And the Winners are...

#12.

#9.


#4. Number 12 and Number 9 tied for first place in the Reader's Choice catagory.

Number 4 was picked from my hand by Sammy boy who at first refused to cooperate, but was then bribed into compliance since he and Gabe are the only other two people in the house and I obviously couldn't be trusted to draw one from my own hand!

WHEW! This has been quite the contest!

Congratulations to the winners! Ladies, please send me your first name and e-mail address to my e-mail address (emilydeon(at)gmail(dot)com) and I'll get the info to the proper place! (I'm sending your info at the same time, Marni.)

Then go praise me on your blog and tell all your friends they should be reading my blog because I'm awesome.

If you didn't win, JUST BUY THE DANG BOOK!!! It's only $30 with the coupon code GRATUIT and it's worth it! Just look at those cute covers!!!! (And let me reiterate, the INSIDE of the book is awesome too. You'll love it.) Plus, you're helping the economy. It's pretty much a win/win, people!

And then you should go to your blog and praise me too, because I really did want you to win, also. I really did!

Thanks for playing everyone! It's been fun!

I have one more give-away coming up before Christmas, (courtesy of my Dad: Dale-Bud) so stay tuned!

Vote For Your FAVORITE Custom Cover!

Leave a comment telling me which one is your favorite.  (Tell me the number directly ABOVE your favorite...a description wouldn't hurt either.)  Anonymous entries wont be counted.  If you want to win, get your friends and family over here to vote for you.  There will be two "Reader's Choice" awards and one "Random Choice" award.  If you haven't entered, you're too late to qualify for Reader's Choice but you still have a shot at the Random Choice award!  

The contest will end Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. my time.  Which I'm hoping will make it Monday evening/night for most of you.  (Don't ask me to do math.  It's not my strong suit.)  

Um...I'm 14 hours ahead of Rhode Island and 17 hours ahead of California if that helps...

Now go forth and VOTE!!!

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.

And The Winner is...

MARNI! Congratulations to my former Rhode Island neighbor! I hope you enjoy your book! (Stay on the line and I'll get your information.)

How did I pick Marni? I didn't. Doug did.

After extensive pondering on the merits of random selection versus selection based on photographic merit/artistic unity/biased preference, etc., my brain started swelling so I said "Doug pick a number between 1 and 12!" He said 8. And Marni left the 8th comment. (Once I deleted Melissa's second comment to make it fair. Sorry Melissa.) So if you didn't win, you can blame him. ;)

Now I know why people use that obnoxious Random-number-picker-generator! Anyway, like I said...there will be four winners total, so don't give up hope! And please enter if you haven't already!!! I'll use a different selection technique next time. Just to keep things interesting.

It's Like Christmas In My In-Box

Some of the first excellent entries...This is actually really fun for me!!!  I love seeing what you choose for your custom cover!!!!    

(The following is a picture of the dress I never even knew I wanted!  Isn't she gorgeous?)More tomorrow...PLUS THE FIRST WINNER!!!

(There will be THREE MORE after that!!!  HECK YEAH!!!)
:)

"America at Home" GIVE-AWAY TODAY!

Warning: The word "cool" is over-used in this post.

Just recently I've started getting solicitations from different companies asking me to review their product or service.  Some I answer, some I ignore.  A few weeks ago I go a random solicitation from Kim asking me to review a coffee table book.  I wrote back and said "If you send me a free copy, I'll review it!"  I guess I'd thought it was a mass solicitation so I was surprised when I got an e-mail back saying "I'd love to send you a copy!"

I was even more surprised when I got the book and looked at it. It's actually REALLY COOL! 

Not only that, it would be a really cool Christmas (or other) gift for that hard-to-buy-for person-in-your-life-who-likes-cool-photography-and/or-reading-about-the- lives-of-total-strangers. (You know...THAT person.)  

So I wrote Kim back again and said, "Will you send me ANOTHER copy to give away on my blog?"

And Kim said "I'll give you LOTS of copies to give away on your blog!"

And I said, "HECK YEAH!"

So let's cut to the chase and I'll tell you about the book:

Actually, let me let Kim tell you about the book:

"AMERICA AT HOME is extraordinary book created by 100 of the worlds leading photographers and tens of thousands of amateurs over the course of one week (its from the folks who created the best selling "Day in the Life" books). The large format 224 page book book offers an unexpected look at the rituals, ceremonies and all the myriad ways in which we work, play, learn, conduct our lives, and interact with friends, family members (and pets!) as we transform our dwellings into our homes...."
blah blah blah.  You get the idea.

The cool part is, all of the photo's come with a little story. A little written snapshot (if you will) to go along with the photograph. It's sort of like having a vast array of interesting blogs condensed and presented in book form for your voyeuristic pleasure.

Not only did it suck me right in, it's the kind of thing that you want to share with other people so you keep calling--say--your husband over until he eventually takes the book in annoyance and then he gets sucked in and wont give it back and wont move out of the computer chair to join you on the couch. (It could happen.)

Now, here's the OTHER really cool part. Let's go back to the borrowed words again. (I'm still really tired from Doug's absence.)

"The coolest* thing about the book is that you can upload a photo of your own kids or your home or pets and when the book arrives your family is featured on the cover of the book."

Now really, you must admit that's cool.  You get to make your own custom dust jacket for the book.  So not only is YOUR photograph part of the publication, it's the COVER PHOTO!

It just so happens I had the perfect picture of my little demons, eh hem, angels and MY custom cover is on the way!  (See a picture in the sidebar.)

So here's the deal:  If you want to buy the book, do it here.  Enter:  GRATUIT and you'll get it for $30 instead of $40.  Don't forget to order you custom cover!!!

If you want to WIN the book and cover for free, here's what you do:

1)  Go to www.MyAmericaAtHome.com and create your own custom cover.  (It's super-duper quick and easy.)  

2)  Then e-mail a copy to emilydeon(at)gmail(dot)com.  (I might just post it on this blog!)  

3)  Then leave a comment on this post.  (I just threw that last part in 'cause I like comments.)

I will announce the first winner on Friday!  (Make sure you've added me to your reader so you'll be informed of the winner!!)

There will be MULTIPLE WINNERS so give it a shot and ENTER!!!

Good luck!  See you back here on FRIDAY!!!

*See!  Kim started it!  (Yes, I know I need to get a new word.  But I'm not about to start using "rad" again.  I have my standards!)

Old Navy Costumes: The Best* Part of Halloween

I miss Old Navy. I really really miss it. I miss shopping for bargains, and I miss buying the boys .25 cent bouncy balls to add to our collection. (Dear Old Navy, Do you think you could start selling the bouncy balls on-line?!? Please?!?)

What I'm really missing right now though, are the super cute, super affordable, super soft and durable HALLOWEEN COSTUMES!!!
We've purchased quite a few over the years and we've never been disappointed.
Two years ago Max decided he wanted to be a pirate for Halloween. CHEAP AND EASY!!! I'm thinkin'. He's already got a hat, a patch, the swords...

All he needs is a vest and maybe a red and white striped sash!

So I head to Jo-Ann's thinking for once I'll attempt a sewing project. I find a pattern for a pirate costume. It's $17.99. WHAT THE...?!?!?! It's a PATTERN! I still have to do ALL THE WORK!!

Needless to say, I didn't buy it.

A few days later, discouraged, I head into Old Navy for something else and find a pirate costume. It's $24.99 and it's the cutest thing you've ever seen.

We still have it and Max still sports it on a bi-weekly basis.

In fact, we still have ALL of the costumes we've purchased at Old Navy over the years. Most were purchased on sale after Halloween (A few for as little as $5) but they've been the best quality, cutest, softest costumes I've ever purchased.

Sammy the Monkey and Gabey the Lion were two of my favorites, but Max's pirate costume has gotten by far the most use! (I have a really cute Froggy costume saved that'll fit Gabey perfectly this year...YAY!)

Thank you, Old Navy, for providing adorable, well designed, good quality costumes!!!

(Except for maybe the Elephant costumes. They might need a re-design as it was pointed out to me that they are slightly, um..., phallic in nature. Other than that though, you're doing GREAT!)

All the rest of you, since I'm here and you're there, do me a favor and buy your kids an Old Navy costume this year!

Happy Halloween!!!

*Of course you all realize I'm exaggerating. Candy is OBVIOUSLY the best part of Halloween...!

ING Direct, I love you... (Bank of America, I HATE you...)

This morning I found the following letter in my in-box.  Now, usually, I don't pay much attention to "official" e-mails, but today I read the whole thing.  And it just reminded me, again, how much I love this company.  

I believe we first heard about ING from friends when we were still living in San Francisco.  A "virtual" bank was an entirely new concept to us, but we thought it sounded pretty cool.  Then, the friend sent us an invitation to join.  We were offered $25 just for opening a savings account.   (He got $15 for signing us up.)  Yep, that's right.  They gave us FREE MONEY for opening an account...as opposed to demanding a minimum balance like some places.  (I HATE you Bank of America. H-A-T-E!)  

Anyway, we realized that they paid much higher interest than who we were currently using, and we've been loyal customers ever since...slowly transferring more an more of our business to them.  We've never had a single complaint.  Not only that, I actually like calling customer service when I have a question because a really nice native english speaker always answers the phone and says "Hi!  How can I save you money today?"

If you haven't yet, I highly recommend that you check out ING.  And let me know if you want an invitation to join...I can always use an extra 15 bucks!

Dear Emily,
Customer Number: XXXXXXX000

As we enter the final few months of 2008, I want to thank you for your continued confidence in ING DIRECT. Over 700,000 new Savers have joined us so far this year strengthening the bank and their own financial footing through our savings, home mortgage and ShareBuilder investment accounts. Despite a challenging economic climate, our Customer base is 7 million strong and growing.

The consequences of the mortgage meltdown on financial institutions and individuals continue to erode many Americans' dreams. We will continue to stress the right way to achieve home ownership – buying only as much house as you can afford and paying off your mortgage as fast as possible. In return for good credit and prioritizing home investment, ING DIRECT mortgage Customers are rewarded with exceptional rates and a transparent, direct administration process. Rather than selling your mortgage to another bank or investor the minute you get it, we keep your mortgage and service it here. Doing so gives us flexibility to find innovative solutions to help Customers keep their homes during unexpected financial downturns.

While we don’t have an Orange crystal ball, we do expect the economy to remain fragile through 2009. The best course of action for our Customers is to be disciplined: avoid splurging; identify and cut out unnecessary expenses and save for what's essential; and hedge against those tough times. We can all benefit by developing good spending habits: confront - and cut up - credit cards; use your home as a savings vehicle - not as an ATM; and establish and contribute regularly to an IRA or 401(k).

In this difficult financial environment, we work tirelessly to safeguard your deposits, mortgages and investments. Importantly, your deposits are FDIC-insured according to its limits and your investments are SIPC-protected. Our security processes are the best in the business and are in place to protect your savings from those with bad intentions. While we are constantly vigilant, we need your help. Keep passwords to yourself. Never give personal information through an email. And always install both the latest antivirus and anti-malware software on your home computer.

Thank you for your continued trust in
ING DIRECT. We will not waver in our promise to provide you with great value, service, security and convenience.

Arkadi Kuhlmann
CEO of Savings

Cargo Pants and Why I Hate Them

An Open Letter to THE MAN (Or Woman. Whatever.)

Dear Designers and Manufacturers of Clothing for Male Children of All Ages,  (DaMoCfMCoAA)

Can you PLEASE stop making Cargo Pants? I mean, SERIOUSLY! I can't take it anymore!

I know you think there needn't be any variety in the Boy Clothing Department (aka The Rack of Clothing on the Edge of the Girl Department). I know you think that the two brands of identical Cargo Pants offered at Target and Wal-Mart (the only two places I shop) should be adequate.
But let me tell you something...

I HATE THEM!

Here is what I hate about them...

THE POCKETS!!!

Those blasted 58 pockets!

They hang open, look messy, collect EXCESSIVE amounts of dirt and sand (which is redistributed all over my house), they're bulky, inefficient, and MOST OF ALL...
they prevent me from being able to fold the pants flat.

And if there is one thing I hate, it's crappily folded clothing that doesn't fit nicely in our limited drawer space!!!SO PLEASE! Enough with the cargo pants! Simple 5-pocket jeans and/or shorts will be just fine!

And feel free to sew the pockets closed. If my son needs to carry something, I'll get him a man-purse.

Sincerely,
Emily W.

The Sneaky Chef - First Try Recipe Review

***update: 10/03/08  I just got an e-mail requesting the use of this very review in Missy Chase Lapine's new third cookbook!  If they use it, I get a FREE signed copy of her new book!  I LOVE blogging!!!***

A few days ago I tried my first "sneaky" recipe from my new cookbook, "The Sneaky Chef" by Missy Lapine*.
We had two little boys over to play so I thought I'd slack off and make Mac n' Cheese for DINNER. (Doug wasn't home and I wasn't about to battle 4 boys without help.)

I looked doubtfully at the cookbook thinking it couldn't help me without a separate trip to the store, but was pleasantly surprised!

There were actually a few suggestions for improving boxed Mac and Cheese! The first was to add 2-4 Tablespoons of "White Bean Puree" along with the regular cheese sauce package and just make it as directed.
I looked up the recipe for "White Bean Puree" thinking it would be hard to make or I wouldn't have the ingredients.

It said to mix a can of white beans (in a food processor if you've got one) with few tablespoons of water. That's it!

Easy enough! I keep canned beans in the pantry for Fae's Taco Stuff so that was no problem. I blended them. I added a few scant tablespoons to the Kraft (which I have never ever ever deluded myself into thinking was healthy) and I served it.

The kids loved it. They had no idea it was any different. But they got fiber, protein, whatchmacallit, and (probably) some vitamin whatever. And they didn't even blink.

So I'm sold. I'm a believer.

If I never try another recipe, it'll be worth keeping this book around! (Don't worry Claudia. I'll try more than one recipe.)

I always knew beans really were a magical fruit!
Hooray for the Sneaky Chef!!!

*I am not getting paid by anyone to promote this cookbook, but if you send me a check I'll HAPPILY promote it EVEN MORE!!!

Baby Jamz

***This review was quoted on the website PRWeek!  Which means I've been "published".  Which means I'm famous now.***

Awhile ago my sister-in-law Laura got me this sweet new gig with a company called "Team Mom". Every once in awhile, they're gonna send me a kid-related product or toy for FREE and I'll review it on my blog. It's pretty much a win/win situation for everyone. (Did I mention I get stuff for FREE?!?) Well, I got my first box from Team Mom and it was sorta like Christmas.

The first product I've been asked to review is the...*drumroll please*Baby Jamz Jammin' Microphone and the BabyJamz Nursery Rhyme CD.This is a new hip-hop toy line created by the Familia Knowles. The songs on the c.d. are old stand-bys like "This Old Man" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" but hip-hop-funkified.
I have only three words to describe it: Fresh to Death!

Now, being more of an 80's fan myself, I admit I would have preferred a toy synthesizer which played kid versions of "Just Can't Get Enough" and "Oh l'Amour" but we can't always get what we want. (But we get what we need.)

So what did the boys think? Before we even got the microphone out of the package, both Max and Sam were fighting over it and getting their hip-hop groove on. The mic amplifies your voice but also plays songs and lets you record your voice and play it back. It's the shizzle!

Once the C.D. was pumping the dance party began. Max was poppin'some SERIOUS moves. Arms were flying, heads rocking, and hips, um...gyrating? It was quite a sight.

If you love hip-hop and want to get your kids to get their groove on, you gotta get you some of this action in the hizzle. 

For rizzle. 

Oh no I di'nt. 

Oh yes I did.  

(If you DON'T love hip-hop, you'd be better off jamming bamboo shoots under your finger nails.)

<insert video of Max dancing here>

(I missed Max's most SWEET dance moves and he couldn't be bothered to recreate them...but you get the idea.)

Oh yeah! You can get the goods at Wal-Mart!

Peace Out!