John Paul Pet Feature and Giveaway On Our Pet Blog!

Head on over to Time Out For Truffles to read all about John Paul Pet products 'test on humans first' mantra, and salon style grooming formulas. We are pampered over here with the gentle cleansing wipes, detangle spray and the EDTA/PAraben Free Awapoochi collection!

Sam's Club 500k Bonus Box Tops Giveaway~ 9/14

Momma Told Me: It's better to give, than receive; unless you can do both!

Box Tops For Education is not a new concept to Momma Told Me- I've sung the praises of the General Mills based program, for years. Back when I was married I'd religiously cut each and every little stamp off of everything from Ziploc bags and Lucky Charms, to the more obscure product packages like Pillsbury Grands! Rolls and Old El Paso Taco Shells. I'd slip them into a little brown baggie and hold onto them until my Sister In Law came calling for collections. Her 7 year old son went to school at an institution that had Box Tops down to an art, setting a goal for each classroom, and even motivating the kids(moms) to collect with the promise of a pizza party. If you've ever wondered if Box Tops really make a difference, I can attest they do- this particular school was one of the leaders in our area, and relied on Box Tops to fund many of their extracurricular and craft projects each year.

When the Box Tops for Education program first began it was a humble collection of, primarily cereal, products by General Mills. Clipping tops was much more dubious back then, and hunting down brands and products with them a little more time consuming. These days there are over 100 products with Box Tops, many on brands you already love and use daily! You can also earn additional box tops, bonus tops, through various methods when you sign up online. 5 Box Tops are worth $.50 to your school of choice, and right now, there's an extra special way to earn 5 Bonus Box Tops, shopping at Sam's Club. Now through September 1, or until supplies run out, log-in to btfe.com/clickandlearn , with your Sam's Club receipt, and enter the provided bonus code (at the bottom of said receipt). There are just a few basic survey questions to answer, then, viola! 5 FREE Bonus Box Tops for your school!

Sam's Club is a great way to save on all of your favorite General Mills brands, buying in bulk/family sizes- you'll still get your 'usual' box tops, and sometimes even bonus bundles! Each registered school can earn up to $20k a year, participating in Box Tops for Education- that's no chump change! If you're not currently saving Box Tops, hurry and sign up before September 1, 2012, and claim a generous 100 Box Tops credited to their account. That's a $10 donation for your school of choice, valid as a printable voucher (to be turned in with tops, to your school). The Sam's Club 500k Box Tops giveaway also runs through 9/1, or until all 500k Box Tops have been claimed, so don't delay!

What Daughter Says: Even though I don't have kids enrolled in K-12, I still donate my Box Tops to our local school. It's too easy not to, and it's a great cause! Is a school near you participating?

Sam's Club, MyBlogSpark, and General Mills have offered one Momma Told Me follower a $25 Sam's Club (WalMart) Gift Card!
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Vacation Files 3: Penn's Landing and Spirit Of Philadelphia Cruise

For those following along with our Philadelphia journey, we had just wrapped up the afternoon of our second day with a trip to Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. As our plans for the evening required a little more dressy attire, we'd decided to catch the 3:56 train back to the drop off station a block from our hotel. Because we were staying near the Airport, this is one of the major, and frequent, stops along the train route. I really don't think I've stressed it enough, so I'll note again that I was completely surprised by the affordability, convenience, and ease of Philadelphia's SEPTA public transportation system. For just $12 a rider may get a Day Pass and hop on/off any of the 5 major city transportation methods. A family of 4 can save even further, up to half of that, making travel to Philadelphia, and important historical destinations, a reality. If you're aware of the notorious Philadelphia Parking Authority, you know that public transportation can be invaluable- don't rent a car in Philly! The trains, trams, trolleys, and buses are quite clean and safe!

After a quick shower and change our group was ready to head to it's evening destination, Penn's Landing (Philadelphia's main Deleware riverfront destination). While we could have easily taken the public transportation for this, as well, we all hopped into my mother's car, as we were not sure how late we would truly be out. Because we arrived about an hour early, we had some time to spend enjoying the sites and many monuments along the riverfront at Penn's Landing. From the parking lot the first visible landmark (or I should say watermark) was the acclaimed Moshulu pirate ship, restaurant, and club. A long canopied plank extended from the docked ship towards the sidewalk, and dance music could be heard from the upper deck even at only 5PM. Docked behind the Moshulu was U.S.S. Olympia and a real Navy Submarine! I'm no history buff, but even I was impressed to be so close to such amazing vessels. The U.S.S. Olympia has been converted into a floating museum, where visitors can actually walk across the submarine beside it, to enter! There was even talk of select season opportunities to spend a night about the 'haunted' vessel- too cool!

Further down along the waterfront, towards the left past the Independence seaport Museum was a captivating fountain (currently empty), that passed as a makeshift amphitheater. Along the top of this area of intrigue were curious gargoyle like faces that, at one time, had dispensed streams of water. There was something oddly serene about this hideaway, with the tall and shady trees gently swaying above us and the Benjamin Franklin Monument towering in the distance. We stopped here for a photo op- the other half and I have so few decent photos, then wandered back towards our final destination; The Spirit of Philadelphia. Now, never having been to Philadelphia, nor ever possessing the desire, I approached this trip with quite the carefree attitude. As you're finding out, we actually found quite a few noteworthy things to do- this one in particular with the help of Groupon. I saved over 50% on 4 tickets to an evening dinner cruise on The Spirit of Philadelphia (a subdivision of a larger national cruise company).

For about $24 a head I scored us tickets for, what I thought was, a relaxing 3 hour cruise around the Philadelphia harbor, including a buffet style dinner. The part I had missed in the description was 'with entertainment'- and boy did they mean entertainment! When we first boarded the 400 capacity yacht there was staff waiting to snap our picture behind a life preserver. I always avoid those photo opps like crazy, because no one in our group ever wants to shell out the extra dough, when they have their own cameras, but it turns out some of our photos were lost- and I ended up regretting this. This ship had 3 floors open to passengers, and a below deck for staff and the wedding party that was also partaking in the day's festivities. Inside our deck was a decent sized dance floor, complete with DJ and full service bar. There were small dining tables set about the walls of the room, and a buffet serving station in the back.

We had barely put butt to seat when we noticed their nifty little 'add-on' of the evening, the Monster Margaritas sold in what we would come to call the 'fish bowl' souvenir glasses. None of us are large drinkers, but for $30, we were in. Each of the couples tried to kill one off throughout the night (and I bummed most of my 'half' on Jeremy- I only wanted the glass!) As the ship began to leave it's dock, and before we'd even had a chance to judge the food selection, we were informed that we had boarded a 'party' ship, and instructed to participate in various cheers, chants, and even to throw provided streamers. Things were getting pretty cheesy, but what can you expect on a cruise? I do have to say, however, that the food was quite delicious; ranging from steamed Atlantic salmon to Chicken Fontina and a complete Carving Station. Some of the carved meat was a little dry, but I found there was more than enough unlimited salmon to keep me quite content.

Before they served dessert, however, we had also discovered that the 'entertainment' on The Spirit of Philadelphia is provided by the actual servers who, one by one, make the rounds singing along to popular and classic songs. Some of the servers seem to get quite into it, though we found we enjoyed those who had no aspirations of fame the most; they seemed to have more fun. Not only were these servers singing and dancing, but they seemed to be encouraged to interact with the passengers, our very own server coming up to my other half (complete with pink feather boa) and serenading him. As she was a very bubbly full figured gal, who had up to this point been more reserved and humble, this was definitely a note of the night! When we had eaten our decadent dessert trios we mosied outside and up to the top deck where there was ample lounging furniture. The weather sprinkled a little, but there was otherwise perfect weather for an evening in the harbor, reconnecting with family.

As Required By the FTC: All entities mentioned within are done so without solicitation. This post is not endorsed in any manner, and all services mentioned were paid for out of pocket. All opinions are mine, and mine alone.

Wordless Wednesday: Dog Days of Summer

Wordless Wednesday: She's Coming...

Foodie PenPal: My First Month's Goodie Box

Hi there! If you're coming from Momma Told Me, then you're already a little aware of the Foodie PenPal program, but for those new, let me tell you what this post is all about. Started by Lindsay, of The Lean Green Bean, almost a year ago, this monthly (free) online social event is open to both bloggers and readers. Over 1000 participants signed up this month, in the US alone, committing to send a box of foodie goodies ($15 value cap) to a complete stranger; in the name of sharing great food, and meeting new people. Every month, on the 5th of the month, Julie sends out a spreadsheet with your randomly assigned match. The person you will be sending a box to is NOT the person you will receive a box from; so you get to meet 2 new people each month!

Once you have your contact information, it is up to you to reach out to your Foodie PenPal and request their mailing information, in addition to any food allergies/preferences. Then, you have until the 15th of the month to put together an array of store bought and/or home cooked goodies. Julie requires that each box contains something hand written, from an actual penpal letter to a simple explanation of what's inside. When you receive your box you're welcome to dig in and start enjoying all the wonderful treats. Then, on the last day of each month, all of the Foodie PenPals post a reveal of what they received. If your recipient doesn't own a blog, they can elect to write a guest post for your site and vice versa. This program was the inspiration for Time Out For Truffles new PetPals PenPal program, ran along a similar set-up, for pet owners. I highly suggest checking them BOTH out, they're great ways to take your social network offline, and even encourage social skills within families. Why not sign up the family and make it a monthly project?

This month my match was Julie from ROJ Running, active lifestyle blog. Just reading a single post on her blog is incredibly motivating; I don't know how she has such wonderful drive to complete some of the events I read about her training for. Her site is definitely a great resource for any runner or even the closet foodie (with her Friday Food posts). Just drooling over the Chicken Cacciatore with Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe in her archives, I knew I was in for a treat with her as my Foodie PenPal. When her box arrived I couldn't wait to slice into it; it was substantial in weight. On top of a pile of peanuts was a nestled blue envelope, and some Emergen-C Blueberry Acai Single Serve Packets. I was in love with Julie already- as we are huge fans of Emergen-C, and this was a new flavor to me. These immune boosting supplements are easy on the tastebuds, and have gotten me through some sketchy times. The Blueberry Acai flavor is surprisingly tart, with a touch of sweet, for a flavor that reminds me of a berry lemonade.

Julie's note revealed that she was an ambassador for Marathon (energy bars), and she has included some bite sized samples for me. It's hard to imagine these little guys are chocked full of energy and protein, the Snickers inspired one eats just like a candy bar. Best of all, Marathon bars don't have that artificial aftertaste or cardboard chewy texture some other brands can have. In the middle of the peanuts was a bag of Sahale nuts; which we've reviewed on Momma Told Me before, to much praise. I'd never seen this flavor before, however, and was thrilled to try out the new to me Barbeque flavor, spiced with a hint of chipotle. These almonds have a very mellow build that isn't too salty, nor hot. There is a light heat that builds after a while, yet is intense in flavor, not palette. Also included was a package of Whole Wheat gnocchi, made from sweet potatoes. I love to switch up our pasta with gnocchi from time to time (it is so easy to prepare), and this potato based dish will certainly find it's way to our plates soon. Equally tempting visually was the jar of Chunky Ginger Preserves, with a golden apricot hue that begs to be spread across a layer of cream cheese on my morning bagel.

Perhaps the most unique, and pure fun, item from our box was Dr.Oetker's Mug Cake (chocolate). I've seen various versions of mug cakes on the Food Network, but never in box form at the stores. I was quite excited to try this out, though I substituted the suggested 1/4 cup milk for Rice Milk. It was as easy as pour and mix, then microwave for about 1 minute (our microwave took longer than suggested). In no time my boring coffee mug was transformed into a decadent desert. I'll admit- I burnt my tongue scarfing it down, it was that good! This particular flavor was very rich, yet had a malt flavor that reminded me of a dark chocolate malt or meal. The texture was fluffy, yet quick to moisten into a brownie texture when chewed. I intend on hunting this down and adding it to stocking this year!

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my first month with the Foodie PenPal program. Thank you to Julie of ROJ Running for the wonderful box of goodies, and Lindsay of the Lean Green Bean for organizing this month's event!