Eversave Daily Deals
$18 for $40 worth of eco-friendly water bottles from Hydrasip.com
Offer expires: 02:59 AM - Jan 03, 2011

Pamper's gifts to grow code:
DY9P6G9H934TPKN  Expires 12/31/2011
I got 27 points with this: try it out here and let me know if it works for you.

Swirl
Free shipping at this site with code SWIRLST on any item.

Slim Fast Peanut Butter Crunch Snack Bar
Sam's is offering a free sample here

Did you have a good Christmas?

We had an awesome Christmas! Lots of games, good movies like The Sugar Creek Gang and a set of Roy Rogers cowboy movies (my boys love these)! My sweet husband gave me a watch that I requested and surprised me with a new comforter and sheet set which we desperately needed. He also bought two motorbikes for the kids to ride and they are having a blast! It's amazing watching them ride around!
We also enjoyed lots of french toast, bacon, eggs, grits and enjoyed some tasty lamb at my mom's house!
At Brian's parents, we enjoyed a sampling of jalopeno poppers, bagel bites, shrimp and cocktail sauce, velveeta and sausage cheese dip, crackers and cheese, apple pie and ice cream.

Vision Forum
Vision Forum  is on the last day of their year end liquidation sale. Products up to 70% off!

Mamapedia Deal
$10 for $20 worth of Fun Activity Greeting Cards from Letter Learning Cards
 If you are new to this site try COUPONCAB4 or FORMETO4 for $4 off your purchase.

Mamapedia:
Mamapedia is a neat daily deal site where 5% of your purchases can go towards your school of choice. This applies even to homeschools!
Todays deal is $15 for $30 Worth of Children's Apparel & Accessories from Ambajam.

 

There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home!!!!
It seems like no matter how hard I work to make things as simple as possible for this busy time of year that it is still busy, busy, busy!  Making sure all the different grandparents get to see the kids, wrapping, baking.  This is all fun but at some point in time your body and mind start to protest (especially after I attempted an all nighter with Dixie before she went home to her mom.)  We had fun playing Quirkle and a card game called Hands and Feet, watched Flicka 2 and The Parent Trap (newer version).  Brian only lasted through one movie.  Anyway, a beautiful snow came our way Christmas Night (first in our area since 1947) and we've been home ever since. Four days of being home, playing with toys, watching way too many movies, and gradually getting things into their new places! Thank goodness for stockpiles of everything except milk which Brian could get on his way home!

Eversave National Deal
$30 for $75 worth of compartmentalized handbags, totes and clutches from Butlerbag.com
Offer expires: 02:59 AM - Jan 01, 2011

Eversave
$25 for $50 worth of custom, hand-crafted jewelry from Sheyna.com - Free shipping on all orders!
Offer expires: 02:59 AM - Dec 31, 2010
Receive $5 credit when you sign up with this site. This is good for 3 more days. After that it goes back to $2.

Take a look at the Zoobooks event on zulily today!
Have you joined zulily? It is a fantastic daily deals site offering up to 70% off boutique brands for moms, babies and kids. Browse for unique apparel, gear, toys, accessories and more - great selections for kids of all ages and some great steals for parents, too. The sales only last for a little while so sign up for your free membership to receive access to the site and a daily sales e-mail with all of the scoop.

For $15, receive a year-long subscription to Zoobooks, Zootles or Zoobies. Value of $30

Mamapedia Sweet Deals offers you incredible discounts on family-friendly products and services in Raleigh / Durham. Plus, when you purchase a Sweet Deal, 5% of your purchase goes to River Of Life Academy or another school of your choice.
Check out Mamapedia Sweet Deals here!
Today you can get $15 for $30 Worth of Kids Clothing & Apparel at Kidorable.

 

Happy Birthday Miya!!!
I can't believe it has been a year already! She's walking, trying to talk, getting into EVERYTHING and in my biased opinion one of the cutest babies ever.  I'm so thankful for her and all of my children.

Mamapedia

Mamapedia: a daily deal site
Mamapedia is another great deal site where 5% of your purchases can be donated to your school of choice!
Today's deal is $25 for $55 Worth of Great Gifts from Wishwrap.

Natural Dynamix
Free sample of gummy vitamins here

Mamapedia Daily Deal Site
Go today till Thurs. and get Family Fun 1 yr. subscription for $2.  For first time orders only.  Use code HOLIDAY3. Or get 2 yrs. for $7 using the same code.

Huggies Coupons
Several Huggies coupons available here

Groupon Deal
$1 for 3 redbox movies deal offered till Tuesday
Go to city Denver

Gaggle of chicks
Daily deal site-get $5 credit when you sign up.

Pampers Underjams
Free sample here

Lawry's Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to 'bison 6' for winning the Lawry's Giveaway.  I have sent you an email.  Thanks to all who left comments!
April

Free Christmas Ornament
Sign up here

Homeschool Radio Show Treasury
Go here to grab this deal for only $12. Once you pay the resource is availble for one year to download at your convenience!
Here is a small list of what is available:
Columbus & the Egg

Upon a Peak in Darien - First Story
Upon a Peak in Darien - Second Story
The Fountain of Youth
Eureka
Galileo and the Lamps
Sir Isaac Newton and the Apple
The First Printer
Gutenberg and the Voices
James Watt and the Teakettle
Dr. Johnson & his Father
Webster and the Woodchuck
Friar Bacon and the Brazen Head
As Rich as Croesus
The Gordian Knot
Why Alexander Wept
King Richard & Blondel
King John & Prince Arthur
King John & the Magna Charta
Frederick Barbarossa
The Man in the Iron Mask
The Fall of Troy
Penelope's Web
How Rome Was Founded
How Decius Mus Saved Rome
Delenda est Carthago
Hannibal Hero of Carthage
Crossing the Rubicon
The White-Headed Zal
Peter Klaus the Goatherd

Episencial Review

About one month ago I hosted an Episencial Mommy Party and had a blast.  The products were awesome and the experiences my kids and I had preparing for the party were amazing.  This review was definitely one of the most enjoyable times I have had in my blogging experience.  You've read before that I can turn most anything into an homeschool project and we went all out on this one!  The founder of Episencial,

Kim Walls, displays the work of author Eric Carle on her products so I chose to use the book, 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' as the theme for our party.

We discussed how artists creatively use different materials and colors in their art. We also talked about taking your time to look at what you are drawing and doing your best! For the caterpillar we used our fancy markers. (The expensive kind that is stashed out of reach!!!)

Take a look:

                                           (You'll find out soon why the face is not done!)
                                          (My husband could not believe this was my handwriting!)

Next we moved on to more pictures out of the book and used colored pencils, crayons, chalk and even tissue paper.  Needless to say, the project took over our house. Here are the results:



We worked into the wee hours of the night the evening before our party working on the extra pictures and didn't quite make it to the butterfly. The kids really surprised me with their attention to detail and major attention span! 

Since the Episencial products focus on safe and all natural ingredients like cucumber and avocado I worked on this 'healthy appetizer'.

 We also enjoyed salsa, guacamole, raisins and homemade ranch dip and our entrees included Ronzoni Garden Harvest Pasta and a chicken, rice and vegetable stir fried dish.

As a Mom Host I received the following products:
Playful Foaming Wash, Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath, Better Body Butter, Soothing Cream, Nurturing Balm, Sunny Suncreen SPF 35 and Protective Face Balm SPF 35

Each of my guests were able to take home a gift bag that included Soothing Cream, Body Butter, Playful Foaming Wash and Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35.  The products are great and since our oldest, Dixie, has been working on 'green ideas' at school it was a timely project.

Before everybody left, each kid had a chance to be the face of the caterpillar!

As a host for MommyParties I received the products mentioned above, sponsored by Episencial, for free in exchange for my honest review. 

 

I hope you enjoy this as much I did!
You Tube Video on the Hallelujah Chorus
Take the time to watch this. Very inspiring!

Bath and Body Works New Free Gift Program
Sign up here to receive one free gift each month.
This is in-store only and has to be redeemed on any Thursday of each month.
Starts Jan. 1 2011

SimpleSchooling Freebies
Sign up here to get Christmas Freebies starting Dec.1
They also have 'schooltube' videos that are kid-friendly!

Cyber Monday at CurrClick
CurrClick will be having some great deals Monday starting with 20 FREE Curriculum Resources-No strings attached!

Free $25 gift card to Shutterfly
Go to this post by Freebies4Mom to find out how bloggers can easily earn a $25 gift card from Shutterfly!

Christmas Photo Card 2010

Picture Tree Christmas

Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Fix Tea
Free sample here

 Home Solutions
Lots of good coupons here for food and household items

Jergens Skincare
$1.50 coupon

Felippo Berio
$1 coupon

Still Learning!!!

I am always telling my kids 'You learn something new every day'! I learned how to make a new page on my site that features coupons.com!!! I am very, very excited.  Please check it out. I know most of you already are subscribed to coupons.com in some way so I am not trying to steal you away.  Just happy to figure this feature out.
April

Another Thanksgiving Freebie

Knowledge Box Central
Thanksgiving File Folder Games 

Arm & Hammer
Up to $13 in coupons

Save -a Lot Smart Shopper Club
Join here and receive a coupon for $5 off of a $25 purchase plus other moneysaving coupons

Gerber Foods
Sign up here for over $145 in savings

MATHSCORE.COM

If your kids ask to do schoolwork on the computer instead of watching a movie, you might think the computer program is just too much fun and they aren't really learning, right!  Wrong! With Mathscore, your kids, my kids, are doing adding, subtracting, time, money and anything math but without all the fluff and distractions found on many 'math helper' sites. 
My oldest son Redd, needed some 'flashcard' work on his multiplication.  Mathscore does just that!  The program is set to automatically review any problems missed and they do not reach the next level unless all problems are done correctly in one set. 
My next son Rusty is doing really well with adding and subtracting and again, this program does the 'flashcard' work and I can spend time working with another kid.
Even my 3 yr. old Elijah asks to work.  With him, we do the copycat preparation where he has to copy whatever number is on the screen.  He was pretty excited with the fireworks when he finished all the levels!
Mathscore aligns with state math standards and to NCTM Focal Points. There are sample problems to try before each worksheet and you can set the time allowed for each problem depending on the needs of the student.
Here's a neat fact: In one school year, the average student practices more than 10,000 problems while using this online practice program only one hour per week!


You can experience a free trial here.
There is also a free worksheet generator here.

In exchange for my honest reviews, I receive monthly access to MATHSCORE.COM

Homeschool Buyer Co-op
The Homeschool Buyer Co-op is a great organization that has helped me save a bundle on curriculum. Co-op discounts range from 20%-90%!

This month the Co-op is giving SmartPoints to members who help spread the word about these great deals. If you haven't joined yet, you'll get 100 SmartPoints just for joining! Once you have joined, you can spread the word too and start building your own SmartPoints balance. When you have enough SmartPoints, you can use them to purchase many of the products available through the Co-op.
Right now they have a great deal going on with the Critical Thinking Company where you can save up to 54% on select titles.
Click here to get a complete list of all the available offers organized by subject area.

Teach Freebie
Lorrie Flem at Teach has a free e-book for you. 
Handmade Gifts That Kids Can Make

Hormel.com
Coupons here

Bath and Body Works Coupon
Free Item with any $10 purchase

Lawry's 'What's Your Flavor' Gift Kit Review and Giveaway

People with a passion for food love expressing themselves through their cooking. Whether it´s marinades, seasoning mixes, or spice blends, Lawry´s products are a great way to express yourself in the kitchen by adding flavor to your favorite foods.

A recent Lawry´s survey found that your choice of flavor says more about you than you think. The nationwide poll looked at preferences for tart, spicy, sweet, and savory flavors and found that your choice can reveal some interesting aspects of your personality.

What´s your flavor?
Joyous Joiners - Tart Flavors
If you are one for tart flavors, you tend to be extremely happy overall, particularly with your family, finances, work/life balance and even your health. As a Joyous Joiners you are an extrovert who loves to entertain at home, find it very important to join in social events in your community and are active on the greatest number of social networking sites.

Self-Assured Adventurers - Spicy Flavors If your preference is for spicy flavors, consider yourself a confident, adventurous individual with a passion for travel and cooking. You are the biggest risk taker and although impulsive, you are not reckless - as a Self-Assured Adventurer you also tend to be resourceful, analytical, and most able to "look at the big picture."

The Sweet Lifers - Sweet Flavors
As a Sweet Lifer, home and family are close to your heart. You are the kindest and most loyal, although you probably wouldn´t admit that as you are also the most modest. As an individual that prefers sweeter flavors (honey and fruit-infused), you are influenced by your parents, enjoy family entertainment, and consider yourself spiritual.

The Conventionalists - Savory Flavors
Your passion for savory flavors shows you have an enthusiasm for politics, enjoy camping and hiking and love outdoor barbeques and American cuisine. Along with the other Conventionalists, you tend to be more introverted than the rest of the groups and often describe yourself as a homebody.
Lawry´s has something for you no matter what your flavor is, including two new marinades and four new Seasoning Mix packets that help create simple meals with an abundance of flavor:

Marinades
Szechuan Sweet & Sour BBQ gives meat a delicious sweet and sour flavor with a touch of Szechuan heat

Tuscan Sun-Dried Tomato includes extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers and the perfect blend of herbs
Seasoning Mixes

Asian Style Beef  Broccoli - This easy to prepare stir fry meal will remind your family of their favorite Asian restaurant. The dish combines beef, broccoli and seasonings with a hint of garlic. Serve it over rice and you have a complete, satisfying meal.

Chimichurri Burrito Casserole - Lawry´s gives the familiar Burrito casserole a new twist with this traditional Latin American sauce. With a few simple fresh ingredients, mealtime just got a lot more exciting.

Mediterranean Sundried Tomato Garlic Chicken - Add a taste of the Mediterranean to your family´s casserole. This easy to bake casserole combines chicken, pasta, tomatoes and Feta cheese to easily make a flavorful meal any night of the week.

Tuscan Style Chicken Marsala with Garlic and Basil - Chicken Marsala is a restaurant favorite, but it might not make the menu at home. This effortless version comes together on your stovetop with just a few fresh ingredients. Flavorful garlic and basil gives this meal its own Tuscan flair, perfect for serving over pasta or rice.

My husband liked this giveaway because he is determined to master the grill and marinades of course lend a helping hand!  I tried the Chimmichurri Burrito casserole one night and my family loooovvvvveeed it! I doubled the recipe hoping to have leftovers for the next night but not much was left!
I had a picture of the almost finished casserole that looked great while I was taking the picture but on screen did not do it justice so I will let you use your imagination!  I'll blame the bad picture on the camera not the photographer!

The oversized casserole dish sent in the kit was perfect for doubling recipes. I'll definitely be using it more often.  My Blog Spark and Lawry's would like to offer one of my readers a chance at winning one of these 'What's Your Flavor?' Kits which will include a marinating dish, a set of skewers, Lawry´s two new marinades, as well as a sample of each of the four new Seasoning Mixes and a bottle of Lawry´s Seasoned Salt .

Would you like a chance to win one of these 'Lawry Gift Packs'?

To enter this giveaway do one or more of the following:

1. Be a subscriber

2. Follow this blog.

3. Follow me on twitter @onceuponaqpon

4. Like Once Upon A Qpon  on facebook

5. Blog, tweet or write a note on facebook and leave a link in your comment.

(You can do all 3 of these as many times as you would like)

6. Put a  link to this giveaway on another giveaway listing page (leave a link in your comment)

7. Answer one of the following questions:

What is your favorite marinated recipe? or What is your favorite thing to grill? or

What does your flavor preference say about your personality?

Have fun! This giveaway will end November 27, 2010.

I received the gift pack mentioned above free of charge in exchange for my honest review from Lawry's by My Blog Spark.







 Facebook Freebie
Above Rubies has a Thanksgiving Freebie Download here:
The Beautiful Woman (MP3)

Fiber One Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to sunnymum! I sent you an email asking for your address info! I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks everybody for your participation!

50 Sheets Free of Origami Paper
Go here to request Yours

Free Thanksgiving Download from the Learning Parent
The Story of the Mayflower (audio)
offer ends Saturday, Nov. 20

Kraft Shredded Cheese
$1 coupon here

Old Orchard Fan Club
Join here to receive reward points that will count towards coupons and prizes.

Hamburger Helper
35 cent coupon here (brick coupon which can be printed twice per computer)

Mambro Sprouts
Over $20 in e-coupons here (printable)

What do you get when you mix country, blues, jazz, brass band, rap and more? You get the new album by Norah Jones, 'Featuring'.  I wouldn't have thought of putting Willie Nelson and Norah Jones together but the song,  'Baby It's Cold Outside' is awesome. 
This collection of her music dating from 2001 to 2010 constantly surprises and keeps you on your musical toes.  'Bull Rider' with Norah and Sasha Dobson has that western clippety clop beat while 'Ruler Of My Heart' yanks you over to a brass band/50's style sound.  'Ruler of My Heart' takes you on a trip to the hot desert and has that Chris Isaak guitar sound going on.  'Life is Better' and 'Soon The New Day' give you a hip-hop/rap sound.
'Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John' is Norah Jones newest song takes you back to highschool dating days.
Not that any of us want to physically go back there but the lines make you remember that guy who was a great friend and at some point in time one of you wanted it to be more than just friends while the other was content with just friendship. 
Who wouldn't like 'Here We Go Again' with Ray Charles or 'Creepin In' with Dolly Parton?!
'Court & Spark' starts off with this classical jazz piano sound while 'Virginia Moon' and 'More Than This' have that piano, drums, bass sound of a jazz trio.  'Turn Them' has a Caribbean feel to it with the sound of fingers sliding on a guitar and a piano echo in the distance.
'Loretta' reminds me of  bluegrass you might hear on NPR Sunday evenings. Quiet and refreshing.
'Blue Bayou' is a soulful song full of longing that appropriately makes you sad the CD is over.
My overall opinion is I love this CD.  All the songs are unique and fresh.
My favorite song on the CD: It's a tie between 'Baby It's Cold Outside' and 'Bull Rider'.

Here is the entire list of songs:
1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward

If you head on over to her website, you will find links to 'Video Vignettes' of the featured tracks. You also may order on Amazon here.

With this review I received a CD to give my honest opinion about and will be entered to win a gift card through One2One Network by participating.

Free Cleaning Sample
Mist 8 Cleaning Spray
Go here for sample

TeaChef
Get a free tea sample here

Family Circle
Get 2 free issues here (no strings attached!)

Free Drumsticks and Book

Free Drumsticks and Method Book
Go here to find out how!

Free 2010 Advent Calendar
Go here

Great deal on Colonial Williamsburg E-Field Trip
Homeschool Buyer's Coop has their Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trip discounted 90%.
Go here and click under history to view the details! Definitely cheaper than traveling!

Country Crock
40 cent coupon here