This Full House Reviews

Book Review: The Good Life for Less by Amy Allen Clark

I first met Amy Clark at the first ever brand/blogger event hosted by Johnson and Johnson in 2008 and it didn't take me very long (or anyone else, having had the pleasure of hanging out with her for no more than 5 minutes, for that matter) to realize that Amy is just as engaging and emits this positive energy IRL as she does on her blog, Momadvice.com.

Truth be told, I had a little girl crush on Amy.  Honestly, in my eyes, she is the definition of a homemaker:  the woman cooks, knits and crafts the h-e-double hockey sticks out of...well...anything...and is still able to run a household, while sticking to a strict budget...while I, on the other hand, suffer from severe clumsiness and should NEVER be trusted with pointy objects or run anywhere, without access to a bathroom, close by.

 Still, it was her sharp wit and endless enthusiasm that drew me back to her blog, over and over again:  Amy NEVER fails to encourage her readers with practical and practicable advice.

The Good Life for Less: by my friend, Amy Clark

So, I was not surprised to learn that Amy was working on a book to share all that she's learned or that her gift of story-telling would also translate well to traditional print and was absolutely thrilled to receive a copy, for review:

The Looneyspoons Collection Cookbook: Featuring Food Network Canada's Janet & Greta Podleski

JanetandGreta.com

I was contacted by Greta Podleski, the author (along with her sister, Janet) of the #1 bestselling cookbook in Canada called “The Looneyspoons Collection,” asking me if I'd be interested in reviewing TLC.

Greta and Janet also host a healthy cooking show on Food Network Canada called Eat, Shrink & Be Merry and, considering I've blogged my desire to look into more healthy-type subjects, I emailed Greta back letting her know:  I think TLC would be a real good fit for This Full House.

I said good fit!  Get it? 

[sound of crickets, chirping]

Aaaaanyway, these awesome ladies were kind enough to send me a copy of their cookbook, noting:

The cookbook is big, 400 pages with 325 recipes and tons of gorgeous food photos, plus hundreds of healthy eating, weight-loss and anti-aging tips thanks to Janet, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.

As a woman of a certain age (no, NOT the stone-age, DAMMIT!) I could certainly use all the anti-aging tips I can get my dish-pan hands on (note to self:  get that stupid dishwasher fixed, already) dammit.

[who let those stupid crickets in the house, anyways?]

Alright, I get it.  It's never too late to try and keep fit, right?  RIGHT?  Riiiiiiiiight. 

Like, in the chapter entitled, "Shrink Your Muffin Top" sharing simple tips of cutting back (by half) my arch-nemesis...sugar...BOO!  HISS!...with the law of diminishing returns:

Foodie Tuesday: Food Photography - From Snapshots to Great Shots

I have been blogging for 9 years (yes, we had internet back then) and now that my kids are older (apparently, moms have nothing blog-worthy to say once their kid(s) enter kindergarten) most folks are curious to learn how I get my ideas.

I find inspiration in simple, every day things and often times refer to photographs to help me tell a story.

My kids know this an appreciate "a blog-worthy moment" when they see it:  eating a pear and finding a surprise inside, for example.

In her new book, Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots food and lifestyle photographer  Nicole Young shares the basics of learning the best ways to compose your pictures and, well, the book cover alone is an absolute work of art.

We received this book yesterday (thank you!) and...yes...I am THAT excited to tell you about it.

Horizon Healthy Families Community: LIVE CHAT! TODAY! Wednesday, March 14th (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST) Afternoon Book Chat

COME AS YOU ARE:  as you will be able to participate in this Afternoon Book Chat LIVE! and in real-time, right here, on this blog post TODAY at 1:00 p.m.!

Fabulous Flowers Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing with Melody J (comment #6) and pmj (comment #28) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

We are HUGE fans of Klutz.com at our house (not just because of the name, either!)

IMO, their activity books are perfect for those times when you find yourself in need of a break from replacing batteries, or just looking for some creative quiet time.

It's been raining for 3 days and my vegetable beds need weeding, badly.

Soooo...YES...this IS definitely one of those times!

This month, we received Fabulous Flowers by Anne Akers Johnson and learned how to create pretty paper flowers, too (no weeding, required!)

Book Review: Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go by Melisa Wells

Thanks to blogging, I had the pleasure of traveling to Chicago many times and it was during BlogHer '09 when I got the chance to meet one of my dearest friends, IRL.

Travel Guide author and Suburban Scrawl blogger, Melisa Wells.

I accompanied Melisa on a walking tour of Chicago and, while taking in the awesomeness of "the bean" and Millenium Park, she played a large part in helping me raise $5,000 for our local Ronald McDonald House here, in Jersey!

Because, it's how Melisa rolls.

It was also during this time when Melisa told me about a little book she's writing specifically for families traveling with teens and tweens:

ABOUT CHICKEN IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WON'T GO:  Within the pages is information on how to get around Chicagoland, the history of Chicago and, of course, the places themselves.  Detailed summaries of attractions -- museums, tours, shops, restaurants, parks and more -- include hours, admission, contact information, and special tips that will make outings even more worth while.

I received my copy, yesterday (thank you, Melisa) and, well, my youngest daughter showed my oldest daughter, who showed it to my middle girl and, well, I haven't seen it since.

That's okay, I personally know that Melisa's newest book (she also penned Remembering Ruby: For Families Living Beyond the Loss of a Pet) is totally worth the wait!

Besides my son has dibs on it next.

MY TAKE:  The name alone makes Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go: Nearly 200 Ways to Enjoy Chicagoland with Tweens and Teens worth a second look (you can visit ChickenInTheCar.com to learn more about the book) but, it's Melisa's writing, in her typical friendly and totally conversational tone, that makes this particular Chicago Travel Guide so awesome...just like her.

BONUS:  Melisa created a series of really cute videos for the book launch on May 24th (whoot!) feel free to visit Cruzing Chicagoland to check them out!

FINAL VERDICT:  6 years in the making, Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go is truly a work of heart and I am so, so very proud of my friend, Melisa!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House 

Disclosure:  I received a signed copy of this book as a gift from my dear friend and author, Melisa Wells.  However, I chose to write this review, so I could share the awesomeness of Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go, with online friends, too.  Contains affiliated links, however, no payment was received for this blog post.

The Help Movie Trailer

Although, it's not scheduled for release in theaters until August (dangit!) The Help was my favorite summer read from last year!

Hearing my excitement, not to mention concern when I first saw the trailer for the summer release of the movie version, my 17 year-old is now reading it, too.

Frankly, I grew very, very fond of Skeeter, Aibileen, Minny and even Hilly (sort of) and I read Kathryn Stockett's awesome book in 2 days (for me, that's quick) so, yeah, I was a little concerned about the casting on this one.

Until, I saw the trailer:

 

Thanks to Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard's fantastic teaser, August cannot get here quick enough.

In the meantime, I highly recommend adding The Help to this year's summer reading list, too.  Go ahead, I'll wait!

Disclosure:  Contains affiliated links -- no payment was received for this blog post.

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

The Klutz Guide to the Galaxy Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So, so happy to be sharing this awesome prize pack with Morgan (comment #56) Erin Cook (comment #66) and freebiegoddess (comment #40) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

We are HUGE fans of Klutz.com at our house (not just because of the name, either!) IMO, their activity books are perfect for those times when you find yourself in need of a break from replacing batteries, or just looking for some creative quiet time.

Today, ALL of four of my kids are back at school, after spending a very rainy week, indoors, did I mention, it rained, during spring break, ALL WEEK?!?

Soooo...YES...this IS definitely one of those times!

This month, we received The Klutz Guide to the Galaxy by Pat Murphy and the Scientists of Klutz Labs (HAH!) want to see?

Cookbooks for Kids: Teen Cuisine Book Review

Raising 2 teens and 2 tweens (yeah, I know, right?) I feel it safe to say that cooking with your kids is a wonderful adventure.

Getting them to eat, what I cook, now that they're getting older and can, you know, read labels, or understand animal anatomy a little better, not so much.

My 2 oldest girls, however, have recently expressed interest in wanting to cook dinner for the family, at least one night per week and I am MORE than willing to had over my wooden spoon, allowing them to go free range, in the kitchen.

I was contacted by the publicist for a new cookbook, Teen Cuisine by Matthew Locricchio and I'm thinking...YAY!...my turn -- sooooooo, what's for dinner?!?

Breaking the Silence of Abuse, Depression and Suicide

I find it difficult to talk about depression with my children -- my older kids, most especially -- no matter how strongly I empathize with their feelings, for fear of hurting, rather than helping.

Until, one of them mentions the word "suicide" and, well, as a parent of 2 teens and 2 tweens, there are a scant few parenting topics that actually cause the bile to rise into my throat.

I mean, how and when (if ever) do I tell them, "Yes, I have experienced suicidal depression," first hand?

Give Me a Little Kindle Skin!

In 2009, I wrote Love Means Never Having to Pay Full Price for the Parent Bloggers Network and was lucky enough to win an Amazon Kindle. 

BONUS!

Although, the PBN Network is no longer publishing (gosh, but I enjoyed writing for them) and there are many more electronic readers on the market, today (some, even prettier) my love for the Kindle is as strong as ever.

So, I've decided to gift myself for Valentine's Day and give my Kindle a makeover!    

Valentine’s Day-themed accessories include cool Kindle skins (pictured above) such as My Heart and The Kiss.

Don't have a Kindle?  No problem.

All you need is your email address and you can gift yourself your favorite novel to be read via one of the free Kindle apps for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android or Windows 7 Phone.

What?  There's no shame in gifting yourself.  Besides, my husband Garth (not his real name) is tired of taking stuff back and likes it better this way, too.

You can find this and other Valentine's Day themed Kindle Accesories on Amazon.com.

[P.S.:  Seems the skins available on Amazon.com fit 2nd generation Kindles, only, DAMMIT!  Still, they are pretty aren't they?]

[P.P.S.:  Just found a whole bunch of Kindle 1 Skins @DecalGirl and they now accept PayPal -- also, each skin includes a special code to download the file from GetMyWallpaper.com -- YAY!!!]

© 2003 - 2011 ThisFullHouse.com

Disclosure:  Affiliated links used.  No payment was received for this blog post. Just sharing stuff that I think other families (like mine) might like, too.

Foodie Tuesday: Chef Michael Symon's New Cookbook Giveaway - Pork, It's What's For New Year's Dinner!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: I am SO HAPPY to be able to share this with you, julieh (comment #106) please check your email for further instructions!

Steve and Me in Hungary 1966

Growing up, holidays were always special at our house.  My mom cooked BIG meals, I learned how to bake AWESOME Hungarian pastries, while listening to colorful stories from the "old country" my grandmother would tell.

For example, in Hungarian culture, it is customary to serve pork on New Year's Day.

Then again, I will never forget the year I fed my husband chicken.

Why?

According to my grandmother, it is REAL BAD juju, as the chicken scratches in a backward motion, which is associated with focusing on the past.

The pig roots forward, which is associated with getting ahead in the future.

Maybe it was just a bad year, or perhaps it was the chicken.

Still, every New Year’s Day since 1997, I've taken my grandmother's advice and only serve pork -- just in case.

I am very happy to partner with the National Pork Board in helping families (like mine) create their own festive meal with the Pork’s Perfect Pairing Holiday Giveaway, featuring recipes from ¹Chef Michael Symon's Live to Cook!

Deal Alert: Two Years for $20 on NWF Award-Winning Childrens Magazines

TFH Holiday Picks 2010

Every year, my inlaws would send their grandchildren birthday and holiday gift subscriptions and Your Big Backyard and Ranger Rick were two of my kids' favorite magazines (mine, too!)

The photography is absolutely breath-taking, the stories and activities are really a lot of fun and I was surprised to learn that the children's magazines offered by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) featured no advertising!

TODAY'S DEAL ALERT:  Visit the NWF Children's Magazine Center to get 2 year subscription for $20.00!

That's 10 issues per year for a total of 20 issues which, IMO, is NOT a bad deal, right?

© 2010 TFH Gone Shopping / This Full House Blog

[FWIW:  I'm a Founding Mother of NWF's Be Out There program - just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy nature, more - no payment was received for this blog post.]

Pride and Prejudice and (Internet) Zombies

TFH Holiday Picks 2010

My oldest girl (she's 17) is an avid Jane Austen fan and just about wore out the DVD of ¹Becoming Jane gifted to her, last Christmas AND she SWEARS it has nothing to do with the fact that James McAvoy stars as Jane's (played by Anne Hathaway) love interest, Tom Lefroy.

Uh-huh.

Actually, we BOTH salivate appreciate especially, the scenes featuring James good acting DANG, but that boy is SO gorgeous when we see it!

Imagine our surprise at receiving a beautifully bound leather case, addressed to us, along with a letter, from Elizabeth Bennet (lead character in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) detailing her efforts to "fight the dreadfuls" in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and on their internet page, courtesy of Quirk Books.

[eyes go wide]

Want to see what's inside?

[cue really eerie music]

Visitors to www.quirkclassics.com/zombies can navigate through and keep up with all character profiles and blogs, as well as the custom "Unmentionable Preparedness Kit" (pictured above) we received, featuring:

• Bleed-Banishing Balm
• Gnaw-be-Gone Purifying Poultice
• Reanimate and Perambulate Smelling Salt.
• A hardcover biography, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a tale inspired by Elizabeth Bennet's family struggle to defeat the unmentionables.

FINAL VERDICT:  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is NOT for everyone -- Author ¹Seth Grahame-Smith has taken the liberty of chronicling the Bennet family's trials and tribulations in fighting an outbreak of zombies, or "unmentionables" in 19th century England in gruesome detail -- however, I must admit, this book is a fun (albeit, totally twisted) play on the classic and would make a GREAT addition/edition to your "hard to buy for" gift list.

IF you can get passed all the eyeball rolling and head explosions, literally.

LINKY LOVE BYTES:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Webpage (includes FUN character profiles and links to Facebook pages and Mrs. Bennet's Mom blog...SNORT!):  http://www.quirkclassics.com/zombies/

UNMENTIONABLE PREPAREDNESS KIT ON ETSY:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/62339690/unmentionable-preparedness-kit?ref=pr_shop

Feel free to check out some other REALLY cool stuff we found by visiting our Holiday Picks for 2010!

Also, click here to check out some of our other favorite stuff we're sharing (when you have time, of course) or, check out my personal blog (ditto) and I'll love you forever :)

© 2003 - 2010 TFH Gone Shopping - This Full House Blog

DISCLOSURE:  No payment, or any other consideration, besides a sample of the featured product, was received for this blog post.

¹Indicates an affiliate link, which helps us make a little milk money when ordering stuff from it, THANKS!!!

Deal Alert: Borders Hosts "Super Classroom Days" for Classrooms in Need

TFH Holiday Picks 2010

December 4th and 5th, Borders will host Borders’ Super Classroom Days where customers making a purchase at any Borders store will immediately receive a $15 gift card to make a donation to a classroom of their choice on DonorsChoose.org.

Shoppers can double their donation by purchasing the #1 New York Times bestselling book, "Waiting for ‘Superman’: How We Can Save America’s Failing Public Schools," which includes another $15 gift card to DonorsChoose.org!

The gift cards can be used to fulfill requests made by public school teachers who post classroom project needs on DonorsChoose.org.

Why?

Because, giving gifts that then give back feels AWESOME for both the giver and givee, right?!?

FIND IT HERE:  http://www.borders.com

© 2010 TFH Gone Shopping / This Full House Blog

No payment, product or any other consideration, other than a chance to help families (like mine) save a little milk money this holiday season, was received for this blog post.