Enjoy Mr. Linky while I take a "some what" of a break...

So it is time for me to take a little break from blogging. Just a little break though. I will be checking in and answering emails when I get the chance, and if the time is available. From now to Aug. 4 I am focusing on family, friends and more family. I have an exciting family reunion this weekend and then I am off to help at a youth's camp for my church. Once that is over I will take a day (I hope) to recover then I will be off to prepare for my husbands parents 50th Anniversary that night. This has been a work in the makings for a while now, and for the past few weeks I have been working hard on my own time trying to pull off a surprise gift using my hidden/neglected talents. Let's just say after these past few weeks of dusting off my olds skills and with all that is ahead of me this next week, I need all the time I can get to relax and not have to worry about post, deals, etc. I will just do what I can. If your lucky, when I catch up with things, I may show you what it was I was working on these past few weeks for this 50th celebration. Whatever it was cause me to also chuck pencils and other objects across the room ;0) Sometimes I get a temper when I get frustrated...

Be sure to Enter these wonderful giveaways that are going on right now.

Spice up your kitchen with "TSP Spices" (Ends 7/31)


Win a $25 gift certificate at the Ecostore USA giveaway (Ends 8/4)

And of course there are always great giveaways around the bloggersphere!

Smooshie Review...

Once again One2One Network has hooked me up with another fun review. I would like to start by introducing you to "Smooshie", a lovable toy made to help develop your child's creativity. Smooshie's arms, legs, facial features and other fun accessories have a Velcro attachment which allows the child to remove and mix up to create unique characters.



Review:
I have to be honest, when I first opened up the package I was a little disappointed. For some reason I expected more features to be included. I thought for sure my children would get bored with what the Smooshie offered. To my surprise, I was wrong. Although Smooshie is meant for ages 3 and up, my almost 2 year old was freaking out to have a turn. Since, I have to put time limits on this toy to give them each the chance to play with Smooshie. They love this toy and have so much fun switching the body parts around in odd places. Some examples of this are putting the arms on the head and leaving only one eye on the Smooshie's face.

I was almost scared to even look at how much it would cost to purchase new parts and accessories for their smooshie, but once again I was pleasantly surprised. All of Smooshies accessories are only $1.99. I find this a great price to add to add to my children's imagination. I can even purchase another Smooshie body for $5.99. This is very tempting and could save me from refereeing any more fights.

I am now a fan of smooshie and am even excited about adding to our collection of Smooshie accessories.

Purchase:
You can purchase Smooshie at select JoAnn and Michaels stores nationwide. Smooshies are also now available for purchase online at Joann.com.
At Creativity Inc. you cane look through a full selection of Smoothies and parts.

Who won the Blog Makeover giveaway!!!

Congrats to #41 Meghan. Who won the Blog Makeover!

For those of you who missed out on this giveaway or are totally bummed you didn't win, remember that Scrap.e.blog has tons of FREE backgrounds to choose from.

Ecostore USA review and giveaway!!! (CLOSED)

Ecostore is an extension of a 20 year old company ecostore NZ (New Zealand). Ecostore was founded by a couple who was in search of a healthier and organic way of life. They began creating products with "No Nasty Chemicals" for people's everyday use. Before long people were experiencing improvements in their health after changing to Ecostore products. Since, Ecostore has reached the US and continues to bring plant and mineral based Household Cleaning, Baby and Personal Care products to people. EcostoreUSA.com also recently launched at the Meijer grocery store chain in the midwest.

You can also follow ecostore USA on twitter or facebook to learn more about updates regarding their products.

The Review:

I received the "Vanilla Shampoo" and "Vanilla Conditioner" for dry and damaged hair. I was really looking forward to this review since I am typically the type to by the cheapest shampoo possible and with coupons. This is mainly to save my ears from my husbands complaining. He still hasn't learned that our hair and looks take time and money to keep looking good. When I had this opportunity though, I just had to see if a better/healthier shampoo really could save my hair. I was shocked. My hair is so healthy, no lie. My hair is soft and has no split ends in site. This shampoo and conditioner really does live up to it's promises and you know if the shampoo has "No Nasty Chemicals" it is feeding your hair with the nutrients to continue to keep it looking and feeling good. If you continue to use their product of course! It seems their are too many products these day which temporarily give you the look or response you want, but in the long term it brings more damage then you had from the start. I am interested to get back into swimming. My hair seems to get really dry from all the chemicals from the water. I actually think this shampoo/conditioner can fight off those chemicals from the chlorine. I have only been swimming twice so far, but my hair is still staying strong and healthy.

The Giveaway: One winner will win a $25 gift certificate sent via email to use at ecostore USA.

To Enter:
Visit "Ecostore USA" and look around. Come back and tell me what product you need!

*Extra Entries*
-Sign up for "ecostore USA's"
No Nasty Chemicals newsletter which can be found on at their blog.
-Grab my button
-Subscribe to "Catch the Drift..."
-Follow me on Twitter
-Blog about this post or Tweet it! (Be sure to leave the link)


Rules:
Be sure to leave a comment telling me what the entry is for. Leave a separate comment for each entry. Also be sure to leave an email address for me to contact you. A winner will be selected randomly using Random.org. They will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. US and Canada!

Giveaway Ends: Aug 4, 2009

Shabby Apple Discount!!!

Shabby Apple carries a wonderful line of Womens, Maternity, and Toddler Girls clothing. I have fallen in love with their variety of styles and colorful fabric they use. If you haven't visited Shabby Apple I ask that you do. You won't be disappointed. I am waiting for a dress for my daughter right now.
Another great feature you will want to use is their "Fit to Flatter" tab. Here you will find what shape you are and which dresses they carry will flatter your body. I wish every store had this!



Shabby Apple is generously offering all "Catch the Drift..." followers a 15% discount.

Code: Catchthedrift15off
Expires Aug. 15, 2009

Last Chance for Blog Makeover!

Today is your last chance to enter the Blog Makeover giveaway.
HERE is the link for details.
Ends tonight 7/20

Guest Post... "Using Leftovers" by Audrey

We try out new recipes on a very regular basis. The question of what to do with leftovers comes up often.

Yes, we can pack lunches. Yes, we can reheat and have another meal. I’ve discovered repurposing leftovers uses them up and everyone seems to love the new creations.

I’d like to share a few repurposing recipes with you:

Meatloaf – If you have leftover meatloaf, crumble it up, add taco seasoning or salsa and create quesadillas the next night. You can also crumble it up and add it to marinara sauce and prepare a pasta dish.

Chinese food –Take your leftover chinese food, including the rice and dump it into a casserole dish. Add a little broth mixed with soy sauce and then bake at 350 degrees until heated through. The chinese food casserole tastes great and uses up all of those leftovers.

Chicken – We make a lot of chicken. This means we often have leftovers. Here are three recipes you can try with your left over chicken:

Chicken Salad

3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
2/3 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 bunch green onions, chopped
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
3/4 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

Combine chicken, celery, relish, onion and eggs. Toss with mayonnaise and chill.


Chicken Casserole

3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1 - 16 ounce package frozen broccoli florets, thawed
1 - 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup water
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups crushed cheese crackers

Combine chicken, broccoli, soup, water, mayonnaise and cheese. Mix well. Pour into casserole dish. Top with cracker crumbs. Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees.


Chicken and Stuffing

2 1/2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1 - 6 ounce box of stuffing with seasoning packet
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups half and half

Combine stuffing mix, seasoning packet and butter. Mix well. Press into the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Allow to cool.

Combine chicken and cheese and spread over stuffing mixtures.

Beat sour cream and half and half until well blended. Pour over chicken mixture.

Reduce oven to 325 degrees and bake for 35 minutes


I hope you’ve enjoyed all of these suggestions. A huge thank you to Tasha for allowing me to share these ideas with you.

Audrey


Audrey is mom to two girls and lives in Santa Barbara, CA. In addition to cooking, she also enjoy crocheting, scrapbooking, long walks, reading and playing hearts. You can view her recipe blog at http://audreysspot.blogspot.com