Product/Website Review: Group Story; The Social Photo Book

"If you’ve got a group,
you’ve got a Group Story!"


GroupStory Official Site

Everyone knows how difficult it can be to gather endless photographs from a large group of people to try to assemble a scrapbook or photo book that can be passed around from family/team member to member or how difficult it is to get everyone to add photos to an album and hand it off to the next person.

Group Story allows a group of people to work in a private space to build multi-faceted photo books. Each person can upload and tag photos to a universally shared area. Each user picks and chooses from all the photos to make pages. All of these pages of text and photos are shared throughout the group as well. Each user can then pick and choose from all the pages to assemble a book that is unique to the way they want to remember an experience whether it is a family reunion or a soccer season. You can check them out here in this video.

With all this in mind this company offers a very valuable resource to everyone all at very reasonable prices because anyone can start a group here and create online books for free and share them on Facebook

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If you want to order a copy of your creations, it is $17.99 for a 20 page 8 in. x 8 in. soft cover, and $27.99 for a 20 page 8 in. x 8 in. hard cover. These books can go over 400 pages (50 cents per page after the initial 20).

Their website is easy to use and navigate and making photo books with friends and family is exciting and fun to do especially if you live far apart ~ working on something like this really brings you closer together. 

Also check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Ball Home Canning Discovery Kit $3.00 off Coupon Giveaway (7 Coupons for 7 Lucky Readers)

 Ever felt the desire to do your own home canning, but feared you didn't have the know-how or proper tools? Ball's introductory home canning kit eases a novice canner into it with this trail set that makes use of existing kitchenware. The kit includes an illustrated, simplified instruction book with recipes. It also includes a polypropylene rack with a separate, fitted lifter that works in a standard stockpot and three Pint jars. Bounce-back coupons for additional jars are a bonus inclusion. It's an efficient, low-cost way to learn canning, which could save money and broaden supplies in the long run.

Depending on where you go to purchase your kit you can pay as little as $7.00. They had them at Lowe's a few weeks back for $10.00/each so I would definitely shop around for the best deal. Places like Walmart, Kmart, Target, and other retailers readily carry this product as well as many of the other supplies you'll need including extra jars. Don't forget to check out Ball's Facebook page and Ball's Website for more canning recipes and ideas! You can also shop Ball's Official Online Store!

Product Features

• Introductory home canning kit eases a novice canner into it with a trail set that makes use of existing kitchenware
• Includes an illustrated, simplified instruction book with recipes
• Also includes polypropylene rack with separate, fitted lifter that works in standard stockpots and 3 Pint jars
• Bounce-back coupons for additional jars are a bonus inclusion
• Efficient, low-cost way to learn canning, which could save money and broaden supplies in the long run

ENTER TO WIN: Mandatory Entry: 

Leave a comment as to why you would love to try this product.

Extra Entries:

• PUBLICLY follow my blog on GFC. (Found in the left sidebar.) Please leave your follower name and a VALID email address in the comments section below so I can contact you if you win! 
• Follow me on twitter here. Leave twitter ID (2 entries)
• Follow me on Networked Blogs and leave user name. Link in sidebar. (5 entries)
• "Like" this post on Facebook. Leave user name. (1 entry)
• Friend me on Facebook as well. (2 entries)
• "Like" my Facebook fan page. Leave user name (1 entry)
• Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall and leave me a link. (5 entries. Can be done once)
• Tweet this giveaway. Write your own tweet, but it MUST link to this post

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!This means if it says two entries leave two comments please. MUST complete mandatory entry and leave a vaild e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway will be open from 07/29/2011-08-29-2011 at 11:59 Midnight EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be posted here as well as e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize, or I will have to redraw. Open to legal U.S. residents 18+.

Lovable Labels: Back to School Packs have arrived!

Children have a lot to keep track of when attending daycares, school and camps. Not only is it common for children to lose stuff, many items can be very similar to a classmate's items causing children to bring home belongings of others. Many teachers recommend parents to "label everything".

"By recognizing the unique personality in every child, Lovable Labels inspires children to take better care of their belongings. Lovable Label's durable products will withstand your dishwasher, microwave, washer, dryer, and - the greatest test - your child."

Lovable Labels offers a variety of products that bring organization and security to your family. Choose from multi-purpose labels - great for labeling all belongings from water bottles to school supplies, clothing labels - available as iron on and Press n' Stick Clothing DOTS that do not require any ironing, bag tags - perfect for personalizing backpacks and lunchboxes, allergy and medical alert labels, household labels - to keep your home organized, and more.

Lovable Labels' value packs are perfect for labeling all your child's belongings. The value packs come with a variety of labels at great prices.
Right now there couldn't be a better time to get your Lovable Labels- Just in time to go back to school!

The Back To School Pack includes:

•15 Regular Sticker Labels
•80 Slimline Sticker Labels
•48 Press n'Stick Clothing DOTS
•12 Shoe Labels
•2 Mini-Metal Tags (two 4” silver ball chains incld)
•12 Square Labels

That is 169 Labels for $44.95 USD ~ You couldn't make 'em @ home for that price!

The regular sticker labels are great for labeling books, water bottles, pencil cases, and so much more. They are dishwasher and microwave safe, waterproof and UV resistant making them perfect to apply to just about anything!

The slimline sticker labels are thin and perfect for labeling pens, pencils, and other small items that the regular sticker labels are too big for.

The Press n' Stick Clothing DOTS do not require ironing when applying. You simply stick them right on the care tag. They come in 3 different sizes, so all clothing items, big or small, can be labeled. They are made from a durable material with an abrasion guard added and they are washer, dryer and bleach safe.

Shoe Labels are made with a Special "Perma-grip" backing and abrasion guard on the front these are sure to stay put even in the harshest environment! Made especially to fit inside the heel of the shoe.

Bag Tags are made from a durable metal, these tags are waterproof and weatherproof! Ideal for backpacks, duffle bags, diaper bags, key chains and luggage. Perfect for school camp and travel! Personalize your tag with your name and a fun icon!

Also included in the Back to school packs are square labels which are great for labeling anything that you may have missed (The square labels are perfect for labeling books, folders, binders and notebooks), but with this package deal I think it would be hard to miss anything! So this year Don't lose it ~ Label it!

Lovable Labels products make great gifts. Fundraising and online party hosting are also available. Check out Lovable Labels website for complete details.

Product Review and Reader Giveaway: 30 Meals in One Day; "Dinner is Ready"

This is without a doubt my absolute most favorite item review so far! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with what this program provides for myself and my family (especially with having a planned c section a week away making me "down and out" for about 8 weeks) and I know when you hear about it, you're going to want it too!

Some days you are too busy to cook, other days you just don’t want to. 30 Meals in One Day will save you time, money and your sanity! Spend just one day or two in the kitchen (if you throw in making sides or more then one months worth of meals) and put meal/family size (not small recipe size!) lunches and dinners in your freezer. Serve these meals even on your busiest days when there is no time to cook. Just heat and serve delicious, home cooked meals any time you choose. They are always ready when you are or when you aren't "prepared"!

With the 30 Meals in One Day software, you can eliminate hand writing recipes, shopping lists, menus or labels. This program is easy to learn, easy to use and will ultimately save you buckets of time and if you plan your meals based on the store sales you can even get a great deal and savings on your grocery bill! Just choose any number of recipes (and I mean any number from 1 to infinity) and the software does the rest. It will generate a grocery shopping list, already in grocery store categories. You can print menus and/or freezer inventories. Print labels from your home pc, ready to peel and stick to your meals. Each label is complete with title (recipe name: ex: Chicken and rice), date and cooking instructions. You can even add your own recipes as well.

I received their program that included their software and 1 cookbook; Dinner is Ready. As soon as it arrived, I installed the software and started checking it all out. It didn't take me long to go through and find tons of meals that I knew my family would love. I made a meal menu from several of the listed recipes and it automatically made me a shopping list for the things I would need to prepare the meals. I was able to adjust the recipes to fit the number of servings that fit my family, as well as remove ANY ingredients we didn't like . Then, on the shopping list, I was able to take off things I already had at home and add other things that I knew we would need, aside from the ingredients for the meals. 

This program has great recipes; a proven method for filling your freezer plus software to take care of every hand writing detail all combine to make your life easier, save you time and save you money. Meals in your freezer will give you back valuable, treasured time with your family. Many studies have shown that families who eat dinner together are happier and closer and have fewer of the problems that plague our society today. No matter how busy your are, with meals in your freezer, you can always say, “Dinner is Ready!”

BUY IT:  Online from 30 Meals in One Day; The retail value is $40 for the cookbook and software combo, but  you can get the combo online for $32. Also enter promotion code: CAROUSEL and get free shipping.

WIN:  30 Meals in One Day is giving away to one lucky reader a full set of products, which includes the 3 cookbooks and the 3-in-1 software.*

*If  any reader  purchases anything online and then wins the giveaway, they will either send the combo set or refund up to $40 of your purchase. 

ENTER TO WIN: Mandatory Entry: 

Visit the 30 Meals in One Day website look at their recipe section, choose a recipe that sounds yummy to you then come back here and tell me what recipe. Click here to go to 30 Meals in One Day web site.

Extra Entries:

• PUBLICLY follow my blog on GFC. (Found in the left sidebar.) Please leave your follower name and a VALID email address in the comments section below so I can contact you if you win! 
• Follow me on twitter here. Leave twitter ID (2 entries)
• Follow me on Networked Blogs and leave user name. Link in sidebar. (5 entries)
• "Like" this post on Facebook. Leave user name. (1 entry)
• Friend me on Facebook as well. (2 entries)
• "Like" my Facebook fan page. Leave user name (1 entry)
• Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall and leave me a link. (5 entries. Can be done once)
• Tweet this giveaway. Write your own tweet, but it MUST link to this post

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!This means if it says two entries leave two comments please. MUST complete mandatory entry and leave a vaild e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway will be open from 07/28/2011-08-28-2011 at 11:59 Midnight EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be posted here as well as e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize, or I will have to redraw. Open to legal U.S. residents 18+.

In the spirit of full-disclosure, 30 Meals in One Day has provided the cookbook and software for my family and I to try through BlogPR . No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

FREE READER GIVEAWAY and Review: Hawaiian Luau Party Ideas eBook

Say Aloha to the Official eBook downloadable link

This is an awesome eBook! It is really great if you are planning a Luau themed party. My parents recently used some of the content from the book for a party that was held at the campground that they frequent. This book provides tips on decor, food, drinks, invitations, and so much more!

The above invitations are one example of the many great items offered in this book. They are bright, colorful, functional, fun, and easy on the budget since you can print them from your home pc.

This eBook showcase why it's a pleasure to host a Luau including 5 really great reasons to do so which include: People attempting to pronounce Hawaiian words, getting to drink awesome fruity cocktails, you getting to wear those loud and obnoxious Hawaiian print vacation clothes once more,  ROAST PORK (no need to say more on that!) and getting to play "island" music all night long while swinging gracefully in a hammock.

One of the best reasons and things about throwing a Luau is the availability of "themed" products that you can find at very reasonable prices. Places like Amazon, Oriental Trading, Celebrate Express, Walmart, Kmart, Target, and so many other retailers have a variety of product available on hand for these kind of parties, especially during the warm summer months when these events are most popular.

The food can be a nice change from "heavy" fall and winter dishes transformed in to "light" and fresh foods like fresh sliced fruits and tropical salads to roasted pork made in a home smoker, or seared on a grill, maybe even a whole piggy roasting over an open fire pit - all in the comfort of your own backyard.

Having a pool only adds to the fun with guests dressing up in hula skirts, coconut bras, and leis around their necks, bright hibiscus t-shirts, and fun colorful clothing all around.

Most importantly DO NOT forget the fun Luau games (like limbo) and the video camera to catch all those crazy moments of sheer laughter and play that will be sure to become the next YouTube hits. 

Python Games offers some really great and exciting decorating  tips for making your Luau the talk of the town. A few ideas that they bounce off of you include placing tropical plants in your main party area - if you don't have any tropical plants you can always buy some cheap inflatable palm trees like this one from Oriental Trading: 

Other decorating ideas include, but are not limited to: using flowers to garnish serving dishes of food, scatterd seashells, coconuts, tiki torches, and anything else that can be island-ish.

Some really great party cake ideas included in the book include Pineapple Upside Down Cake and also making your own "theme cake" like the one we had at my son's birthday party made by his Aunt.

Other party food ideas include a tropical fruit themed centerpiece  like this one:

and many others like sno cones, spam cooked right, roasted pork, and beverages like the Tequila Sunrise and  Pina Colada.

Don't forget to get your printable Luau Games from Python Games; you get 19 party themed games for $19.99 and all of these games are suitable for all ages from kids to adults and include:

Let it on my ice-breaker, Hawaii 5-0 trivia, printable paper dolls, beach themed gift exchange, a newlywed game, survival of the fittest party game, naughty or nice food game, pin the parrot on the pirate, Luau synonym quiz, California trivia, Hawaii Trivia, beers of the world trivia placemats, famous beach movie trivia, cocktails trivia, hot actors trivia, U.S. beers trivia match and included already in this FREE eBook Initations and Moo-Luau Mad Libs.

So check out this great eBook and tell me what you think!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review: Out of a Far Country by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

In this joint memoir, mother Angela Yuan and son Christopher Yuan alternate chapters in describing Chris' prodigal son experiences, in parallel with Angela's experiences as a mother moving from suicidal depression to Christian community, along with hope and prayer for her still-troubled son. Their voices trade off as describe Chris' early successes in grad school, his growing identification with the gay community and embrace of a partying lifestyle, and his movement into success as a drug dealer. His crash when busted and jailed, along with his mothers' prayers and involvement, leads to his conversion to Christianity and eventual role as a prison minister. 

Chris and Angela cast an extremely compelling vision of God's love, God's grace and God's holiness. Their book really speaks to prodigals of all kinds and to the parents of prodigals. And yes, it speaks to those who want to minister to the gay community in a way that is not based on rancorous polemical stereotypes and arguments. 

The story of Christopher Yuan's journey to true freedom, purpose and joy rates a lot more than 5 stars. It rings true from the first to the last page, and spares the reader the tired arguments (from both sides) that surround the issue of the origins of homosexuality. Christopher's observation that the opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality - but rather holy sexuality, frames the issue of personal identity in a whole new light. The "fruits of the Spirit" permeate this narrative; in particular, love, peace, long suffering and faith. All-in-all, a compelling testimony of the power of God to transform lives.

 It is one of those books you can't seem to put down. Christopher and his mother inspire us all to have hope regardless of what we face in our lives. Out of a Far Country is a rare gem that deals with deep emotional and physical struggles. Highly recommended!!

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307729354
• ISBN-13: 978-0307729354
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• 
  

In the spirit of full-disclosure, WaterBrook Press has provided a copy for me to read and review. No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Book Review: Imagination Station Book 4; Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

In this Imagination Station adventure, Patrick and Beth find themselves as guests in a beautiful castle in 15th-century England. Through a series of events, the steward of Lord Darkthorn’s castle finds the cousins with three artifacts collected in their previous adventures: the stone, the cup, and the golden tablet. They are accused of being thieves and locked in jail. Beth escapes and discovers the identity of the real thief, leading to a jousting contest with a surprising outcome. Set during the War of the Roses in England, Revenge of the Red Knight will teach readers about the Crusades, the integrity of knights and the vows they took, and why men would choose to risk their lives to fight for Christianity.

This may be the best Imagination Station book yet! Definitely the most action packed book  in the series and lots of questions are getting answered.  also appreciate that "character" is the common theme in this volume. For example, when Sir Andrew agrees to the tournament, Beth says, "That was a noble thing to do." Sir Andrew answers, "It was the right thing to do." And just before the tournament, Sir Andrew asks that the tournament  be a "joust of peace" where the looser will fall off his horse, but not be wounded or killed. Again this book held my children's interest quite well and like the other books in the series there is a puzzle in the back of the book to be completed and the "secret word" can again be entered on the Imagination Station website for a prize.

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589976304
• ISBN-13: 978-1589976306
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches

In the spirit of full-disclosure, Tyndale Publishing has provided a copy for me to read and review. No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Book Review: Imagination Station Book 3; Perils in the Palace by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Marianne Hering's Official Page

Paul McCusker's Official Page

Peril in the Palace is a children’s book that encourages imagination and creates an appetite for learning more about history. The story takes place in the 13th century. Cousins Beth and Patrick are the young main characters who travel back in time through Mr. Whittaker’s Imagination Station. The story is created to be a quest for the two children who eventually meet Marco Polo and the great Kublai Khan. This adventure gives the children an opportunity to share their faith with the mongols and learn more about things they have learned 

in history class.

I like that the book makes an adventure out of the story, and includes factual information based on history, religion and even science. Most of the historical characters in the book can be researched online and confirmed as real people. The only character that no information could be found on or verified as a real historical figure was Kublai Khan's granddaughter (Beki), but she is a minor character and not nearly as significant as the others mentioned throughout this book. Although it is recommended for ages 9+ both of my little guys (5 and 3) really enjoyed hearing me read the story to them. It held their attention well and they asked plenty of questions about the different people which provided a learning opportunity after we read our chapters for the night. It also makes a great bedtime read as well because it let's the imagination run wild while the eyes are closed and little ears are listening intensely.

There is a secret word puzzle included in the back of the book which is a fun reading comprehension exercise. When you type the secret word in at the Imagination Station website you receive a prize. 

• eading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589976290
• ISBN-13: 978-1589976290
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches

In the spirit of full-disclosure, Tyndale Publishing has provided a copy for me to read and review. No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Book Review: The Waiting Place by Eileen Button

Eileen Button's Official Page

This book is a collection of essays that the author has put together about the waiting places in her life. She chooses certain life experiences and writes about them and talks very little about how God works as we wait and how we need to just enjoy the moments of waiting.

The Waiting Place‘s greatest strength is the writing itself. Button has clearly honored her voice with practice and time, probably during her 2½+ years of writing for the Flint Journal. She never rambles, a fault all too common in memoirs, and seems to effortlessly strike the perfect balance between dry humor and thoughtful introspection.

The main message that I received from this book is that the seemingly unproductive waiting places of life can be times of discovery and growth. This is a great message because life is unexpected and full of little surprises, and you never know what lies ahead in your life and sometimes reflecting in these "waiting places" are sure to lead to wonderful moments of self discovery and family bonding.

This book should have been labeled as a memoir instead of as “Christian Life / Spiritual Growth” as this was misleading since God took a backseat to Eileen's memoirs.  I was slightly disappointed because the narrative as a whole does not really point readers to a deeper dependence on God and if that is what you are seeking it will not be found in this book.

The Waiting Place was not exactly what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The stories are endearing and a pleasure to read.

About Eileen Button:

Eileen Button is a weekly columnist for theFlint Journal. Her commentaries have also appeared in multiple online and print publications, including Newsweek andChristianity Today. In addition, Eileen is an adjunct professor of communication. She lives with her family in Davison, Michigan.

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 7, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849946255
• ISBN-13: 978-0849946257
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches

In the spirit of full-disclosure, Thomas Nelson has provided a copy for me to read and review. No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.