CVS Flag Review and Giveaway!

I was contacted by a representative of CVS Flags and asked if I would be willing to do a review and a giveaway on my blog. 

CVS is a wholesale flag distributor that has been around for over 30 years. In addition to great customer service, all of the flags are made right here in the USA.

 

 I received by Air Force Flag in the mail, and immediately opened it up.  One thing with flags, I always have to make sure that they are made right, I look at the stitching and the fabric and want to be certain that it won't fall apart on me.  I was happy to note that the flags from CVS Flags are of great quality, bright and colorful.

I handed it to my hubby and you should have seen the smile on his face, this is his first Air Force Flag and he's been in for 19 years so you can imagine his surprise and joy.  With retirement just around the corner, this will make a wonderful keepsake.

I went to the CVS Flags site and looked around, needless to say I was there for quite a while because they have a huge selection of flags, besides the US and military flags they also have state flags, world flags, sports flags, and even city flags.......and one of the great things, the prices are really affordable.

But judge for yourself because the wonderful folks at CVS Flags have offered to send one of my readers their very own 3x5 Military Flags or a traditional US Flag, whichever you prefer. 

They would make a great Christmas gift for a military member.  They DO ship to APO addresses to again, this would be a wonderful gift for the troops.

Here's what I need you to do:

- Leave me a comment, PLEASE make sure you include an email address so I can contact you if you win.

- Let me know which flag you would like, either a military (what branch) or the US flag, and who it's for.

The contest will be open to all US residents until Sunday, 24th of October at 12am Pacific.  I will then use Random.org to pick a winner.  You will have 2 days after I notify you to claim your prize or I will have to pick a different winner.  Good Luck and feel free to let your friends know about the giveaway.

I received a flag from CVS Flags for the purpose of a review and giveaway.  All opinions are mine alone.

Winner of Dewey's Nine Lives

Thank you all for entering the contest.  I used Random.org to get the winner and it came up with comment #10...Mel.

Congratulations Mel, I will be contacting you shortly to get your address.

Cooking Thursday - October 14

Won't you join me and share with us one of your new recipes, or an old family favorite, you can even throw in a recipe for homemade soaps or detergents (just remember to specify).

For the guidelines, you can go here.

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Soft Pretzels

Printer-Friendly Version

Ingredients:
For the dough:
1½ cups warm water (110-115° F)
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. kosher salt
2¼ tsp. instant yeast
22 oz. all-purpose flour (about 4½ cups)
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for greasing the bowl

For finishing:
Cooking spray
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tbsp. water
Pretzel (or kosher) salt


Directions:
To make the dough, combine the water, sugar, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Mix on low speed to dissolve the yeast.  Add in the flour and melted butter and mix just until the dough comes together.  Switch to the dough hook and knead on medium speed until the dough is smooth and clears the sides of the bowl, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the dough to a bowl lightly greased with vegetable oil, turning once to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place, about 50-55 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Preheat the oven to 450° F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.  Bring the water and baking soda to a boil in a large saucepan or stockpot.

In the meantime, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.  Working with one piece at a time, roll a segment out into a 24-inch long rope.

Make a U-shape with the rope and holding the ends of the rope…cross them over each other and onto the bottom of the U-shape in order to form the shape of a pretzel.

 Place onto the parchment lined baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 or 2 at a time, for 30 seconds.  Remove from the water with a slotted skimmer and return to the baking sheet.  Once all the pretzels have been boiled, brush the tops with the egg wash and sprinkle lightly with salt.  Bake in the preheated oven until dark golden brown, about 12-14 minutes.  Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

It's that time of year!

Even though we really don't get the full effect of Fall around here, no changing of the leaves, no beautiful reds and oranges showering the trees or really cool temperatures, there still seems to be a certain something in the air.

Maybe it's because I'm a firm believer in making the best of every situation, so even though the weather may not be cooperating, it doesn't mean that I can't pretend that it is and so, I treat this time of the year, as if I were in Idaho or somewhere where there are actually four seasons.

It's kind of what I've been doing around here, bringing out the fall decorations, preparing for Halloween, lighting the pumpkin scented candles and sprinkling some pumpkin spice or cinnamon into my morning coffee.

All over the house you'll find jars filled with Candy Corn, not only do I love the taste of these goodies but I think they're so cute.

The outside decorations have also started sprouting up here and there.....

There's also lots of crocheting going on, and baking and cooking and just plain old living.

There may be times when it seems that I'm not blogging as much as usual and I know a few of you get a little worried and email me, I truly appreciate your concern, but rest assured that I'm fine, I'm here, I'm just busy with mommy and wifely duties. 

I do tend to blog more around this time of the year so I'm looking forward to getting back into some routine, besides I have a bunch of reviews and contests coming up, some of which will make some great Christmas presents, so stay tuned for that.

I'm off to read a little more, I'll back in the morning and I'll even bring Cinnamon Rolls, will you meet me back here for another visit?

Happy Homemaker Monday - October 11

The weather in my neck of the woods:
70 degrees outside and not a single cloud in the sky.  It's been wonderful having these cooler temperatures all week.


Things that make me happy:
Taking walks with my family


Book I'm reading:
Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harries
Don't Kiss Him Goodbye by Sandra Byrd (Review)
America's Prophet by Bruce Feiler (Review)


What's on my TV today:
Episode 3 of Downton Abbey
Episodes 5 of the new Merlin Season 3
Catching up on my DVR.....The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, The Haunted



On the menu for dinner:
Pizza Margerita

On my To Do List:
Finish off the Laundry
Bathrooms


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
Pumpkin Pie Tart Slices

In the craft basket:

Halloween Stitchery...got some cute ones I'm working on.
Granny Stripe Crochet Blanket, I've been making some progress on that one, will have to take a picture to show you all

Looking forward to this week:
Cooler temps


Tips and Tricks:
Mix the yolk of an egg with a little warm water..rub on the stain with a sponge. For stains that have been set in, add a few drops of alcohol to the egg and water. Nice, simple and safe way to remove stains. Doesn't cost a bundle, either!



My favorite blog post this week:
Stunning Sunset by Mousy Brown's House


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Not Dabbling in Normal.....I enjoy this blog so much, tasty recipes, beautiful photos, wonderful insight :)


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:
Every day is a learning lesson for me as a Christian woman, but the recurring theme and one which usually needs to be thumped over my head repeatedly, is that things are done in HIS time, not in mine and not because I think I am entitled to it at the moment.  We're going through another one of those trials right now, we may be going back to Idaho sooner than we think, it won't exactly be under the circumstances we wished but nonetheless if it happens, it's because He thinks it's the right time and for that, I have to be thankful and understanding and not question Him.


On my mind:
Halloween


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

— Psalm 62:8 (NIV)