Win Free Pizza With Freschetta Rally For Pizza Giveaway

Get Ready to "Rally for Real Pizza" and for a special FRESH CONNECTION only giveaway!

Have you  heard the news.  Freschetta is asking Fans to take a stand against BLAH pizza and take a stand for FRESH pizza.  Check out the Freschetta Facebook page and pledge to serve only the freshest frozen pizza - Freschetta pizza.  You can enter to win 5 FREE Freshetta Pizza coupons.

Each week, FRESCHETTA will select 100 winners to receive 5 FRESCHETTA pizzas.  That's not all - on March 30th, FRESCHETTA will select 10 winners who will receive a year supply of FRESCHETTA pizza.

There will be 100 winners each week and on March 30 they will select 10 winners who will receive a year supply of Freshetta Pizza!


Event Details:

Date – February 27, 2012 – March 30, 2012

What – Rally for Real Pizza

Where – From the comfort of your own home

Details – Starting February 27, 2012 on www.Facebook.com/Freschettapizza

I'm Looking for Jacksonville, FL Bloggers

Okay my Southern girls, I'm calling ya'll out, but only in a nice way.  I'm looking for bloggers in the Jacksonville, Florida and surrounding areas.

Why might you ask?  Well, I've been blogging for sometime but I haven't really connected, non-virtually, with anyone in my area.  I have a ton of blogging questions and hopefully some tips and answers too that I think we could all benefit from.  Wouldn't it be nice to get together every so often and connect, share and laugh?  I think so.  I'd also like to find a mentor for myself.  I'm thinking of looking for someone to help me overhaul my blog design and would love it to be someone locally that I could work with on a closer basis. 

Has anyone else done this in their area?  How did it work for ya'll?  Do you meet every two weeks or once a month?  I would love to know more about you experiences.  Give me a shout out and let me know.  I'd like to feature your story on my blog.  I can't wait to hear from you!

Hugs...Tracy :)

Win a Motorola Cordless Phone At Fun Saving Money

Mellisa @ Fun Saving Money is having a giveaway and to be honest I want to win it.  I thought you might want to win it too. 

Okay, honesty again...I'm posting for 2 reasons.  I do like to share good thing with you but you know how it works, I also get extra entries for sharing with you.  So stop by Melissa's and enter her giveaway.  Hopefully one of us will win. 

Cox Communications is giving Mellisa's Fun Saving Money readers the chance to win a Motorola DECT 6.0 Enhanced Corded Base Phone with Cordless Handset and Digital Answering System and one Cox Digeez Doll so they can better enjoy their Cox Digital Telephone Service.  Just click the button below to go to the entry page.

Good Luck Ya'll...♥Tracy

A Sympathy Card for Twin Babies with Cricut

It's hard to know what to say when a baby passes.

I made this card a few days ago for my sweet friend Cindy.  Her precious twin granddaughters were stillborn and laid to rest this past weekend.  Please remember to say a prayer for Cindy and her family.  She has a strong faith in our Lord, but even then, tough times like this take so much out of you.

I decide to use the tree border from my Cricut Cindy Lou cartridge.  I used pink paper to represent the girls and the tree to represent the family.  The two raised hearts are for the sweet babies who will always be side by side.

I lined the inside of the card with little rose bud paper that reminds me of a flannel baby blanket.  It's accented with pink ribbon and a layered message.

It's a simple card but I hope the meaning behind it shows through. 

You can visit Cindy @ Blessings From Cindy.  I know that she would love to hear from others and to know others are thinking about her.

Thank  you all for visiting.  I love each and every one of you.  You comments mean so much to me.  Ya'll know how that lovin' blog feelin' goes.  It kinda makes your heart sing.

P.S.  I've been told that some people are having trouble leaving comments on my blog.  It this is happening to you, I would love to hear from you and hear what you might think the problem is or what happened when you tried but couldn't leave me a comment.

Have a blessed day ya'll....Tracy ♥

St. Patrick's Day Banner - Replay

“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night.”

 This is a re-post of the banner last year for St. Patrick's Day.  I thought I'd share it with the new readers this year.  

 I made this one for my MIL Nadine and I sent one to my grandchildren, one to my niece and nephew in Atlanta, and one to my nephew in Fort Worth.

  Talented Viv over at Viv Out On A Whim made the cutest banner and I just stole her idea and made it a little different.  You really should go see her's here, it's so cute. Luckily she was kind enough to share where she got the precious printable images.  I had found this old pleated crepe paper last year at a thrift store, knowing it would come in handy sooner or later.  And I couldn't resist glittering the images so they sparkle and shine.

"Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter. Lullabies, dreams and love ever after. Poems and songs with pipes and drums. A thousand welcomes when anyone comes… That’s the Irish for you!"

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
~Irish Blessing

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
The insight to know where you are,
and the foresight to known when you've gone too far.

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.”

Thanks again Viv!!!  

Hugs...Tracy :)

Pillsbury Prize Pack Giveaway and Monday's Linky Party List

I bet you thought I forgot to all about the Pillsbury giveaway winner, right?  Well, okay you are right, but I'm remembering now, so lets get right to it.  The lucky Cotton Pickin Cute winner drawn by Rafflecopter is:

Karin A-g

Congratulations Karin and thank you for entering my giveaway.  I'm sending you an email.  Please respond within 48 hours.

Thanks to everyone for entering and making another giveaway a success.  I've had several this month and with all your participation, I look forward to having many more.

Below I've added buttons for linky parties, both giveaway and craft, designed, diy's.  Stop by and see all the best the blog world has to offer.  If you know of a party that I didn't list let me know and I'll add it.  I'll be adding to it as I come across them.

 

Have a blessed week ya'll....♥Tracy

Enter Progresso's Souper You Contest

We’re in a new year and for me it’s all about feeling better.  Feel better both nutrianally and spiritually.  And if you don’t feed your body right your mind isn’t healthy either.  What way to better kick off a new you than by winning an incredible makeover and better yet in Hollywood. 

Progresso^® has announced the return of their Souper You^® Contest giving you the chance to win an incredible makeover! By telling Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about their soup, you could have the chance to win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring!

Now that the ball has dropped and the confetti has settled, it´s time to consider how you will stick to your resolution for the New Year and maintain your weight management plan, without sacrificing on variety or the taste of foods you love. Thanks to Progresso^®, you can have your soup and eat it too!

With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings, while helping you stick to your weight management calorie goals. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including it in your meal choices.

This year, the Souper You^® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season´s live finale of NBC´s The Biggest Loser

Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd

Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th

In addition, visit Progresso to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup today, and feel free to share with your blog readers so they can take advantage of the savings as well

Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c

It’s easy to enter.  Just write a 300 character or less essay, telling Progresso why you love Progesso Soups and why you deserve a fashion makeover.   

Remember to add a photo of yourself.  You want them to know who you are right?  And it is a requirement.

The contest ends really soon

In a short 300 character or less essay, tell the people at Progresso why you love Progresso Soups and why you deserve a fashion makeover.

The contest ends really soon - February 22, 2012 , but it’s not too late.  So be sure you don’t miss this fabulous opportunity.   Their choosing 3 lucky winners.  That could be YOU! so don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!  I’d love to know one of my Cotton Pickin Cute girls won!

Click here to Enter

"Disclosure:  The Progresso^® Souper You^® prize pack, information, coupon, and giveaway have been provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark."

Depression Clothing, Music, The Civil Wars and Taylor Swift

Did you watch the Grammy's last week?  I don't normally but I'm glad I did.  I mostly watched it because I've loved Adele since I first heard her a few years ago.  I've noticed in the press they've been saying that the outfit that Taylor Swift wore for the performance of her song  "Mean" was terrible but I honestly liked it.  It worked well with the depression era song, which I think reflects the times we're facing.  I know it was a hollar out to her critics too. 

I actually am a fan of the retro shirt waist dresses and loved the lacey slip farm house look.  Very cool I think.  Isn't the hat cute on her back up singer?

My favorite part of the Grammy was seeing "The Civil Wars" introduce her.  Cute and funny.  But I LOVE this duo!  Their voices are amazing together. I just love John Paul White's voice.  And no they're not a couple but sure would think they are.  Joy Williams is so cute and has the most beautiful, lyrical voice.

And by the way, does John Paul White remind you of someone else?

He could be a stand in for Mr. Johnny Depp!  Although no one could really replace J.D.

Just sayin.........

Don't forget to enter my giveaways on the right sidebar, ya'll.

Pantry Makeover - Organized and Pretty - On a Budget

(After Photo)

I have to admit this was actually done by Christmas but I'm just getting around to posting it.  I've always been someone who likes everything organized and front facing but now it's even prettier.  At least I think so.  After seeing all the wonderful pantry makeovers, I decided mine could use a little primping.   Look at the photo below and you can see why.

(Before photo)

We have a little of everything in there.  Flashlights, tile, floor cleaner.  And worse of all, just plain ugly walls.

I didn't have a stencil so I printed the pattern I wanted off the Internet.  Pattern, ha!  It was more like just one of the Moroccan shapes.  After painting the walls and shelves, I traced each one of those little diamond looking shapes in pencil.  Yep, one-by-one.  This was no one night job people.  I traced and painted one section of wall between shelves each day.  I used a paint brush to paint traced pencil lines.

I put popcorn in one basket for easy access, I've got Ritz crackers in another (we eat lots of those).  I have the instant grits in a little wooden bowl.  The big strawberry basket holds my potatoes. 

In the spirit up up-cycling, I took my old glass spaghetti sauce jars, pickle jars or whatever other jars I had and gave them a makeover too.  First I had to get rid of the mis-matched look by spray painting the lids red.  Then I used my cricut to cut some labels out of chalkboard sticky paper.  That way I can just wipe the name off the container and re-write it when or if I change its contents.  I used some ribbon to style them up a bit.  I would like to get some square glass containers later but I think these came out cute and will do for now.

I keep the un-opened boxes of cereal on the top shelf and we put the open ones in plastic pour containers.

The big black thing on the wall is actually the electrical breaker box. It was that old battleship grey metal and I painted it with chalk board paint. Since it's metal, it's a great memo board that magnets stick to. At least now it can be put to good use and used jotting down notes or shopping list.

I used my hot glue gun to glue shells over all the screws that hold the electric box up.  I just did a center shell collage for fun at the top.

So now I have a new pantry to go with my rustic market pantry sign I made this week.  Click here to see the sign.

I bought the paper organizer that's on the door several years ago.  I think I got it at garden ridge, it was under $10 and it's been one of my favorite organizing items.  It holds plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and paper towels.  The wire basket is actually meant to hold plastic lids but I thought it would be perfect for the plastic Ziploc bags. 

We keep the cat food in a plastic laundry detergent bin.  Perfect for storage.

Well that's my newly improved pantry.  What do you think? Not bad for the cost of paint and some elbow grease.  It feels so good to have everything neat and clean.  And since I did this in December, I can tell you, it's stayed that way too.  I still like to just stand there and look at it sometimes.  At least one little corner of my world is organized.

Have a great weekend ya'll.

Hugs...Tracy ♥

I've add the links below to some of the fun parties I've join. 

Cookin Up Something New - Easy Casserole Recipe - Still Laughing

Poor Neil.  Every night I keep saying I'm going to come up with something different for dinner.  Well tonight I finally did. 

It seems I'm always making the same old meat and potatoes type of dinner.  Even though it's fast to thow those together, I have to stop right in the middle doing something else to put it all together and then it seems like a mad rush.  After rushing around and smelling it I'm really not feeling that hungry.  By then I'm just ready to sit Neil's plate down and crash.

It only takes 15 mins to prep this dish, 40 mins to bake and it serves 4.  I like the idea of putting this together, being able to get my kitchen all cleaned up, then sliding in the oven later when I'm ready.

By the way this is not a paid review post.  I just thought I'd share what I did in the kitchen today.  Be sure to read to the end.

It's called Monterey Chicken Tortilla Casserole.  The recipe only has 8 ingredients.  Love that!

• 1 cup coarsely crumble tortilla chips
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 can (15oz) cream-style corn
• 3/4 cup Pace Picante Sauce
• 1/2 c sliced pitted ripe olives
• 2 oz (about 1/2 cup) shredded Cheddar cheese
• chopped green or red pepper Tortilla Chips

I grilled the chicken in some olive oil and then chopped it up.  Layer the crumbled chips, corn, and picante sauce in a 1-quart casserole.  The recipes says to add the pepper after it's done.  We don't like ours crispy so I added mine and then added even more cheese on top before I put it in the oven. (I sprayed my dish with Pam first, for easy cleanup). 

Bake at 350 for 40 mins or until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve with the chips. 

While Neil thought it was good.  I thought it was just wasn't quite a meal.  Even with a salad.  It taste great but not dinner great.  I mean it does say "casserole", which to me = dinner, right?  Wrong.  I think I just served Neil a party appetizer for dinner.  Oh' no - say it ain't so.  Poor Neil never complained but now I know why it didn't really seem like dinner.  When typing this post my eyes fell on the line that said "serve with chips".  Oh' well at least I tried. 

If you have a good dinner recipe PLEASE send it to me.  I'd love to try something new.  Or better  yet maybe you'd like to do a guest post!  I know Neil would be so grateful to you.  I'd be a happy camper too.

Hugs Ya'll....Tracy

Publix Italian Days Event- $25 Gift Card Giveaway, Coupons Recipes and More

Italian Days are here again at Publix and you know what that means....great savings!  It seems that I cook more Italian food at this time of year.  There are so many warm and hearty meals to stave off the cold outside.  I know Neil loves meat loaf and I'll be stocking up on the ingredients to make the Homestyle Meatloaf recipe at ClickCallMail.com.

Al dente pasta, savory sauces, hearty meatballs, these are just a few of the delicious ingredients that can be featured in authentic Italian cuisine. When it comes to cooking traditional Italian dishes the possibilities are endless, and you don’t have to travel all the way to Italy to taste the tradition! With Italian Days, available exclusively at Publix, you can find great prices and coupon savings on some of your favorite brands including Progresso, Green Giant, and Muir Glen and purchase everything you need for great Italian recipes like, Meatballs and Twisters.


While visiting Italian Days at Publix from February 16th through February 29th, you can also enter the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes for a chance to be 1 of 500 shoppers that will win a $100 Publix® gift card, sponsored by General Mills.


To enter to win the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes and download great coupon savings and delicious recipes, look in-store or follow the instructions below:

• Click – Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix, by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you’re registered and logged in, you can participate in any the current promotions.

• Call – If you’d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes. Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).

• Mail – If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 44257, Atlanta, Georgia 30336.

Publix and MyBlogSpark is generously giving one Cotton Pickin Cute reader a chance to win a $25 Publix gift card too!  Woo-Hoo!!
To Enter:



Please use the Rafflecopter form below.




Disclosure: The Publix Club gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Is Photobucket the Problem? Dashboard Reader Pics Keep Going MIA

I'm so tired of my pics not showing up in blogger reader! Let's see if this one does.


Nope this one didn't show up on my dashboard reader either. Everytime I post it's a guessing game as to whether it will show up or not. Last year I the fix was to never check the "stayed signed in" button on blogger. But that's not the case this time. I'm am just about over blogger. Does anyone else use photobucket? Have you had any problems with it? Please let me know. What image hosting site do you use?

Blogger and Photo Bucket - Fix this before I giveup and quit this.

Please Ignore - Just a Test

I'm so tired of my pics not showing up in blogger reader!  Let's see if this one does.

DIY Pantry Sign ~ I.E. This Little Piggy Went To The Market

This past fall we started making some changes.  Not that we had ever completed anything to begin with.  But that's the way with any house, right.  We repainted the living room a lighter brighter color. 

We didn't forget the kitchen and dining room either.  I wanted to bring in some sort of blue shade without changing all the trim molding color, because believe me when I say there is a ton.  So, we kept adjusting the blue towards more green/blue just to make it work.  I've always loved the color of the trim but if someone else was doing the work, I really would go to a white now.  Always a work in progress.

That brings me to my new sign.  Or should I say my new old sign. Right over the pantry as it should be for a reminder when my old age gets the better of me and I can't remember what I was doing.    No too shabby for a first time project. 

I used an 1x2 we had laying around and cut it to the lenght I wanted.  Then I printed the lettering I wanted in word and found the pointing hand at The Graphics Fairy.  She has such a great blog and is so generous with all her free images.

I traced the image and word on the board and painted it first.  Then I went over it with white paint. Next, I used a palm sander to give it an old look, repainted the letters one more time and sanded one more time.

I drilled two simple holes in the back without coming all the way through to the front and hung it.  Easy Peasy.  That's just how I like to do things.  If you're thinking the signs just a little to low, well you're right and you're wrong.  We still have a little trim molding to finish up like here over the pantry.  So once that's up, it'll be just right.

There's still lots of things to do and it won't be a hurry up and get it done project.  Oh' well, I'm not going anywhere.  And yep, the front entrance near the door is the catch all for the tools that need to go back to the shed, the returns hanging on the door to go back to the store, and whatever other project needs to be put away.  Hey, it's real life here, baby.

Come back later this week to see the pantry makeover I did in November but never got a chance to show you.

And don't forget to enter my Publix Running Out? Run In giveaway to win a $25 Publix Gift Card.  Just click the button below to enter.

I've linked up to the parties below:

Thanks to Brittany and Cassie for featuring me on Naturally-Nifty!!!