COTTON PICKIN CUTE

See Liva's Crafts Giveaway - It'll Bring Out the Artist In You

2012-01-29T23:06:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share a new blog giveaway. Liva @ Liva's Crafts just reached her 50th follower and she wants to celebrate with us! She's giving away all the goodies you see in the picture above. She has such a pretty blog too and makes wonderful, fanciful creations. Stop by and make a new friend today. I know Liva would be happy that her blog is continuing to grow with new friends.

Purex Triple Action Detergent Review

2012-01-29T20:26:00.002-05:00

It's no secret that I'm a Purex Insider and that gives me the opportunity to review the Purex laundry detergent products and share my results with you. This time we're going to take a spin (yes, I did say spin) with Purex's new Triple Action liquid detergent. This can be used in all machines including HE.

Since Neil's been working in the cottage shed all week, you can see that post here, I thought it would be a great time to put Purex Triple Action formula to the test. I was sent the Mountain Breeze scent again. You already know from my last post just how much I loved that. But how did it clean? Well I am absolutely happy with it!

I found it simple to use with the easy to read cap of measuring the detergent.
My clothes came out clean and really bright with a wonderfully fresh smell.
It's a great value. I've seen this same 33 load bottle in stores on sale for around $3.00.

Would I recommend Purex Triple Action Liquid detergent? No only am I recommending it but I telling you I'll be buying it myself. I love both the Purex Triple Action Liquid and the Ultra Packs and I wouldn't hesitate to buy them without a sale or a coupon and that's saying a lot. Of course, if I find a sale or some coupons, I'll be stocking up.

For more information on this product and other Purex products, check out the Purex Website, or visit Purex on Facebook, or follow Purex on Twitter

Disclosure: I am a Purex Insider. I was not compensated monetarily for this review. As always, all of my opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by the brand reviewed.

SImplify Your Laundry by Using Purex UltraPacks Review

2012-01-29T17:12:00.000-05:00

Being a part of the Insider's group with Purex, I'm lucky enough to get to try their new products first. In reviewing products to post on Cotton Pickin Cute my first concern is finding things that I know my readers will be interested in. My second objective is to be honest and let you know what I think of these products. After all that is what a review is for, right?

Well I know ya'll are interested in laundry detergent because, I haven't seen any photo's on your blogs of ya'll naked. Thank goodness! Also I'm happy to share this reveiw because I love these. I'm probably the last person in blogland to not have tried the individual laundry packs yet but when Purex sent me these I thought I'll give it a try.

And Whoa, I love them. They are so easy. Just toss one of those baby's in before adding clothes and that's it!

No more mess.
No more spills.
No more heavy jugs.

How simple does that make laundry!

New Purex UltraPacks are convenient pre-dosed liquid detergent packs that make doing laundry easier than ever.
Purex UltraPacks manage to squeeze all the performance of the new Triple Action liquid formula into just one powerful pack.
Each Purex UltraPack contains powerful 2x concentrated liquid detergent, giving each UltraPack double the cleaning power in every drop.
Purex UltraPacks deissolve quickly once the washer is started-even in cold water.
Purex UltraPacks are formulated and safe for all machines, including high effieciency (HE).

Now how does well does it clean?
When I opened the package I could smell the wonderful clean scent of the mountain breeze scented pack.
(It's also available in Free & Clear). Plus 1 for me, I love me so good smelling laundry. Add another star for ease of use. It can't get any easier and I love that. It's all premeasured in one easy to toss in pack. Finally add another star because I loved the way it cleaned! My clothes came out looking clean and bright, no fading here and they smelled fabulous. What more could I ask for.

I give Purex UltraPacks 3 out of 3 STARS

The official launch for the Purex UltraPacks is in February 2012.

Beginning mid February 2012 FreeSamplePurex.com will be back up and running. Stay tuned for the dates that you can get your own sample to try out.

Disclosure: Purex UltraPacks laundry Detergent was provided to me as a sample so I could write an honest review. However, all opinions are totally my own.

A Simple Money Saving Tip In My Kitchen

2012-01-28T09:46:00.001-05:00

Our lifestyle has changed a lot over the past 5 years. Gone are the days and nights of going out to eat more than eating at home. We gradually started cutting out the number of times we ate out to now rarely eating out, even fast food. Now in these hard times where every ~~dollar~~ penny counts, we are stretching the grocery budget too. I'd thought I'd share one of the ways I save.

I only buy my meats when they are buy one, get one free. And even than you can search the ads and save by carefully watching the per pound price. It's a little more work than the days of absent mindedly buying it conveniently wrapped in the per use size packages but the savings are so worth it. On my latest shopping trip I purchase one package of boneless pork chops and, one package of boneless chicken breast at the buy one, get one free price. I also bought the hamburger in a three pound pack because it was on sale.

I separated the hamburger into 1lb packages which will make 3 various meals. We had hamburgers and homemade french fries last night. One night will be spaghetti and one night will be hamburger helper, which I only buy when I can get it for $1.00 a box. Not my favorite but it's a must because Neil likes it.

I separate the pork chops into packages of 2 each, so that gave me 7 more meals. One package ended up with 3 chops. You can see our favorite pork chop recipe here.

The chicken breast are so big that I usely cut one in half for my meal and a whole one for Neil. A lot of time I grill the chicken for salads, so once it's cooked it just gets cut up to top the salad with anyway. That gave me another 4 meals.

I use glad cling wrap because I think it does cling better than some of the others, although I'll try anything else once. I wrap each piece of meat separately because I'm notorious for taking the meat out of the freeze at the last minute and I can easily separate the pieces for faster defrosting.

Then each nights meat gets put inside a plastic bag, cheapest wins here. Squeeze out the air and they're almost freezer ready.

I use a permanent marker to label each bag with the number of pieces of meat, the name of the meat and the date. We have lots of Fed Ex sticky printing labels that we use to ship with. They're free by the way.

Be sure to rotate your meats as you add them to the freezer by pulling the older ones out and adding them to the top. I stake like meats together and it makes it so easy to see exactly what I have at a glance.

So now I'm set with 14 package meals, for 14 nights worth of dinner. We'll see what meat's on sale next week to add to the freezer.

P.S. Don't forget to enter my 3 giveaways listed on my right sidebar. Just click the button. But hurry the Purex/Jockey giveaway ends Monday night.

Publix $25 Gift Card Giveaway - The Best Meals Happen At Home

2012-01-26T06:15:00.002-05:00

I love that I have a Publix store just a few blocks from my home. It's always a pleasant experience when I go in to shop. I've always found the store clean and the employees pleasant.

I look forward to receiving their weekly sales flyer so I can plan my meals. They always have great sales and I love there Buy 1 get 1 free's.

Each week Publix offers simple meals, which are featured at the Apron Meals Center. The Apron Meals Center has simple recipe cards. Each free recipe card features a picture of the finished meal, a shopping list, and step-by-step cooking instructions and many more tips and suggestions. Another wonderful feature is all the cards fit in and Apron binder so that you can keep the recipes together.

Now at select times during the week a meals expert is there, preparing the featured recipes, answering any questions and best of all sharing samples. If you like what you taste, all the ingredients and tools you need to make the meal are organized right there, in one convenient spot. It makes shopping and meal planning so easy!

So stop by Publix during their “Best Meals Happen at Home” event to find great savings on some of your favorite products. Be sure to visit BestMealsatHome.com to find fantastic recipes, which can be cooked in 30 minutes or less, and your family is sure to love.

Take advantage of great savings on some of your favorite participating brands during the “Best Meals Happen at Home” event at Publix from January 26th through February 1st

As of Jan 26th look for in-store for coupons that will be valid through February 15th

Visit BestMealsatHome.com to sign up and receive emails with weekly recipes and coupon offers that will help you save up to $200 this year.

To kick-off the great savings and enjoy valuable time around the dinner table with your family, Publix invites you to try one of the delicious recipes that you can find at BestMealsatHome.com, which uses Cheerios® to make Crunchy Chicken Nuggets: Prep time: 15 Min Cook time: 25 Min Makes: 4 servings Ingredients:

2 cups Cheerios® cereal

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon mustard

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Directions:

Heat oven to 400°F. Spray with cooking spray or lightly grease 13x9-inch pan.

Finely crush cereal. Stir together cereal, salt and pepper; set aside. In medium bowl, stir together milk, honey and mustard until blended. Dip chicken into milk mixture; coat with cereal mixture. Place chicken in pan; drizzle with melted butter.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until crust is golden and chicken is no longer pink in center.

My Blog Spark and General Mills would like to give away a $25 Publix Gift Card to one lucky Cotton Pickin Cute reader, so that you can purchase a few great meals for your family!
Giveaway ends Feb 1, 12:01 am EST
And I've made it easy for you to enter with the simple Rafflecopter giveaway form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Daily Gifts From God Devotional Review

2012-01-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

One of the things I love about the start of a new year, is the freshness of it. A fresh new desk pad calendar, a new fridge calendar and my favorite, a brand new daily journal. I just love seeing all those blank calendar pages waiting with a whole year of new possibilities.   I love to start each of those days out on a positive note. What better way to do that then  by reading a scripture verse with a collection of devotional stories from various Christian writers. It helps me set the tone for the day. I keep mine in my kitchen. I even like to have one for my bedside to read before going to sleep.

I was so excited to received the 'Daily Gifts of Grace' from Book Sneeze to review in December. I wanted to wait until after reading some in January before sharing my thoughts with you. I love the bright cheery yet peaceful book cover. The magnetic flap closure is a great design and of course it has a matching ribbon book mark.

Lets talk about, beyond the design.
These Women of Faith contributors reads like a who's who of Christian writers.   It includes the following writers:
Jenna Lucado                   Patsy Clairmont
Mary Graham                   Natalie Grant
Lisa Harper                      Barbara Johnson
Carol Kent                       Marilynh Meberg
Sandi Patty                       Lori Robertson
Luci Swindoll                    Kim Cash Tate
Joni Eareckson Tada         Donna VanLiere
Sheila Walsh                     Lisa Whelchel

Now, a little about the content of 'Daily Gifts of Grace'.
Daily Gifts of Grace left me a little empty. All that each days writing was 'nice', it didn't leave me satisfied. I felt like I'd been given a very small appetizer and was left waiting for a meal that never arrived. When reading my daily devotional, I want something that is thought provoking or encouraging for my soul. Something to ponder over for the day or to rest in thought with in the evening. This isn't to say that there aren't some very good devotionals listed. I'm just looking for something a little more satisfying.

Here is today's devotional - January 25th.
     A merry heart has a continual feast. ~Proverbs 15:15

When was the last time you went on a picnic? Last week? Last year? Perhaps it's been so long you can't remember. Well, don't put it off a moment longer. Pick up a few goodies, pull out a basket, and get ready for some fun. If the weather isn't agreeable, spread a cloth on the family room floor and see life and lunch from a new view.
    I suggest attending your picnic via bicycle. By the time you arrive, the aromas emitting from you lunch will stimulate your saliva glands. You could motor to a mountaintop, but I suggest a fertile valley, even if it's your backyard vegetable garden. What could compare to a vine-ripened tomato or a freshly pulled carrot? Give it a healthy squirt under a hose, and you're good to go. A picnic menu doesn't have to be complicated.
     In fact, part of the joy of picnicking is imbibing in the simple pleasures of life:   slurping chilled watermelon while being serenaded by the brown thrasher on yonder limb. Just make sure you're not sitting under the feathered songster, lest some of the notes he hits cause an unseemly splash.
     You might want to bring a friend, a journal, and a New Testament. Jot down inspirations and ponder valley life and the shepherd who walks with us there. A meaningful conversation makes a meal a memory.
     We may live in the valley, but we can find myriad ways to make mealtime divine. Bon appetit!
                                                                                                                     - Patsy Clairmont

My rating would have to be 3 out of 5 stars.
Are you reading this devotional? If so I'd love to hear your opinion.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my owncopy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.

General Mills Whole Grain First Ingredients Giveaway

2012-01-25T06:00:00.003-05:00

I don't know a single person who doesn't have cereal in there house. It's a staple in every home I know. It's one of my earliest childhood memory. Not only for breakfast but each night my daddy, sister and I would sit down for a bowl of cereal before we went to bed. Lucky Charms was one of my favorites. As I grew older my pick was and is Honey Nut Cheerios.

Cereal is a quick and easy way for me to add whole grain to my diet. Which as I get older I know is really important. Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing products with whole grain listed as the first ingredient.

General Mills is making it easier for you to find the cereal with whole grain as the first ingredients in their cereals! You will see a white check mark on the General Mills Cereal box that has the Whole Grain labeled as the first ingredient. Now every cereal with the white check has more whole grain than any other single ingredient with the same great taste. You will see “whole grain” as a part of the first ingredient on the ingredient list, indicating that whole grain is the first and most prevalent ingredient.

Make a commitment to add more whole grain to your diet by simply pouring a bowl of cereal with the white check including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios® and Total®.

For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the “Fast Lane for Whole Grain” sweepstakes, visit http://www.wholegrainnation.com/.

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day’s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.

Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.

Don’t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don’t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help with choosing products with whole grain, General Mills developed “Fast Lane for Whole Grain,” an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check.

Make a commitment to add more whole grain to your diet by simply pouring a bowl of cereal with the white check including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios® and Total®.

For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the “Fast Lane for Whole Grain” sweepstakes, visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.
http://www.wholegrainnation.com/:

I have been given the opportunity to host a giveaway where one lucky Cotton Pickin Cute reader can win the prize pack below.

Prize Pack Includes:

■5 boxes of General Mills cereal with the white check

Giveaway ends February 10, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.

**This is my first giveaway using the Rafflecopter. Please let me know if you have any problems. Rafflecopter makes entering giveaways easier for you, my readers but I'm not sure if I've filled out my first form correctly, so your input would really help me out.

The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can You Help Me? - Dashboard Reading List Problem - Missing Photos

2012-01-25T03:22:00.000-05:00

I've been noticing that my photos are missing from my dashboard reading list. Does anyone else have this problem or better yet know how to fix it. I've only got about 3 strands of hair let of my head and would really appreciate it.

I've already made sure that my feed setting is at full and my redirect url setting is blank. I've tried taking pics from my photo bucket acct and directly from the web. No luck. PLEASE help me.

I need a blog mentor, a in home personal computer class, a bloggers retreat, and a personal computer programmer. My computer seems so slow and yes I'm on high speed. URRRGGGHHH!

Where's my dashboard pics????

2012-01-25T02:58:00.000-05:00

Uggghhh, I hate computer problems!!!

Testing - Please Ignore

2012-01-25T02:48:00.000-05:00

Still having problems seeing my photos on the dashboard and working on it.

Cleaning Up and Cleaning Out!

2012-01-23T06:22:00.005-05:00

Whew! We've been busy. I don't know who's more tired Neil or me. Neil suddenly seems to have more energy them me. I'm so grateful that he's up and outside and busy. Our poor cottage shed has been neglected.

He really tackled a big project this weekend. A project that's going to be a weeks worth of work. You can see from the door above just how neglected things are. Believe me we never painted the door blue.

This is the storage shed Neil (I helped) built about 5 years ago. The area you see him in is where we stored the riding lawn mower. Since then we've bought a bigger one and it doesn't fit in there. Don't worry we have plenty of other junk to fill it up. The area with the now blue/green door is stack to the hilt too with Christmas and a ton of Neils stuff. I was planning on using the main area as a pool house but it doesn't look like we'll be getting a pool.

Bikes, pressure washer, self propelled push mower, table saw, tool boxes, gardening tools, even an old leather seat chair, I found and drug home. Oh' and see my grapevine. Jan and Feb is the time to cut it back, when it's dormant. No dormancy this year. It's already got buds on it. Maybe it'll freeze in Feb and I can cut it back. It's going to be 77 degrees tomorrow.

There's things going all the way up to the rafters. Neil decided to pull it all out to build some shelves. He started by just crawling over it all and taking measurements Saturday. Then he spent the rest of the day pruning all around the back. He worked so hard. It did my heart good to see him out there. I've really been worrying about him.

Then on Sunday he drug it all outside and started building shelfs. The day ran out way to soon and we had to shove it all back in just to lock it up for the night. We unfortunately had someone steal a lot of our power landscaping items a few years ago. I still miss my tiller and my rolling gas edger. GRRRRR!!! I have a feeling it was the neighbors landscape crew that saw me go in and out all the time.

Yep it's a pretty big mess in there. I like things really organized. Neil does too and it's makes both of us sick just to open the door.

Poor Neil. I think he was feeling a little weak here. You can see from the picture that it's really only big enough for the old lawn mower. Since the new one doesn't fit he'll use it more for a tool work shed.

This has been my main project for the last week. Taking down 2 full Christmas trees. I finally got all the ornaments and decorations, with the exception of whats on top and a few little others boxed up and ready to go back to the shed. The box that's open in the front are things to sell and get rid of. I've already put one tree away and just have to box up the other. I'm passed tired and so ready to get this stuff out of my sight.

I was all excited about the possibility of getting to do some fun crafting this week and then remembered all we've got to do.

Monday, I've got a Dr's appt with the ENT Dr. and Monday night we go to the viewing of our friend. Tuesday is the funeral. Wednesday we both have go to the eye Dr. Looking forward to that since I lost my glasses a 2 weeks ago and can't drive or hardly see without them. I still have thank you's to mail to friends and family for Moms funeral. Plus, I have 2 more giveaways to post on Tuesday and Thursday. Not to mention a ton of ironing and general cleaning. Oh' well staying busy is a blessing when you compare it to being depressed. So thank you Lord for keeping me busy and letting me sleep well at night.

What's your week look like?

P.S. Don't forget to checkout my Purex/Jockey Giveaway here.

Florida Does Have It's Benefits

2012-01-21T19:22:00.002-05:00

I love the way the light plays in the water. Even after dark the lights across the river sparkle like rays of light across the water.

I love the weather we're having. Such clear sky's without the summers heat putting a big ole' haze on it. I had to grab my camera when I saw this beautiful view out my window. I really enjoy getting a few cold days before summer but it's days like today that are really beautiful. It's 66 degrees now and only went up to 72. Just gorgeous. Especially when I think of my sons family in N.Y. experiencing a high of 27 degrees.

I rushed out to the porch and just in time to get a couple of quick shots before it faded away. I took deep breaths looking at, suddenly realizing how fleeting it was, never to be seen again. Just looking at it made me relax and think about how every day is unique with it's own special blessings. All we have to do is look for them. The photo below is the reflection of the sunset on the water.

Neil called some friends today to thank them or just check on them and it made me smile to see him doing something for himself and reaching it just to say hey. Then he went outside to measure the cottage to see what he needed to build some shelves and get it organize again. I smiled! I don't know if I mentioned it but he's lost about 40 lbs in the last couple of months. Oh' and last night we went for a walk together and it was so relaxing. Laughing and talking, I loved it.

Yeah, I know, I was blessed.

Did you notice something beautiful in day? I'd love to know.

Purex Crystals and Jockey Sports Bra Giveaway

2012-01-21T09:15:00.004-05:00

It's January again and one of the first things that comes to mind when is new years resolutions. Being women, I think pretty much everyone of us has added "get fit" or "lose weight" to our resolution list at one time or another. I don't even think of making one about joining a gym but I do think I can manage to walk in my neighborhood once a day. Here in Florida, heat and moisture are two of our big concerns. That's why I'm happy to share these two products with you, Purex Crystals and Jockey. After reading more you'll understand why these two are connected.

We all know that you don't want to use the normal liquid fabric softener on towels because it inhibits their ability to absorb moisture. How do you dry off if you can't absorb moisture, right? That's why Purex Crystals are so special. For years I've missed being able to have that super soft feel and the wonderful scent that comes from fabric softener on my towels. Not anymore.

Welcome back delicious smelling towels Purex Crystals is an innovative freshening product that doesn't use oil for softening, so it can be used on all types of laundry. Purex Crystals is the more natural way to freshen your clothes for weeks not days.

Purex Crystals are 92% natural crystals that go in at the start of the was so they spend more time with your laundry infusing them with long lasting freshness. And no more softener balls and messy liquids that can sometime stain you laundry.

Purex Crystals do not contain oil, so it can safely be used on all laundry including:

Athletic wear
Towels
Children's sleepwear
& everything else!

That brings me to my letting know about the 2012 Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra. Just the thing to help me with my Get Fit new years resolution.

Just seeing the Jockey active wear sitting there is incentive to get me going. Just check out these features:

Moisture-wicking sports bra helps keep you cool & dry
Convenient key pocket so you can take your workouts anywhere!
Reflective logo at the back
Breathable mesh panels
Soft bottom band for comfortable support

With Purex Crystals it's safe to use on performance sportswear. You couldn't do that with traditional fabric softener because the oil content would prevent the wicking process. Purex Crystals are also safe use on flame retardant fabric like children's pajamas.

Having your choice of three difference scents is an added plus. The hard part is deciding which one to get.

Fresh Spring Waters
Lavender Blossom
Tropical Splash

Purex Crystals are priced just right for my budget at $3.99 (pricing will vary by location and store).

Buy it now: Click here to sign up for a 20% off coupon for a Jockey sports bra.

Thanks to Purex and Jockey one lucky Cotton Pickin Cute reader is going to win a their own bottle of Purex Crystals and a Jockey Sports Bra.

REQUIRED ENTRY:

Become a google friend connect follower of Cotton Pickin Cute (on the right sidebar) or let me know if you already are

and tell me, which scent do you think sounds the yummiest? – Fresh Spring Waters, Lavender Blossom, or Tropical Splash? Leave a comment on this post with your answer.

BONUS ENTRIES:

(must do mandatory entry first- post a separate comment for each optional bonus entry)

**If it says 2 entries, please leave 2 comments.

{2extra entries} Post a link back to this giveaway on your blog and come back and leave me the link.

{1 extra entry per tweet per day} Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with @cottonpickincute. (see button at the bottom of this post)

Follow Tracysuz (that's me) on Twitter (see button at the bottom of this post)

Like or Friend Tracy Suzanne (that's me again) on Facebook (see button at the bottom of this post)

{1 extra entry per post per day}Share this giveaway on your facebook page.

*Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win. Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends on Jan 30th, at 11:59pm EST. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification with shipping info and claim prize – if no response, another winner will be chosen .

Disclosure: Jockey and Purex provide free samples of their products so I could review them. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

Can You See My Pic On Your Dashboard Reader?

2012-01-19T23:20:00.001-05:00

Can you help me? I just put a new post up but the photo didn't show up on my dashboard reader. Ugghhh!!! Please let me know did it show up on yours?

Thanks ya'll

***Never mind (in that Gilda Radner Emily Litella voice - you know from SNL - okay so I'm old - just check out the video below) this photo showed up. It must have just been the other photo that wouldn't.

Enjoy Emily anyway!

Testing Please Ignore

2012-01-19T23:08:00.002-05:00

My last post picture didn't show up on feed - so ignore this while I'm testing.

Do You Ever Feel Like When It Rains It Pours?

2012-01-19T22:47:00.002-05:00

I've decided to take a decidedly positive tone with my blog. Well - I guess that that may have to start tomorrow.

Do you ever have that feeling? You know the one I'm talking about. The, when it rains it pours feeling. That's the way I'm feeling tonight.

We just received a not totally unexpected phone call about someone we love. One of Neil's closest friends father died. He was more than just Neil's friends father though. I was working for Fred and his wife Madeline when I met Neil. Neil came by to see Fred, well maybe me - the new girl, when Madeline did a little match making. (Thank you Madeline). Fred and Madeline were the sweetest older couple. It hadn't been long since my own parents had passed away and they made me feel a little protected, even if it was in my own mind. Madeline passed away a several years ago.

Fred had one of his longs removed a year or so ago and seemed to be doing well. Then his other long collapsed the same week mom passed. His daughter Linda has been involved with Hospice for years. She was so good to us. Even though she'd been at the hospital with her own dad constantly she left him to be with us when we met with Dr's about the next move to make with mom. Then she met us again the next day to be when her life support was removed. I don't think I could ever repay her for the strength and comfort she provided.

The last time we saw Fred was when we left mom after she passed away. We went to the other hospital to see visit him. He looked so good you never would have know how close he was to the end of his earthly life. I'm so glad we got to see him smile, to hug him and to say I love you.

A half an hour before that phone call I received a call from my sister in Texas. She was at the hospital. My 16 year old nephew was being admitted for a few days for test. He'll be okay but he still could use prayers. I can't help but cry, I worry about him and want the best for his life.

The night before last my son called. His wife's17 year old nephew was in a head on collision with a school bus. He was driving himself and a friend home from wrestling practice in upstate N.Y. when his car lost control on the icy roads when coming around a curve. They had to cut the roof of the car off to get him out. He's alive - Thank you God! He got very banged up but was released from the hospital today.

After a day of calling moms Blue Cross Blue Shield provider, social security and the court house, and seeing Neil not want to get up and face the day I'm starting to really feel worn out tonight. I don't feel like I've done much but I think emotionally maybe I'm a little more worn than I thought. The tears keep wanting to come. Having 8 huge plastic storage bins scattered around my living room with Christmas ornaments strewn about isn't helping. But I did get one tree down and in the shed. Once these ornaments get put away I can take the other one down - Oh' Joy!

The important point here is that even though today might not go like we planned ~ by the grace of God we get another chance tomorrow.

Even though I feel like there's going to be a rain shower of tears any minute I can't help but smile. Because I know tonight there's another amazing reunion going on. Madeline was waiting for Fred and they are having their having a long awaited dance in the rain. I bet it's at the same dance with Neil's mom and Dad.

(If you see a ton of mistakes just overlook them, I'm too tired for editing -lol)

Did You Join Scripture Memory A To Z

2012-01-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to remind you about The Scripture Memory Challenge.

It's not too late to get started if you haven't already. It's a fun and simple way to memorize scripture. Everything's more fun when you do it with friends right! Every other week Cindy @ She Sparkles will post a new scripture to put to memory starting with A and ending with Z. No big long verses, just some good old heart of the Bible scriptures, and at a nice comfortable pace.

Cindy's such a sweetheart and has a great blog that you'll enjoy visiting over and over.

This week we're on "B".
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved". ~ Acts 16:31

You can click the button above to read more about Scripture Memory A to Z, or click here to go straight to this weeks verse.
I'd love to hear from you if you decide to join in on the fun.

Hugs...Tracy :)

Fierce Beauty Review

2012-01-18T22:29:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading the book Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder. When I chose this book I was looking for inspiration, maybe even a little toughness training. Once I received the book I had a little trouble getting into it. The beginning seemed to be full of extra words, more than were really necessary. Kind of like gilding a rose that's already beautiful. It just didn't need it. But I kept reading. I wanted to know more about Kim and who the heck knows with all my family was dealing with maybe it was just overload for my brain.

Fierce Beauty has a lot to offer. Kim has been through so many trial and tribulations of her own, she can share these experiences with others and we can all learn something from them.

Kim's inspiring true stories come from her own life of adventure, love and loss - including her parents' shocking death when she was nine years old and her struggles with self acceptance, knowing God and standing for him.

Kim discusses many issues that face young women today. From the lies the media tell us, such as, what is beautiful and what's not, to encouraging us to run the race and never give up. She reminds us to answer the call of our Heavenly Father and give whatever is asked. There are passage of sadness throughout this book but there is also words to inspire you.

"You were not created to be a princess of entitlement but a warrior, fighting to bring love and hope to the world." ~ Kim Meeder

Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging For Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I received this book free to assist in my review.

God's Amazing Timing

2012-01-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

God's timing is amazing. Big surprize there, right. On New Years Eve I recieved an email from Janet @ Along the Way. She told me I had won her giveaway. I was thrilled but to be honest with all we've had going on I forgot all about it.

Then wouldn't you know I recieved the my prize just after mom died. It was Angels True Stories by Robert J. Morgan. What a way God has of comforting us. It seems he had set his plan in place even before he took our mom home. Thank you Lord for loving me. And thank you Janet for being the instrument that he used.

Click here to stop by to visit Janet @ Along the Way, where she enjoys blogging about book reviews, giveaways and random thoughts.

Kindness is Gods Gift for You to Share

2012-01-16T22:47:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we get so busy in our lives we forget how much we matter to other people.

We sometimes think "my comment won't matter" or perhaps it's a simple as thinking "There are so many other people around, I won't be missed". Well I'm here to remind you, that it's just not true. Each and every person matters. Each and every act of kindness matters. No matter how big or small, a gentle word, a gentle touch, sometimes it's even as simple as a smile. It can change someones whole day. That's also how we spread the love of God.

GOD shines through in those simple or extraordinary things we do. Your kindness may be what makes someone ask what is that special something that you possess and then cause them to think more about Christ's love.

I got a little off track but what I mean to say is, all the kindness we've received from you never went un-noticed. It touched our hearts and gave us strength in our time of need. And I still feel that love today. It's given me the peace and comfort to get up and get started again.

Speaking of which...........

I'm totally backed up and didn't get nearly what I wanted done today but I did get some things done, so that is as my friend Kate said "steps forward". Can you believe I still have 2 full size, overloaded Christmas trees to take down, yikes!!!! I've got reviews to post and GIVEAWAYS to post and most of all friends to visit in blogland and say thank you too.

Anyway next time you doubt that you matter, take it from me......YOU DO!!!

2 Giveaways and 2 Winners

2012-01-16T20:55:00.000-05:00

I had two giveaways that ended last week but wasn't able to post the winners with all I had going on with my MIL's passing. So lets get right to it.....

I use Random.org to chose a winner. The winner of the Chex Party Mix Change giveaway is #158 Ashley @ My Little Space 4 Everything.
http://mylittlespace4everything.blogspot.com/. Congratulations Ashley!!

The winner of the Froasted Toast Crunch Prize Pack is #29 LaTanya. Congrations LaTanya!!

I've sent emails to both winners. Please let me know your addresses as soon as possible so that I can pass them on to the sponsors and get your prizes to you right away. A new winner will be chosen if I don't hear back after 48 hours.

Thanks to all my readers who enter this fun giveaways. And welcome to all my new followers!!! I'm so happy to read the comments from all my new and long time friends on Cotton Pickin Cute. Every comment is read and appreciated. I love to receive feedback so keep posting ya'll!

Don't forget, I have several new giveaways coming up, starting this week!

Big Hugs....Tracy :)

To Mom Until We Meet Again

2012-01-15T14:17:00.001-05:00

Moms funeral was today. It was very intimate and very peaceful. Saying goodbye is never easy but I think I said my goodbyes and the worst was over for me at the hospital. She'd fought so long and was deservedly tired. And even though my selfish side didn't want to see her leave, I knew how blessed her homecoming would be in heaven. Not only being welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus but to be reunited with her own mother, her two sons that had gone ahead and her husband that she hadn't seen for so long.

I consider myself so blessed to not only have had her as a mother-in-law, but to have had her as an adopted mother. She told me once that she'd always wanted a daughter and she got one with me. My heart is full. And we did have a strong and loving bond but truth be told she was such a loving person, I can't image her not loving any girl her son loved. Thank you God for putting such a good and loving person in my life, only 23 months after I'd lost my own mother. Twenty three must be an reoccurring theme because I'm so grateful to have been able to have known her for just a few days past 23 years. I only had my own mama 26 years, but thanks be to God I had an adopted mom for 23 more years.

I thought I'd share 2 things with you. First is the write up for the local obituary and second is the letter Neil spent the last 3 evening working on and crying over. He wanted to write a letter to his mom telling her just how much she meant. Then he wanted to share it with everyone at the viewing so he could let them know just how good she was.

Before you read them, I want to once again thank every single one of you for the loving prayers and thoughts that you've shared with us here. It's been a trying year and the last 2 weeks have really taken it's toll, I can't adequately express just how much your words got us through this time. And for all who have asked, Neil is doing so much better than I thought he would. He finally came to accept that the time to let her go was right and he'd done absolutely all and more than anyone can do. I think he's made peace with it the last few days though I know that there is going to many emotions to go through. Sorry that this post seems to go on and on, I consider so many of you friends and almost family and want to share it with you.

DOLLEY Nadine Cross Dolley, 91, passed away on January 7, 2012 in Jacksonville, FL. She was born on August 20, 1920 in Millen, Georgia to Augustus L. Cross and Nancy Allman Cross, the youngest of eight siblings. After graduating from Millen High School, she attended the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, GA. After college, she worked for the government in Washington, D.C. and later, after her marriage, she worked in the banking field. She married William Henry Bill Dolley, Jr. on May 9, 1947 and was a Jacksonville resident for over 60 years, where she was a member of Arlington Presbyterian Church. Nadine was a kind hearted person, who devoted herself to raising her three sons and always helping others. She displayed amazing strength, when taking on the roles of both mother and father after the tragic and unexpected death of her husband, when her children were still very young. She endured many trials and always rose to meet them and was the strength that bound her family together. She enjoyed cooking, spending time with family and friends, dancing, fishing with her girlfriends and long rides in the country. She stayed very active well into her 80's. Nadine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Henry Bill Dolley, Jr; 2 sons, William Frederick Dolley & David Gilman Dolley; her brothers Allen Cross, Charlie Cross, Earl Cross, George Cross, Gus Cross & Pete Cross and sister, Lula Cross. She is survived by her loving son, Marchal Neil Dolley (Tracy); granddaughters Alisa Dolley Catanzaro & Erin Dolley Reed (Alex); great grandchildren Gage Wyatt Catanzaro, Gray Morgan Catanzaro, Emma Jill Reed & Lily Junco Reed and many extended family members and friends. Visitation will be held in George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd., S. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 10 am until 11 am. A funeral service will be held at the graveside in Evergreen Cemetery Gate #5 on Saturday January 14, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

I found this beautiful song that I had forgotten all about, written by Vince Gill for country singer Keith Whately and it just seemed to be so old time country (even though it's not) and it expressed so much of how I feel how I feel. Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Dear Mom,

We both knew this day would come when God would decide it’s time to come home. Even though I know you’re in Heaven with William, David and Dad, it’s still hard to say goodbye. Not only did I loose my mom, I lost my best friend.

You know what Mom; I made a mistake the other day when I said Goodbye to you, that sounded like it was the last time I would ever see you, that’s not what I meant, so I’m taking it back. What I really meant to say was, Goodbye for now, I’ll see you soon.

Mom, I’ll never forget all that you’ve done for me over the years. Somehow you always knew the right words to say when I needed someone to lean on, you could always put a smile on my face even when I felt like crying.

Remember how I always told you that you were a special Mom, I’ve always known that, but now as I look back over the years, I realize just how special you really were. You made so many sacrifices over the years. I remember the times when you worked two jobs just to be sure your boys always had the best of everything. How you were able to raise three boys by yourself is a testament to just how special a Mom you were.

I just want you to know how proud I am and have been to be able to call you my Mom. I’m going to miss your beautiful smile and all the fun times we shared each day.

I could write a book about the great times we’ve shared together. As kids, I remember all of us riding the train at Six Gun Territory, all the times we would have cookouts at Little Talbot Island, standing waist high in the water with a string in one hand pulling in blue crabs.

As we got a little older, I remember spending weekends at the lake house fishing and skiing from morning till night.

And then there were the countless miles we’ve driven down the back roads of Georgia, having no clue where we were going or when we would be back, we stopped at every town along the way. As time past by, your memory starting fading a little and there were many times you’d say, I just want to visit my old home in Millen Georgia “just one more time”. You’re probably laughing about that right now because now you realize just how many times we actually went to see your home “one more time”, sometimes we drove there within weeks apart. But if was always fun. You loved those Georgia Pines.

I was reading through your Bible the other night, admiring all the notes you wrote, dating each and every one. You’ve had that bible for so long that it’s filled with little references you made along the way. I know you loved God, and I know God loved you, so as much as I will miss you; it gives me comfort knowing that you’re in Heaven now.

The last few years, I’m not sure who was taking care of who, I was suppose to be taking care of you, but the truth is you were actually taking care of me, and I will always love you for that.

Mom, I’m having a hard time ending this letter because I feel there is much more I should say. The truth is I don’t want to let you go. I’m trying to remember all the times you’ve told me this time would come, and how it wouldn’t be easy but as time passes it will become easier. Mom, I hope your right, because right now I really miss you.

So I suppose I should end this now, I want you to know that I will always cherish the times we spent together, no one can take that away.

Bye for now, I’ll see you soon.

With all my love,
Your son,

Neil

Comtemplating Motherhood In the Quiet of the Morning

2012-01-11T09:03:00.002-05:00

It's early for me, before 9am. We're late sleepers, night workers here at home. I haven't had much trouble sleeping this week until last night. I finally got up at 6:30, after only sleeping a few hours. I'm waiting to call the funeral home to give the director some more information for the newspaper obituary. I spent a long time last night pondering, writing, running it by Neil and rewriting, just the right words to add to the paper. I'll share it with you later this week. There is so much I could say about this awesome women. So Southern and genteel. So tough as nails when it comes to caring for her family. The picture above pretty much sums up Neil's mom to me. The woman that I was lucky enough to think of as my own mother for many years. The woman that told me she always wanted a daughter and finally got one with me. I was so blessed to have known her and loved her and even more so to have her love me. I thank our heavenly Father, that only 2 years after my own mothers death, he saw fit to provide me with another mother for the last 23 years.

On another note, I've changed my email password and hope that this has taken care of the email hacking issue. I'm too afraid to email anyone. Thank you all for understanding and letting me know if you had an issue with my email, which many of you did. I will be emailing you soon.

Love and warm hugs...Tracy

I'm Sorry If You've Recieved A Bad Email From ME

2012-01-10T21:08:00.000-05:00

I've just heard from several people that have received emails from me that my email has been hijacked. I got a weird message last week from someone I trust but it looked as if someone wrote over her email. Please let me know here on my blog if you've received anything strange from my email. I'm working on it.

And thank each one of you for your love and support at this trying time. We made the funeral arrangements tonight and will be having the funeral this Saturday.

God bless you all...Tracy and Neil

Thank You and Please Continue To Pray

2012-01-09T12:31:00.000-05:00

Dear friends, thank you all for your words and prayers. I haven't even had a chance to come by and thank you all personally but I have said so many prayers of gratitude for all of you.

I'm still hoping that you can forgive me for asking for your continued prayers. Neil is suffering so much. Late last night he broke down and told me that he felt the hospital had lied to him and that she was suffering as she passed. I don't feel she was but that doesn't matter. It's what he feels that matters. He said she was scared and frighten and he let her down. He can't stop seeing her face as she took her last breath and he said he doesn't think he did the right thing. He also says he doesn't know how he can live with this. It's breaking my heart. To hear him say his last memory is seeing her face when she took her last breath is overwhelming. He was so close to her. (She was sedated but in his mind she was aware).

He took care of his mom better than anyone I've ever know. In the last 12 years I don't think we missed spending but a few dinners with her until she was in the nursing home last year. Even then he probably only missed visiting her 3 times before last week when he was sick most of it. It tears my heart up to see him suffering and I feel like a 8 year old girl just wanting someone to fix it. I'm begging for your prayers and any prayer chains you know.

I know that we're no different than anyone else experiencing the loss of a loved one but when it's your family going through it, it feels like the only thing in the world. I just don't know what I would do if something happened to Neil.

God Bless you all from the bottom of my heart......Tracy

God Bless You All

2012-01-07T00:31:00.001-05:00

Thank you all so much for being here for Neil and me. Each comment has comforted my heart and it's meant so much to Neil to hear that your all praying for him and his mother. When I can think clear and leave his side more than a few minutes at the time, I will be by to visit each of you. God bless everyone of you. My heart has so much love for you at this time. It's harder than we think it will be and without your words of compassion I don't think I could bare it. I'm so scared of the depression that is lurking ahead for us and trying to keep my sights on Gods promise and knowing she will be reunited with Neil's 2 brothers and his dad.

With a heart full of love and warmest hugs....Tracy ♥

The Time Has Come

2012-01-06T14:27:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow morning we will be meeting at the hospital at 11am to remove Neil's mother from the ventilator. The time has come to let go of the mother who is so dear to us and let Jesus take her home. Please remember Neil in your prayers and say a prayer of peaceful passing for his mother. I pray that our Heavenly Fathers angels are beside her constantly till them.

Love, Tracy

A Giveaway Helping Hand - Linky List

2012-01-02T22:12:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd share some great blogs to find the latest giveaways. But before I show you the list I want to remind you of the 2 giveaways I'm having right now. And I still have another coming up later this week.

Giveaway #1 - Chex Party Mix Change Giveaway with $20 Visa Gift Card. Click here or the photo above to enter. Remember your entries only count if you go to that post and enter.

Giveaway #2 - Frosted Toast Crunch Prize Pack. Click here or the photo above to enter. Remember your entries only count if you go to that post and enter.

Good Luck in my giveaways and if your still wanting more then please go check out some of these great linky lists. I'll be adding to the list as I come across them this week.

Frosted Toast Crunch Prize Pack Giveaway

2012-01-02T10:47:00.002-05:00

Our breakfast routine is pretty casual around here. Some days are cereal, some days are eggs, sausage and toast. But I can't tell you the number of nights you'll find us eating a bowl of cereal for a late night snack before going to bed. My dad started that tradition with me as a little girl and I still think of me and him sharing that special time together each night. So when MyBlogSpark asked if I'd like to try Frosted Toast Crunch, it was a no brainer. A chance to try a cereal I haven't yet, uh' yeah, count me in.

I'm sure most of you know about Cinnamon Toast Crunch but now there's a new cereal on the shelf. It's called Frosted Toast Crunch. Just one bite of General Mills new Frosted Toast Crunch will send you into breakfast bliss, with each crunch square baked with the delightful taste of frosted vanilla and dusted with a delicious dash of cinnamon.

With 11 grams of whole grain, 9 grams of sugar and a good source of calcium, Frosted Toast Crunch offers a good start to the day

Crave those new FROSTED crazy squares? They’ll be available in your local grocers early January, just in time for return-to-school

MyBlogSpark and General Mills have provided me with a Frosted Toast Crunch Prize Pack to giveaway to a lucky CPC reader!
Giveaway winner’s prize pack will contain:

Spilt milk bowl
Lickety spoon
Frosted pitcher
Frosted Toast Crunch cereal

To enter just follow these easy steps. Be sure to complete the first entry or the others won't count.

***MANDATORY ENTRY: Be a Cotton Pickin Cute follower, and tell me do you eat cereal at times other than breakfast. ***
Optional Bonus Entries: (must do mandatory entry first- post a separate comment for each optional bonus entry)
If it says 2 entries, please leave 2 comments.

{2extra entries} Post a link back to this giveaway on your blog and come back and leave me the link.
{1 extra entry per tweet per day} Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with @cottonpickincute. (see button at the bottom of this post)
Follow Tracysuz (that's me) on Twitter (see button at the bottom of this post)
Like or Friend Tracy Suzanne (that's me again) on facebook (see button at the bottom of this post)
{1 extra entry per post per day}Share this giveaway on your facebook page.

Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win. Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends on Jan 12th, at 11:59pm EST. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification with shipping info and claim prize – if no response, another winner will be chosen .

Disclosure: The Frosted Toast Crunch, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. The opinions are my own. No other compensation was exchanged.

And don't forget to enter my other giveaway too!

***Click here to enter my Chex Party Mix Change Giveaway with $20 Visa Gift Card***

From Fence to Bath Decor

2012-01-02T10:08:00.000-05:00

This past summer ~~we took~~ our fence fell down. It was time for it to go, we just wouldn't listen so when a good wind knocked more panels out than we cared to patch, down it came. But I loved that old silvered wood and just had to hold on to a few pieces till I decided what to do with them.

After painting my half bath, it was time to take the old pictures down and change it up. I decided to go with a more coastal cottage look. Casual and relaxed is my new outlook and that led me to making my shelves from the old fence. These two little shelves couldn't be simpler. I just free handed the side shape on one piece of wood and then cut it with the jig-saw and copied it 3 more times.

I love this little bird cage candle holder I found at a thrift store. I beached it up a bit with some turquoise paint and added a little $1.00 flickering tea lite from Dollar Tree. It makes a perfect night lite.

I mixed a couple of shades of paint together to get the right tone on tone to stencil my design on the wall with my Cutting Edge Stencil that I reviewed a couple of months ago. You can see that post here.

You can see in the photo I used the pointed end of the picket to make the top of the shelf. Basically I just cut the wood to build a box on 4 sides and then topped with another picket . I drilled holes in the back and just slid it on the nails to hang. I painted them with a dry brush technique by just dipping my brush in white and barely swiping it on.

This is a very small room. Just big enough for the toilet and sink. I added a new scented bouquet of dried branches, sticks, etc to freshen up this corner.

I've had this 3 tiered bamboo basket shelf for a number of years and it's the perfect size to fit that tiny space between the toilet and sink. It's so handy too.

I hope you enjoyed my little makeover. I'd love reading your comments and would love to know what you think.

Hugs Ya'll.........Tracy :)

She Sparkles Scripture Memory A To Z 2012

2012-01-02T02:23:00.000-05:00

I'd like to tell you about the A To Z Scripture Memory Verse Challenge I'm joining this year. Cindy @ She Sparkles will be sharing a new verse every other week (A to Z style) through Dec 17th, 2012. She'll also have lots of fun prizes to share each week with her Memory Verse Challenge participants.

Doesn't that sound fun. It just started on Jan 1st so you have plenty of time to join up. I'm really looking forward to being a part of a group of women who all have the desire to jump into a big ole' puddle of God's word.
If you'd like to join the fun, just click here to visit Cindy @ She Sparkles.
Thanks Cindy!

Sometimes Sweet Is Having A Giveaway

2012-01-02T01:51:00.001-05:00

A new year has started and I for one would love to have a new blog design to go with it! Lucky for us, we have a chance to win one. Danielle over at Sometimes Sweet is hosting a giveaway for just that, a new blog design. Her friend Don Naylor of Adeline's Daddy is generously donating a blog redesign to one of Danielle's readers. Just click here to go visit Danielle at Sometimes Sweet and enter for your chance to win.

And don't forget to enter my giveaway too!

***Click here to enter my Chex Party Mix Change Giveaway with $20 Visa Gift Card***

Good Luck!

Chex Party Mix Change Giveaway with $20 Visa Gift Card

2012-01-01T22:40:00.000-05:00

What better way to start off the New Year than with good food and a giveaway.

The holidays parties slipped right by us with nar a party or a treat because we were both sick in bed but I plan on making up for it soon. I'm thinking a fun game night is just what everyone needs to relax after all the holiday bustle. Having bowls at the table with finger snack food is the kind of low-stress, relaxed kind of fun I'm talking about.

Have you seen some of the yummy Chex mix recipes out there now? YUM!!! And they only take about 15 minutes each to make! I've listed only 4 but they have a ton.

Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix

To help one of you have your own Chex Party Mix-Change, Chex has teamed up with MyBlogSpark to provide a prize pack for one lucky CPC reader. The prize pack includes:

5 boxes of Chex cereal to create Chex Party Mix recipes
5 featured Chex Party Mix recipes
10 takeout containers so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go
$20 gift card to purchase recipe ingredients and decorating supplies

Just follow these easy steps. Be sure to complete the first entry or the others won't count.

***MANDATORY ENTRY: Be a Cotton Pickin Cute follower, visit Chex and tell me which mix you would like to try. ***
Optional Bonus Entries: (must do mandatory entry first- post a separate comment for each optional bonus entry)
If it says 2 entries, please leave 2 comments.

{2extra entries} Post a link back to this giveaway on your blog and come back and leave me the link.
{1 extra entry per tweet per day} Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with @cottonpickincute. (see button at the bottom of this post)
Follow Tracysuz (that's me) on Twitter (see button at the bottom of this post)
Like or Friend Tracy Suzanne (that's me again) on facebook (see button at the bottom of this post)
{1 extra entry per post per day}Share this giveaway on your facebook page.

Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win. Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends on Jan 10th, at 11:59pm EST. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification with shipping info and claim prize – if no response, another winner will be chosen .

Disclosure: The Chex Party Mix-Change product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Chex through MyBlogSpark.

What Will You Be Doing on New Year's Day

2011-12-31T20:22:00.000-05:00

My wish for all my family and friends is.........

That all the strife of 2011 is forgotten like a bad dream. In it's place is a light heart that takes things as they come with a childlike spirit.

Here's to 2012 being a joyfully wild ride with us laughing all the way!!!

Love and Good Wishes...Tracy :)

Be Back Soon

2011-12-26T07:26:00.000-05:00

This is just a quick note to let everyone know that we haven't fallen off the face of the earth. We've been sharing a wonderful viral infection, with all the usual cold symptoms, fever, chills, headaches (oh the headaches), body/muscle aches, and no stop coughing. Add to that sinusitis. Today is my 5 straight day in bed with no end in sight.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

My 2nd Batch of Homemade Christmas Cards

2011-12-22T10:10:00.000-05:00

This is the 2nd batch of Christmas cards I made and sent out just barely in the nick of time. Simple steps to a cute card.

First gather the items you need or at least what you know you might need. I started with my broken acrylic cutting board (hey Santa, I could use a new one). Basic blue cards that sold at Michaels for only $1.00, I bought them after Christmas last year for about 25 cents. Red card stock and cute little printed Mary Engelbreit images printed on the computer. Decorative cutting scissors and glue dot tape.

*Money saving tip* To save money on printer ink, I take my images on paper or flash drive to Staples and have them print them. I was able to get 6 or 8 on a page for $1.00. You can ask them to print them from your flash drive. When using a lot of ink for bold images like this it is cheaper.

Using the dot tape I just put the image on the card stock and trimmed with the decorative scissors.

After adding it to the front I added some of the red velvet decorating ribbon to the inside of the front and just trimmed the tails. I didn't photograph the inside but used a simple Merry Christmas stamp in red ink.

Hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I enjoyed making them.

Remember to take time between the rush of the season to relax so you can enjoy every moment of the joy Christmas brings with your families. XO'...Tracy :)

Christmas Cards Are Finished and On Their Way

2011-12-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

There's nothing like receiving your Christmas card the day before Christmas. Not! But that's exactly when my family and a few friends will be receiving theirs.

Barely done and finally mailed on Tuesday. It's been an up and down few months for us so time was short and it seemed to fly by fast. I saw this design somewhere and copy-catted it for myself.

I just cut a some tree shapes out of card stock and glued two together for extra strength. And then wrap them in yarn. I used what I had on hand. Lucky I had the variegated green yarn, brown for the trunk and I even found this cute yarn with balls on it, which made perfect garland.

I covered up the ribbon on the back of the cards with these punched circles.

There you go 7 cards that were pretty easy. Warning though. These were not cheap to mail so keep that in mind if when making your cards. Tomorrow I'll show you the second design I made.

Style and Soul's 2012 Welcome Giveaway!

2011-12-21T01:38:00.000-05:00

Style and Soul is having a big giveaway. Big enough for not just one winner but 2. Stop by Style and Soul here to see what Melai is giving her winners and enter for your own chance to win. visit 2012 Welcome Giveaway!

Good Luck!

Last minute Christmas Gift - Sew Easy

2011-12-21T00:15:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for a last minute Christmas gift? Have you always wished you could crochet or knit a scarf but can't? Well I have just the thing for you.

I made this for my Granddaughter and didn't even have to knit a lick. It wasn't a last minute creation for me but if your looking for a fast, while you watch T.V. craft, here you go.

I found this simple tutorial over at Love Affair With My Brother. Sunni gives you step by step instructions and shows you the cute one that she made for a cute little girl, which I copy catted for Ki'a. She made several grown up ones in a beautiful white for example, for her girlfriends. Be sure a stop by and take a peek here.

Thanks to Old Saint Nick for modeling mine. You can visit Sunni here to see her step-by-step tutorial. Tell her I said hi.

I Know Someone Who Will Have Warmly Yours Tootsies

2011-12-19T08:51:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all of you who entered the Warmly Yours rug giveaway. Your entries and comments are what drive sponsors to continue to offer these great products on my blog. And I'm so happy that I could share this one with you because I L.O.V.E. my warm rug!!! It's so nice to sit at my desk barefoot, like I always am and have my feet toasty warm. If you weren't the winner this time, I highly suggest you go by and check out Warmly Yours yourself by clicking here. It's definitely worth the money. I wish I would have had this when I worked in the business world, where my office was always freezing.

Now to announce the winner.........
Congratulations Kate @ Auntie Kates!!!!! Your the lucky winner and I've already emailed you.

Warmly Yours Giveaway - Very Low Entries - Less Than 30 Ends Tonight

2011-12-17T08:03:00.000-05:00

Your feet don't have to be cold. That is, if you enter my Warmly Yours heated rug giveaway.

This is the perfect under the desk rug to keep your tootsies warm. Just click here to enter. Remember no entries on this post will count. You must go to the giveaway page by clicking the photo are the above link.

There are less than 30 entries so your odds of winning are awesome!

Hurry There's a Stamp Giveaway @ Heather's Hobbie Haven

2011-12-17T03:01:00.000-05:00

There's a giveaway that's ending soon and I thought you might want to know about it.

Isn't this the sweetest stamp. Heather at Heather's Hobby Haven is giving this to one lucky winner. As Heather says "coloring isn't just for kids".

I've have been having the strongest urge to want to color, but with markers instead of crayons. I spend way too much time just stalking out beautiful colored cards and crafts. I wish Santa would bring me a set of copic markers this year. Just sayin....

Click here to go enter Heathers giveaway or on the picture above, but hurry it ends today Dec 17th.