Saturday Spectacular-Link Up Your Giveaways-2/19-2/26

Good Saturday morning!  Sorry I am a little late in posting this, but it's that all important time again.  Do you have one or more giveaways running on your blog or site right now?  Been entering a lot of giveaways (like me), that you would like to share?  Link them up here today and all week on the Saturday Spectacular Giveaway linky!  Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing (and entering) all of your great giveaways!

Five Question Friday

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?
Heavens no, at least not out.  I sometimes wear the same sweats and tee two days in a row if I know I am going nowhere or that no one is coming over.

2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?
Definitely Indianapolis, Indiana..I have always wanted to live there (if this is indeed considered a large city).  I know it's A LOT larger than where I live and my beloved Colts play there!

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?



I will never fly on a plane ever, so I would guess that I would be driving.

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?
Going through the whole house, room to room and cleaning EVERYTHING as well as getting those windows open and airing out the house from the winter.


5. What is the best book you have ever read?
Anything and everything written by Jackie Collins, I love her style of writing and have read every single one of her books.

I have been working the past couple of days getting a couple of new giveaways and new content as well as switching things up a little on the old blog.  Before we get to the blog hopping I have a question for you.  Besides the obvious reviews and giveaways, what is it that you would like to see on Mommy2TwoGirls, meaning what kind of content would most likely make you return or maybe tell your friends about?  I am into making this blog bigger and better, but would love some input from you, my followers and readers, because it is you that makes this blog what is it for sure.  Lately, I have been in a little funk and don't know which direction to go in.  So with some ideas, I can get to work and put content that everyone wants to read.  So please comment with what you would like to see, any and all ideas are welcome!  Maybe you want recipes, or craft ideas, or maybe gossip and entertainment news.  I am open to all ideas, so please comment often!  Thanks for your help and have a wonderful day!

Eloise:)




 

Social Parade Blog Hop

Friday Blog Hopping!

Thursday Blog and Twitter Hopping and a Question

Good Thursday morning!  Hope things are going great for all of you.  We are going through a little bit of a thaw here in Michigan, temp is 45 degrees at 9:00am and climbing up into the upper 50's to almost 60 for a day before dropping into the 30's for the weekend of course.  
I have been working the past couple of days getting a couple of new giveaways and new content as well as switching things up a little on the old blog.  Before we get to the blog hopping I have a question for you.  Besides the obvious reviews and giveaways, what is it that you would like to see on Mommy2TwoGirls, meaning what kind of content would most likely make you return or maybe tell your friends about?  I am into making this blog bigger and better, but would love some input from you, my followers and readers, because it is you that makes this blog what is it for sure.  Lately, I have been in a little funk and don't know which direction to go in.  So with some ideas, I can get to work and put content that everyone wants to read.  So please comment with what you would like to see, any and all ideas are welcome!  Maybe you want recipes, or craft ideas, or maybe gossip and entertainment news.  I am open to all ideas, so please comment often!  Thanks for your help and have a wonderful day!

Old El Paso Family Taco Night Review and Giveaway

One of our favorite meals around my home is tacos and we have them at least twice a month if not more.  The oldest loves tacos and amazingly can eat three of them when we have them!  To me there is nothing better than having a get together with the family and having what we call a "taco bar", complete with all of the fixings: cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, olives, salsa and of course the meat.  Making tacos is so easy not to mention a lot of fun!  The girls really love loading up their tacos with all the veggies and goodies that they can stuff in those shells, we find that sometimes we have to get the bigger shells just to fit everything in them.  The bonding that we do over our taco nights is second to none as well.  We laugh, we talk about daily events, and cartoons or maybe even our plans, it's just an overall good time for everyone.  Sometimes we always fell like we make the same dishes and serve the same foods over and over again, but taco night is always a permanent staple in our always busy schedule. 

Why not set aside time at least once a month for your very own family taco night?  You can do just this with Old El Paso!  We have been using Old El Paso products for years and really love the flavor and variety that they have to offer.  They offer a variety of seasonings, sides, sauces, and meal kits as simple solutions for a night of catching up with the family over a delicious taco dinner.  I know that good conversations start with yummy tacos, we as a family have had some of the best!  To satisfy your Mexican Style cravings, the Old El Paso line of products includes chiles (which make not only a great addition to your taco meat, but I have also tried them in my delicious Taco Bake Casserole), dinner kits (which include soft and hard shells in one box), dips and sides (Spanish Rice), enchilada sauce, refried beans, seasoning mixes, shells, taco sauce and salsa.  The Old El Paso taco seasoning mix collection includes: Burrito, Cheesy Taco (a family favorite around my house), Chili, Fajita, Taco, Mild Taco, and even a seasoning with 40% less sodium.  For a fun twist on taco night, be sure to try one of these delicious recipes:

*Double Layer Tacos- Layered taco shells and tortillas create the "double" in beef and bean stuffed tacos.

*Chicken Ranch Tacos- Need a new idea for a weeknight 30 minute dinner?  Here's a twist on tacos using precooked chicken.

Let me tell you with all of the great Old El Paso products available, you can create so many dishes from enchiladas to burritos to tacos and fajitas, the possibilities are endless.  Use your imagination and creativity to make those special dishes that your family will love! 

To keep your family laughing at the dinner table, have some fun with El Tacodor, the world's only family taco night game.  With El Tacodor, your family can share a special night at home by challenging one another to quick fire trivia, wordplay and pantomime. Visit www.ElTacodor.com today to download instructions, a scorecard, and a challenge sheet for even more fun on family taco night!  

Want more great recipes, news, great tips and more?  Visit Old El Paso HERE  Take a minute to share family fiesta photos and videos from family taco night on the El Tacodor Family Spotlight.  

GIVEAWAY-

One lucky Mommy2TwoGirls reader will win an Old El Paso Prize Pack like I received which includes:

*A Packet of Original Old El Paso Seasoning

*A Cactus shaped Chip & Dip Serving Dish (which is fantastic!)

*A set of 3 Fiesta Chili Pepper serving dishes  AND

*A $10 gift card to purchase your taco fixings

MAIN ENTRY-Mandatory and must be done before any extra entries.  Please make sure that your email address is included in your comments so that I have a way to contact you if you win.

Head on over to Old El Paso and let me know either something you learned, your favorite Old El Paso product, or a favorite recipe that you would like to try.  (Do all 3 for three separate entries, one MUST be done for your first entry to count.)

EXTRA ENTRIES-Please list a separate comment for each one that you do.

*Follow my blog

*Follow me on Twitter (@furygirl3132) or click on the cute Twitter button on the right sidebar

*Tweet-You may do this once daily

*Subscribe to me via RSS feed

*Subscribe to me via email (2 entries)

*Friend me on Facebook (Eloise Bowen Carlson)

*Follow me on Networked Blogs

*Grab my button and add it to your sidebar or blogroll (3 entries)

*Follow Old El Paso on Twitter HERE

*Like Old El Paso on Facebook HERE

*Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Old El Paso and me (5 entries)

Giveaway will end on Wednesday 3/2 at 7PM EST.  Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified by email as well as posted here on my blog.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  Open to US residents ONLY!  Special thanks to Old El Paso and My Blog Spark for this great opportunity!  GOOD LUCK!

Disclosure-I received no monetary compensation for this review, only free products provided to me by My Blog Spark and Old El Paso.  All information was provided by My Blog Spark and Old El Paso as well.  I abide by all FTC rules and regulations.  The words expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way.

Sharing the Happiness

How is it that you share your happiness on a daily basis?

Do you offer a stranger a smile or maybe a head nod as you are walking down the street or on a sidewalk as you pass them by?  

Do you sing or hum a favorite song while you are a work and even though you're happy, you keep your co workers wondering just what is going on with you?

How about giving your kids a hug and completely catching them off guard?

Sharing happiness is something that we should all do on a daily basis.  There are mornings when I wake up that I am in a fantastic mood and I jump out of bed, just eager to start the day.  It could be as easy as making your kids a special batch of pancakes for breakfast, packing a lunch for your husband with a little note inside that says "I Love You", or doing something special for a co worker by taking them to lunch or bringing them a treat.  I can tell you first hand, I have done all of these things and nothing makes me happier than spreading joy all around.  We've all had bad days, I know first hand that I have had my share and I would come home and the hubby would smile at me and give me a hug or the kids would kiss me and say how happy they were to see me.  Man, that is the best feeling in the world for sure!  No matter what the world hands you, there are just those moments in your life when you wonder why it is you were mad in the first place.

We look around and see all the people who are struggling, the homeless or someone that has lost their job.  They need a little happiness in their lives, a reason to smile, even if it is for just a moment.  A handshake or a positive word can go a long way.  Even if you just walk up to someone and offer them a encouraging sign, that could move someone and bring a little ray of sunshine where there may have been none.  A little happiness goes a long way and you will be refreshed and amazed at how wonderful you will feel.

I try to incorporate a little happiness in every single day, even those days when I am not sure I can muster up any.  Whether I give my girls hugs and kisses or tell them a story, making them happy is always my top priority.  I also instill that happiness in them, to encourage them to be good to people and help out whenever they can.  My oldest daughter always asks me what she can do to help or what will make me happy.  I often tell her almost on a daily basis that nothing makes me happier than seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, and just being who she is.  To me, that truly is the definition of happiness and all that I will ever need.

Disclosure-I wrote this blog post by participating in the Social Mom's and Hershey's blogging program for a gift card worth $25 and free product.  For more on how you can participate, please click HERE.

More info on Hershey's, click HERE 

Hershey's on Facebook HERE 

Hershey's Drops Hershey’s Drops are sold in 8 oz. resealable, standup pouches, keeping them fresh and delicious. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Drops will also come in King Size 2.1 oz. packs. New Hershey’s Drops are sold nationwide at mass, grocery, drug and convenience stores.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and more than 12,000 employees. With revenues of more than $5 billion, Hershey offers such iconic brands as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Kit Kat, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers as well as the smooth, Cremey indulgence of Hershey’s Bliss chocolates. Hershey is a leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey’s Special Dark and Hershey’s Extra Dark. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba. For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where we live, work and do business. The Milton Hershey School, established by the company’s founder in 1909, provides a nurturing environment, quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. The School is administered by the Hershey Trust Company, Hershey’s largest shareholder, making the students of Milton Hershey School direct beneficiaries of Hershey’s success. Please visit us at www.hersheys.com.