Free Lettuce Seed

The first 30,000 that pledges to share some of your harvest with a local food pantry will receive FREE lettuce seed from the Tasty Bite Seed and Crop Donation Program. To sign up, click here. This is a great way to start a garden and to give back to your local community!

A Place for Miss Snow Review

In Jennifer Moore's A Place for Miss Snow, Miss Snow's world of chaperoning and hiding behind a mask changes when she meets Alexandros Metaxas, a greek spy, who is working to recruit groups for a revolution. Will Miss Snow survive a world of pirates, revolution, blood vendettas, mortal danger and unexpected romance?

I waited a long time on the library waiting list for this book. I had high expectations since I really enjoyed Lady Helen Finds Her Song and Becoming Lady Lockwood. At first, I was a little disappointed in the novel. I struggled liking the character Alexandros Metaxas, one of the main heroes. As a reader, I knew the author was setting him up to be the main love interest, but he seemed untrustworthy and I didn't like the idea that he was encouraging others to go to war without experience in it himself. He seemed like he was more interested in himself and his ideals than others. Moore tried to explain his actions and give reasons behind them, but it still made it hard to like him. I gradually liked him more as his background story was explained more, but he's not my favorite hero. I did enjoy the other characters especially Miss Snow and Elena. I liked how they were described and portrayed. Moore does a great job with cultural and historical references to Greece. It made it easy to visualize the setting. It's not my favorite work by Moore, but it was still an entertaining read. To learn more, click here.


Please note this post contains affiliate links.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for 1 FREE Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Egg (0.99 oz.) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

This is a great freebie to save for Easter baskets, give to someone who's having a bad day or to enjoy when the kids are taking a nap.

Other Mother's Sale

Other Mothers, a children's consignment store, in Boise is having a 25¢ sale on February 24th and 25th from 10 am to 3 pm. The sale will include baby, kids and maternity clothes. Starting at 2 pm, you can fill a bag and pay just $2. Other Mothers is located at 10422 Fairview in Boise.

Idaho Power Energy Savings Kit

If you are an Idaho Resident with an active Idaho Power account, you can get a FREE energy savings kit from Idaho Power.

The kit includes:

• 9 LED bulbs
• LED night light
• High-efficiency showerhead*
• Faucet aerators (kitchen and bath)*
• Digital thermometer (to check refrigerator, freezer and water temperatures)
• Shower timer
• Water flow-rate test bag (to measure water flow)
• 1 roll of teflon tape
• 1 instruction booklet
• 1 quick-start guide
• 1 survey

* Sent only to those with electric water heaters

Idaho Power is providing these kits as a way to help its customers save money.

These are really great kits. When we got our kit, we immediately switched out our light bulbs for the LED ones and my son loves the LED night light. If you're an Idaho Power account user, I suggest signing-up to get a kit!

To sign-up to get your kit and to get more information, click here.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for ONE (1) FREE Chobani Greek Yogurt "Flip"^® Product, any variety (5.3 oz) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Willowkeep Review

In Julie Daines' book, Willowkeep (A Regency Romance),Charlotte Darby struggles to take care of her sister and her self in a rough seaport town called Hull. Charlotte's life changes when a solicitor arrives to tell her that she has inherited a vast estate from her late Uncle, Willowkeep. Willowkeep is a different world and Charlotte relies heavily on the estate's steward, Henry Moreland. Moreland is captivated by Charlotte, but he knows that his status and lack of wealth stands in his way. Charlotte faces some tough decisions and wonders how she can manage it all.

I was on the library waitlist for this book a long time and was excited when I finally was able to read it. Willowkeep started off slow, but then Daines hammered her characters with problems. It almost seemed like too much at once, but life is sometimes like that. I enjoyed some of the minor characters as much as the major characters. Willowkeep has kidnappings, adventure, mystery, intrigue, romance and even the ghost of Ann Boleyn. It's a fun and enjoyable read. To learn more, click here.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Valentine's Day Books for Kids

I love reading seasonal and holiday books to my kids. It gets our family excited about the upcoming holiday. Here are some of our favorite books for Valentine's Day:

   
Both of my kids love Curious George. They enjoying learning about his adventures and mishaps. Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George! shares how Curious George celebrates Valentine's Day with friends. My little ones enjoyed lifting the flaps and looking at the illustrations. We've been reading this book a few times a day! To learn more, click here.




In Mary Engelbreit's Queen of Hearts, Ann Estelle is trying to make the best valentine box ever, but she is forgetting something. What is it? This is such a cute story on how to show love and kindness to friends. To learn more, click here.

Here Comes Valentine Cat is a cute story about a cat who thinks Valentine's Day is too mushy. The narrator suggests that the cat make a valentine for his neighbor, the dog. Cat thinks the dog is too noisy and can't understand why he keeps throwing bones over the fence. Cat decides to take a stand, but then dog sends a Valentine's Day card over the fence. What will Cat do? This story was a very cute Valentine story with clever illustrations. It's a Valentine's Day must read. Click here for more details.

What are some of your favorite Valentine's Day books?

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for 1 FREE Hershey’s Cookie Layer Crunch Caramel Bar (1.4 oz.) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

When We Last Spoke Review and Giveaway

Marci Henna shares the story of sisters, Juliet and Evangeline Cranborne in When We Last Spoke. Juliet hasn't seen her sister, Evangeline, in years from a rift during their past. She invites her sister home for Christmas to choose a headstone to honor their grandparents, Walt and Ruby. When Evangeline returns home, the sisters reminiscence and share some healing memories to help renew their sisterhood and find peace.

Henna's descriptive quality and storytelling in When We Last Spoke brought the characters and their memories to life. She shared such vivid details that it almost felt like like I was reading a memoir instead of a fictional story. The sisters' lives are filled with heart-wrenching drama and love in expected and unexpected places. When We Last Spoke inspires, entertains and may even cause a few tears. To learn more about When We Last Spoke, check out the following links:

• Fireside Books Website
• Facebook 
• Twitter
• Good Reads
• Trailer
• Amazon - Softcover, Kindle 

The author is also giving away a FREE kindle version of the book on Amazon on February 20-24.

Flyby Promotions and the publication company has generously donated a book for me to offer as a giveaway on this blog. You can win the book (and an introductory DVD), When We Last Spoke (retail value of $11.38) by entering through the Rafflecopter down below. The giveaway will run until 12 am on February 15, 2017 wherein I will select 1 winner through Rafflecopter. This is for U.S. residents only and 18+ please. I will email the winner of the book and ask for shipping information. Please respond within 24 hours or the prize maybe forfeited to another winner. PLEASE READ THE DISCLOSURE DOWN BELOW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Please note that there are amazon affiliate links on this post.

The Lady of the Lakes Review

The Lady of the Lakes by Josi S. Kilpack tells the story of Sir Walter Scott's first love and his best love. Walter Scott has three passions: poetry, Scotland and Mina Stuart.  For years he is encouraged by her and feels that his love with her is destined to be, but is it? Is his love with Mina Stuart, his first love, to be his best and truest love?

I really enjoyed reading The Lady of the Lakes. I remember sitting in a literature class in college and discussing Sir Walter Scott, his relationships and poetry. He is one of my favorite poets. It was interesting to read about Sir Walter's Scott's romances even if it was fictionalized. The only thing that bothered me a little is that he seemed easily carried away in his romance with Williamina and that seemed similar to Kilpack's portrayal of Henry Longfellow when he was overly interested in Fanny. I am not sure if the similarities were apparent in the research that Kilpack did, if it was just her perception or just that the poetic man usually pines for someone who is not as interested. I really liked Kilpack's portrayal of Charlotte and some of the other characters. Overall, it was a fun, interesting read. It's a book I would want to read again. Click here for more information.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon ONE (1) FREE Campbell’s Well Yes Soup, any variety (16.1 oz -16.6 oz (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Fun Things to Do in Boise for February

It's cold and snowy in Boise, but there are still plenty of things to do. Are you looking for things to do in Boise? Here's a listing of some of the events happening in Boise for February:

• February 3, 2017 or February 4, 2017 - Valentine Trouble Puppet Show at the Boise Main Library. Porcupine wants to make Valentines for his friends, but its hard to do with sharp quills. FREE. Click here for more details.
• February 4, 2017 - Sing Along with Don at the Boise Main Library at 11 am. Click here for more information.
• February 4, 2017 - Catch the Groundhog Race at Boise State University at 9:30 am. Click here for more information.
• February 4, 2017 - Wild at Heart from 10 am - 5 pm at Zoo Boise. FREE ADMISSION to Zoo Boise and enjoy a special Valentine's Day Theme. Kids can even make a Valentine's Day card for their favorite animal. Click here for more information.
• February 4, 2017 - Engineering and Science Festival from 9 am to 4pm at the Boise State College of Engineering. Hands on activities and demos geared for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. To learn more, click here. Online Registration needed.
• February 8, 2017 - Early Learning Day at 10:45 am -1 pm at the Idaho State Capitol Rotunda. Be a champion for Early Learning and join in for Block Fest, a hands on exhibit for kids. Find out more here. 
• February 11, 2017 - Run 4 Luv at Ann Morrison Park. Click here to register.
• February 13, 2017 - Writing Screenplays 101 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Boise Main Library. Click here for more details.
• February 15, 2017 - Wonderful Water Cycle at 4pm at the Boise Main Library. Learn about how water moves around the world and dance the Water Cycle Boogie. Click here for more information. 
• February 24, 2017 - Puppet Show at 4 pm at the Victory View Library. Click here for more information.  

If you have a family-friendly activity in the Boise area that you would like posted, please feel free to contact me via the contact page.

February Giveaways (low to moderate entry)

I like entering low to moderate entry giveaways and I share each month some of the blog giveaways I've entered and found online. Check back often to see if I have posted more giveaways. I try and post them as I find them.

If you are hosting a family-friendly giveaway on your blog and would like to see it listed here, please contact me. If you have a won a giveaway that I posted, please leave a comment and share that you won.

$50 Visa Gift Card (ends February 1, 2017)
$100 Spanx Credit (ends February 1, 2017)
$25 Old Navy Gift Card (ends February 3, 2017)
$50 Williams Sonoma Gift Card and Pizza Maker (ends February 3, 2017)
Skip Hop Must Haves Prize Pack (ends February 3, 2017)
$100 NFL Gift Shop Gift Card (ends February 5, 2017) 
Tea Collection Play Set Clothes (ends February 5, 2017)
Chapstick Hydration Products and $25 Target Gift Card (ends February 6, 2017)
Pfizer Pediatric Products and $25 Gift Card (ends February 6, 2017)
Krusteaz Breakfast Night In Prize Pack (ends February 6, 2017)
Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake (ends February 6, 2017) 
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends February 6, 2017)
$25 Target Gift Card and ChapStick Total Hydration Products (ends February 7, 2017)
$25 Target Gift Card and Chapstick Total Hydration Products (ends February 8, 2017) 
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends February 8, 2017)
$25 Target Gift Card and Chapstick Total Hydration Products (ends February 8, 2017)
Halo's New Year Gift Box (ends February 9, 2017)
Halo's New Year Gift Box (ends February 9, 2017)
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends February 9, 2017)
Disney's Pinocchio (ends February 9, 2017)
Freshly Picked Shoes/Moccasins (ends February 10, 2017)
$25 Ruby Tuesdays Gift Card (ends February 10, 2017)
Entenmann's Coupons and $25 Visa Gift Card (ends February 11, 2017)
Hideaboo Hideout of Your Choice (ends February 12, 2017)
$150 Threads for Thoughts Gift Card (ends February 12, 2017)
Halo's New Year Gift Box (ends February 13, 2017)
$25 Dick Sporting Goods Gift Card (ends February 14, 2017)
When We Last Spoke Book (ends February 15, 2017) 
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends February 16, 2017)
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends February 17, 2017)
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends February 17, 2017)
$25 Ruby Tuesday Gift Card (ends February 17, 2017)
$50 Sephora Gift Card and Smashbox Palette (ends February 20, 2017)
American Girl Doll Gabriella (ends February 20, 2017)
$25 Dick Sporting Goods Giveaway (ends February 20, 2017)
Cafe Rio Gift Cards for Entree and Drink (ends February 20, 2017)
Krusteaz Breakfast Basket (ends February 21, 2017) 
$25 Visa Gift Card and Lego Batman Movie Prize Pack (ends February 22, 2017)
Lego Batman Movie Prize Pack (ends February 22, 2017)
Krusteaz Breakfast Prize Pack (ends February 23, 2017)
$25 Dick Sporting Goods (ends February 23, 2017)
$25 Target Gift Card, Pfizer Products and 20th Century Fox DVD (ends February 26, 2017)
$25 Visa Gift Card and Sick Day Prize Pack (ends February 26, 2017)
Free Race Code for US Spartan Race (ends February 27, 2017)
Time for Kids Presidents of the United States (ends February 27, 2017)