TANGY TWISTER® Jelly Beans and HOT TAMALES® Cinnamon Jelly Beans.  The 14 oz. Jelly Bean bags range in SRP from $2.50 - $3.00.
 “People look forward to spending Easter with loved ones, and sweets are a big part of the celebration,” says Koren Ivie, Brand Manager for MIKE AND IKE® and HOT TAMALES® candy.  “We are confident consumers will be glad they chose MIKE AND IKE® Easter Treats as well as MIKE AND IKE® and HOT TAMALES® Jelly Beans to share with family and friends!”

Easter is here and there is nothing yummier than some delicious jelly beans,  Mike and Ike Tangy Twister jelly beans are my new favorites!  They are soft and chewy and they are wonderfully tart.  The bag we received was completely finished within 2 days.  Everyone loved the taste.  We even  added some of the Mike and Ike Tangy Twister jelly beans to our sugar cookies...DELISH!!  I'm hoping that I can continue to find these jelly beans after Easter!

Our daughter grabbed the box of Mike and Ike Easter Treats and she and a friend devoured them while watching a movie.  She loves the great fruit flavors and that they are nice and chewy.  Kat regularly purchase Mike and Ike candies, having the Easter designed box was cute and would be perfect for Easter Baskets.

What did you put in your Easter baskets?  Have you every tried Mike and Ike products?  Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!!

Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Review and Giveaway #PurexInsiders

Disclosure:  The Dial brand provided me with free product to facilitate my honest review as part of the Purex Insiders blogger program. No monetary compensation was received for my post! Giveaway coupons are sponsored by Dial.

My household goes through more hand soap than any other family I know.  I must admit that I am a stickler for making sure my hands are washed and I remind others constantly!  Recently we were sent Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub hand soap to review and it is wonderful.  This hand soap is the newest member of the Dial Boutique Collection hand soap line and it does feel and smell awesome! One thing that makes this hand soap a little different is that it contains micro scrubbers to deep clean your hands and leave them feeling smooth.  Love it!

Chefy really liked the micro scrubbers because it really removed the greasy feeling from his hands after he made hamburger patties.  I really like it because it quickly removed all the dirt from my hands and fingernails after I was gardening.  My entire family agrees that it smells heavenly too!

We have argued as to where the Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub hand soap belongs.  Kat put it in her bathroom the day we received it.  Chefy snagged it and moved it to the kitchen later that night, and I finally moved it to our master bath!  It's mine!  I love how soft and smooth my hands feel after using this hand soap, and the scent lingers for a while too!

Would you like to try this product?  One lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces reader will win a coupon for a FREE bottle!  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below!