*C.L. Beck, author*: September 2011

Sam's Club Pink Promotion Gift Card Giveaway

Posted by C.L. (Cindy) Beck

Tags: (Sam's Club, MyBlogSpark, breast cancer, giveaway)

As some may remember, breast cancer is an issue that is important in my life. My mom is a 15 year (plus) survivor, and is actively involved in a breast cancer survivor group, as well as in awareness activities. And one thing I like about this Sam's Club giveaway is that it's not only the opportunity for someone to win a $25 gift card, but also the chance to give back to breast cancer education and research by purchasing specially marked General Mills products. For example, my family loves Yoplait yogurt and I'm planning on purchasing some with the gift card I received through Sam's Club and MyBlogSpark.

What Sam's Club and General Mills Say
This October, by making simple everyday purchases at Sam´s Club, you can help support breast cancer education and research. Beginning September 19th, Sam´s Club stores will feature exclusive pink packaging on some of your favorite participating General Mills products in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Give back by purchasing your favorite cereal or snack!

For 5 years, General Mills has partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Foundation to bring breast cancer support to local communities, and this year they are making their annual donation of $2 million to the foundation to advance breast cancer research and support education and community outreach projects.

Purchase specially-marked General Mills products like Cheerios and Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies at your local Sam´s Club and help decide how half of that contribution will be donated by voting at PinkTogether.com from now until April 14, 2012.

General Mills´ donations will be divided between two important Komen programs: the Treatment Assistance Program, which assists women in securing care they otherwise may not be able to afford, and Prevention Research, which helps unlock the keys to preventing breast cancer. Voting results will be announced on Mother´s Day 2012.

Sam´s Club website http://bit.ly/samsclubweb
Sam´s Club on Facebook http://on.fb.me/SCFBook
Sam´s Club on Twitter http://bit.ly/SCTwitter
Pink Together on Facebook http://bit.ly/samsclubpink

Giveaway Rules
US entries only. Runs from Sep. 29 to Noon, MDT, Oct 4 2011.

To Enter: Leave a comment on this blog article. If you can't think of anything to say, mention in what ways you give back in the fight against breast cancer, or which of your favorite General Mills products you're most excited to see featured in the Pink Promotion at Sam´s Club.

If I don't already have your address, please leave your email, Twitter, or Facebook address so I can contact you. The winner will be announced on Oct 5.

(Thanks for entering! Disclosure: The information and gift card(s) have been provided by Sam´s Club and General Mills through MyBlogSpark. However, my opinions of the event, of the companies involved, or the quality of the products mentioned are my own. If for some reason there is no winner, or I can not get in contact with the winner, I will redraw or give the prize to charity, at MyBlogSpark's and my discretion.)

Gold Medal White Whole Wheat Flour Giveaway ... by C.L. Beck

Tags: (Gold Medal, MyBlogSpark, giveaway)

Wahoo, another giveaway! I love giving readers the chance to win something fun, tasty, and cool. This time, the giveaway prize pack contains a coupon for a sample of Gold Medal White Whole Wheat flour, a cool-looking cookie jar, and recipe cards. You can't beat that ... the flour to make cookies and a cookie jar to put them in!

I must admit that I used to believe it didn't matter what brand of flour I bought. Generic was fine ... or so I thought. Then I learned differently. The variety of wheat, as well as the quality of the flour, makes a huge difference in my finished product - whether it's brownies or banana bread, cookies or cake. And I've always felt Gold Medal was top quality!

What Betty Crocker/Gold Medal Says
Unlike most whole wheat flours that are made from hard red spring wheat, Gold Medal White Whole Wheat flour is made with hard white spring wheat. So, it’s whole grain, but with a similar taste and texture to all-purpose white flour. Perfect for family favorite recipes like breads, pizza dough, cookies, muffins and brownies, Gold Medal White Whole Wheat flour bakes up golden and has a milder flavor than baked goods made with regular whole wheat flour. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, find classic recipes that use Gold Medal White Whole Wheat flour at www.bettycrocker.com and make adding whole grain to your daily routine even easier, without sacrificing on flavor.

Giveaway Rules
US entries only. Runs from Sep. 29 to midnight MDT, Friday, Oct. 14 2011

One entry: Leave a comment on this blog article. If you can't think of anything to say, try sharing what type recipe you'd use the Gold Medal White Whole Wheat flour in if you win.

Two entries: Tweet this contest, and leave a comment on this article giving your Twitter address so I can verify it's been done.

If I don't already have your address, please leave your email, Twitter, or Facebook address so I can contact you. The winner will be announced on Monday, Oct 17.

(Thanks for entering! Disclosure: The Gold Medal White Whole Wheat flour product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Gold Medal through MyBlogSpark. However, my opinions of the event, of the companies involved, or the quality of the products mentioned are my own. If for some reason there is no winner, or I can not get in contact with the winner, I will redraw or give the prize to charity, at MyBlogSpark's and my discretion.)

Who Needs a Cat Bed? ... by C.L. Beck

Who Needs a Cushy Cat Bed When You Have a Flowerpot?

Tags: cat, humor

Have a happy, Wordless Wednesday!

What a Dog Does When He's Cold

Stories and Humor to Make You Laugh, Posted by C.L. (Cindy) Beck
Tags: dogs, pets

Here's a fun video for all the dog lovers out there. Now if only I could figure out how to teach the Corky Porky Pie this trick!

Waterfall in Alaska ... by C.L.Beck

Stories and Humor to Make You Laugh by C.L. (Cindy) Beck
Tags: Alaska, waterfall

Photo © Cindy Beck

Have a happy, Wordless Wednesday!
(Even though today is actually Thursday... again!)

Fun Betty Crocker Recipes ... by C.L. Beck

Ooo, Yummy, Give them a Try! ... posted by C.L. (Cindy) Beck

Tags: recipes, Betty Crocker

Not long ago I wrote an article about snacks to eat while watching Dancing with the Stars. Well, okay, not technically written by me, but by my alter-ego, Cindy Lynn. Anyway, it seems it was such a great idea that it made its way to the Betty Crocker kitchens.

Oh, all right. Probably not. But they must have been on the same wavelength because recently I received an email from MyBlogSpark about fun Betty Crocker food ideas that match favorite TV genres. And I thought some of you might enjoy the links for a few of the recipes, so here they are!

Betty Crocker's Fun and Delicious Food Ideas

Betty Crocker´s food experts have created fun and delicious food ideas that bring your favorite TV genres to life! And now they´re teaming up with reality TV star and "bachelorette" Trista Sutter to share more great ideas that are perfect for TV viewing parties with friends and family!

School Days

Put down your pencils and check out the shows that are sure to be on your honor roll this fall. We love sharing in the triumphs and heartbreaks our favorite students encounter on campus each week - whether they are belting out tunes in show choir, competing on the football gridiron, or just goofing off in study group.

Slushee Cup Cakes
Go to the head of the class with this new twist on the traditional poke cake. Two cupcakes are "poked" and splashed with fruity slushee syrup, then topped with colorful cherry or blue raspberry frosting and glittery sugar. You´ll give them an A! Get the recipe at bettycrocker.com/fanfare.

Center Stage Shows

Talent competitions are in the spotlight, as rising stars sing and dance their way to fame and fortune. But while contestants may come and go, it´s the judges - both spicy and sweet - whose personalities really keep us tuning in each week.

You Be the Judge Popcorn Mix
These pop corn mixes are customizable with a variety of flavors that bring personality to the table. Which one is your favorite - Sugary Sweet, Angry Jerk, Worldly Spice or Flaky Nut? You Be The Judge! Get the recipe at bettycrocker.com/fanfare.

It's All Relative

While the modern American family is being reinvented every day, we still relate to the all-too-familiar characters on our favorite family shows. Whether it´s the overachiever mom, the dad who´s trying to be cool, or the precocious but loveable kid, these characters are both smart and funny, especially when they come together over what really matters most.

Cheesy Po-Tot-Chos
You won´t have to ask twice to get everyone in front of this pile of potatoey tots, topped with cheese, salsa and fresh veggies like tomatoes and avocado. This twist on classic nachos is so good - it may be a fight to snatch the last tot! Get the recipe at bettycrocker.com/fanfare.

Geek Chic

The geeks are suddenly chic! The socially awkward, but super-smart set is all over the small screen this fall, speaking a language all their own. What they lack in social skills, they make up for in humor. We wouldn´t hold it against you if calculate a countdown until next week´s episode.

Solving for Pi Cheesecake
It´s a simple equation: mango + raspberry + cheesecake + pie = delicious! Take a cue from the molecular gastronomy trend and scoop up this deconstructed dessert that literally "pops" with flavor! Get the recipe at bettycrocker.com/fanfare.

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A whole plethora of recipes are at the Betty Crocker site, and I've only picked a few to post here. Head out to bettycrocker.com/fanfare and take a peek. You're sure to find recipes you'd love to try. Or if you're a guy, to have your spouse fix so you can try!

If you get a minute, drop off a comment and tell me which recipes sounds best to you.

(Note: Details received from Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.)

Outside of Sitka, Alaska ... by C.L. Beck

Have a happy, Wordless Wednesday!
(Even though today is actually Thursday.)

A Blonde Paints the Porch ...

Stories and Humor to Make You Laugh, Posted by C.L. (Cindy) Beck
Tags: blonde jokes, humor

The author is unknown on this blonde joke, but it came to me from my friend, Cathy Witbeck, and it had me laughing.

A Blonde Paints the Porch

Photo © lhumble

A young blonde girl in her late teens, wanting to earn some extra money for the summer, decided to hire herself out as a "handy woman" and started canvassing a nearby, well-to-do neighborhood.

She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any odd jobs for her to do. "Well, I guess I could use somebody to paint the porch" he said. "How much will you charge me?"

Delighted, the girl quickly responded, "How about $50?" The man agreed and told her that the paint, brushes, and everything she needed were in the garage.

The man's wife, hearing the conversation, said to her husband, "Does she realize that our porch goes ALL the way around the house?"

"That's a bit cynical, isn't it?" he responded.

The wife replied, "You're right. I guess I'm starting to believe all those dumb blonde jokes."

A few hours later the blonde came to the door to collect her money. "You're finished already?" the startled husband asked.

"Yes," the blonde replied, "and I even had paint left over, so I gave it two coats." Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the $50 and handed it to her along with a $10 tip.

"Thank you," the blonde said, "and by the way, it's not a Porch, it's a Lexus."

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(All right, enough of that. I hear those groans out there! :0)