Monday, January 16, 2012

Winners !

The winners of my two most recent giveaways are as follows:

Wholly Guacamole Prize Pack

Sheila K!!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
92
Timestamp: 2012-01-16 18:17:16 UTC





MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking Software

Jeanne C!!!


Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
24
Timestamp: 2012-01-16 18:26:15 UTC


I have a couple of new Purex giveaways that I will be announcing this week so stick around!!!

Friday, January 6, 2012

My Favorite Reads of 2011

It is time for my yearly reading recap!  I read a lot of books....A LOT and each year I like to look back and see how many books I read and determine the ones I liked the best.  My list is based only on what I READ and doesn't necessarily mean the books were released or publish during the year.

After reviewing my list I found that I read over 77 books from January through December of 2011 and most of them were enjoyable reads.  You'll see a lot of writers who always seem to end up on my list, year after year.  I love almost anything written by Michael Lee West, Silas House, Jackie Lee Miles, Mark Childress and Susan Gregg Gilmore and they all make an appearance on this year's list.  

Here is my 2011 Best Reads list:

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
Eli the Good by Silas House
How High the Moon by Sandra Kring
Cold Rock River by Jackie Lee Miles
All That's True by Jackie Lee Miles
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Gone with  a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West
Whistling in the Dark by Leslie Kagen
South of Broad by Pat Conroy
Bloodroot by Amy Greene
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Roseflower Creek by Jackie Lee Miles

If you want to see my lists from previous years here are the links: 2010, 2009 and 2008.

What about you?  Did you read anything in 2011 that I need to hear about?  I LOVE book recommendations !!!!




Monday, January 2, 2012

Digital Creativity via My Memories Software (Review and Giveaway)

I do not claim to be a "crafty" person and I certainly don't claim to have any creative talents.  I have always dreamed about having a real "talent" especially in the areas of art and music.  But, alas, I have none....I cannot play a single musical instrument, my singing abilities are embarrassing and I have trouble drawing a stick figure.

Last week I had the opportunity to try out some digital scrapbooking software and I jumped at the chance.  I downloaded  My Memories Suite software and was off and running like an old "crafty" pro!

digital scrapbooking software


My Memories Suite is so easy to use and you can create all types of digital scrapbooks, photobooks, cards, calendars, and gifts. The software is simple enough for beginners, yet it is powerful enough for those with previous experience in digital scrapbooking.  Instructions are simple and clear - you won't need any special training and you won't have to learn any special lingo to get started.

 I took advantage of the design templates to begin my creative journey.   All I had to do is insert my pictures and my pages were done!  Here is a quick page I did with pictures of our doxie, Rudy!  



The templates can be used "as is" or modified from the original design for a personal touch.  If your creative juices are flowing you can design your own pages from scratch.  I love having that flexibility. You can also purchase additional scrapbooking kits to add even more design options.

With a long list of features, it is no surprise that My Memories Suite is rated #1 by Amazon and Top Ten Reviews.  With this software you'll get a collection of professionally designed scrapbook page templates; an assortment of  papers, embellishments, and other add-ons to help you personalize your work; the ability to add your own text and/or word art; options to enhance your creation with music, narration, video, etc. plus a slew of other great elements.

One of the best aspect of this software is how easy it is to share your work.  The sharing options offered by My Memories Suite can't be topped.  You might opt to print pages at home or at a photo print center then embellish and bind them into a traditional scrapbook or you can elect to have the books professionally printed and bound.  You can also share digitally.  For example you could turn your work into a movie and burn it to DVD; share on Facebook or your blog; or send it to your iPod.  There are many, many ways to share!

Are you ready to jump-start your creative side?


I have a coupon code good for a $10 discount on the purchase of the MyMemories Suite scrapbook software from www.MyMemories.com. (Software also comes with a $10 coupon for downloads-a total value of $20!)  ~~Just enter STMMMS19284 when checking out~~

The great folks at My Memory Suite are giving one lucky Sweet Tea in TN reader a FREE copy of their digital scrapbooking software.  

Entry Instructions:

Visit www.MyMemories.com and take a look around at the digital design kits then return to this post and complete the form below to let me know which design caught your eye.


Terms & Conditions:

  • All entries must be received before 12:01 am CST on January 14, 2012
  • One entry per person
  • Giveaway open to U.S. residents only
  • Any entry that is incomplete or that does not follow guidelines will be considered invalid
  • A winner will be selected via a random number generator
  • The winner will be contacted via email and will have 2 days to respond or an alternate winner will be selected





Disclosure: In exchange for sharing this information with my readers My Memories provided me with a free software product and sponsored this giveaway.  These items were not provided as payment for any favorable opinion or posts.   All opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure policy here: Sweet Tea's Disclosure





Friday, December 30, 2011

Great Free E-Books Available Right Now at Amazon



sophie and the rising sun book

Right now you can download the Kindle edition of  Sophie and The Rising Sun by Augusta Trobaugh for FREE!  I have read a number of books by this author (including this one) and I enjoy her work a lot.  This offer is for a limited time so hurry over to Amazon.com to download it now.







Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes book


Another FREE Kindle book you will want to download is Sweet Tea & Jesus Shoes.  This book is a collection of stories with a southern flair!  I've had this book on my radar for a long time and I'm so excited it is FREE!!






cybill disobedience book by cybill shepherd


If you are looking for non-fiction, you can get the Kindle edition of Cybill Disobedience by Cybill Shepherd for FREE right now too.  I enjoyed reading about her rise from southern beauty queen to bona fide movie star.





Don't forget - you don't have to have a Kindle to read these books!!  Amazon has a wide variety of Kindle reading apps available at NO COST to you.  These apps will allow you to read Kindle books on your PC, MAC, iPod, iPad, iPhone, or on your Blackberry, Android or Windows 7 phones.

As always, the FREE Kindle offers are for a limited time so be sure to verify that the cost is still $0 when you begin the checkout process at Amazon.



Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Wholly Guacamole and Hormel Natural Choice Lunch Meat Giveaway

Wholly Guacamole has given me the opportunity to share some great information with you AND they are sponsoring a great giveaway for my readers!

Have you seen the new guacamole snack packs offered by Wholly Guacamole?  They are only 100 calories, come in classic and spicy flavors, and are so convenient!

spicy guacamole

wholly guacamole



The snack packs are a healthy snack choice and a tasty one! They are packed with 20 vitamins and minerals and they are gluten and trans-fat free. Wholly Guacamole is made with the premiere brand of avacados - Haas Avocados so you know the quality is excellent.  I love the versatility of these snack packs as well; just freeze a package and throw it into you lunch bag.  It will be thawed just in time for lunch.

Wholly Guac isn't just for chips - try using the guac in place of mayo on your sandwiches (much healthier!) or make a healthy turkey and guac wrap for an afternoon snack.

Try using Hormel Natural Choice lunch meats for your wraps!

Hormel Natural Turkey

These meats have no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and are 98% fat free.  As a migraine sufferer I appreciate the fact that Hormel has no added MSG in their Natural Choice products.

Using Wholly Guacamole and Hormel Natural Choice products together are an easy way to eat healthy without sacrificing taste.

Are you ready to win a Wholly Guacamole Coupon Prize Pack?

The prize pack contains:
3 Wholly Guacamole FREE product coupons
1 Hormel Natural Choice product coupon
Wholly Guacamole Promotional Fun Stuff


All you need to do is submit your information in the form below and you will be entered to win.

Terms & Conditions:

  • All entries must be received before 12:01 am CST on January 7, 2012
  • One entry per person
  • Giveaway open to U.S. residents only
  • Any entry that is incomplete or that does not follow guidelines will be considered invalid
  • A winner will be selected via a random number generator
  • The winner will be contacted via email and will have 2 days to respond or an alternate winner will be selected





Disclosure: In exchange for sharing this information with my readers Wholly Guacamole provided me with products and sponsored this giveaway.  These items were not provided as payment for any favorable opinion or posts.   All opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure policy here: Sweet Tea's Disclosure