April 2nd is World Autism Day

Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day by participating in the Walk on the Web with Wubbzy during April. Join me and thousands of others across the globe to help raise awareness and fund research to help those affected by autism.

To to make a donation & be a part of the Chesapeake Ribbons' Team 'Walk on the Web with Wubbzy', please click here.

It's not too early to spread awareness to your little ones. Visit this link to download a fun coloring book, Wubbzy traveling the world.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is today! Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour.

In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Coliseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

EARTH HOUR is today from 8:30-9:30 p.m.

A must-see this Friday...

Well friends, once again, the cat is out of the bag - or should we say the dog out of the hutch! This Friday night, March 27, ABC's Nightline will be investigating puppy mills!

ABC Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and investigators from Nightline travel the byways and back roads of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - visiting numerous puppy mills and filming Main Line Animal Rescue's volunteers as they rescue breeding dogs and puppies from Lancaster County's notorious Amish commercial breeding facilities.

This promises to be a very special program. If you are involved in rescue, advocate on behalf of the millions of puppy mill dogs interned in our nation's commercial dog breeding facilities, or if you just simply love animals, you will not want to miss this.

Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed, on camera, an Amish breeder while touring his facility - a first for network television. With approximately 500 dogs housed on his property, this commercial breeder speaks openly about an industry cloaked in secrecy and suspicion - the cruel factory farming of man's best friend.

PLEASE tell your friends, your family, your coworkers - ABC Nightline investigates puppy mills - this Friday at 11:35 pm (Eastern Standard Time). Please take the time to forward this to all the rescues, shelters, and legislators in your area.

It has been almost one year since Oprah's puppy mill show aired. That program received the highest viewer response of any Oprah Show in years. Now we need to spread the word about this very special Nightline. Only by educating as many people as we can, will we be able to help these animals. And after you watch the program, please don't hesitate to contact ABC and Nightline to thank them for casting such a strong light on the plight of our nation's puppy mill dogs.

Bill Smith
Main Line Animal Rescue

Friday's airing of Nightline's investigation of puppy mills is subject to breaking news. If for any reason it is not shown, it will air the beginning of next week. Please check listings for your time zone.

The party has started...

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party over here at Gunning It! I hope you enjoy my music while taking a look around...maybe even give me a follow?

So a brief summary of me, well I am a stay-at-home mom of two wonderfual kiddos (as you can see over there to the left ;-) & a German Shepherd rescue dog, Lucky). I have been married to my fabulous husband for almost 10 years! We live just outside center city Philadelphia where I run the Chester County Chapter for Moxie Moms (a network of women for friend, fun, and fitness) AND own an online boutique called Chesapeake Ribbons, classic handmade ribbon accessories for the entire family. So there you go...Not a slow day yet!


Did you notice Chesapeake Ribbons is hosting a giveaway for the Ultimate Blog Party!?...3 gift certificates to 3 lucky winners! Not only do we have cute & stylish headbands, bows, and Infant/Toddler barrettes but we also have a large selection of unique novelty ribbon belts we offer?! Having a son first, I found it hard to find cute accessories for boys. I decided to make some myself and voila! Fun and stylish belts perfect for boys and coordinating siblings. Oh, and if you REALLY love my products, we're now selling sets at WeeBgreen, another host & mommy friend in the ultimate party giveaway. She is offering 2 $25 GC to use online...be sure to check out her site.

And now the fun part, haha...just favorites that I would love to win!

I would love a rocking horse for Anna from A Rocking Horse to Love....so the GC would be awesome and just in time for her 1st birthday!

LOVE this adorable halter top from Sweet Tea Shoppe! I am definitely going to have to order some pieces for Anna when she gets a tad bigger.

Ju Ju Beane Boutique gift certificate...lots of cool stuff to choose from - hmmmm...

Now go enjoy the party and have fun!...Click on this link to join in on the party & win your own prizes (ends on the 27th).

Easy Pulled Pork

Here's a great recipe that is super easy and the family will love! Thanks to my friend Teresa J., this is now a family favorite.

You need:
3 lb. Pork Shoulder
2 Jars of Wegmans Memphis BBQ Sauce (or whatever fav sauce you want)
Crock pot

Simply put your pork shoulder in the crock pot...pour the jar of sauce over the meat...put the lid on & cook on low for 6-8 hours! That's it :-) Then when I shred the pork I like to add a 2nd jar of sauce to make it extra thick & tasty.

I serve my pulled pork with rolls, red beans & rice, and a tossed salad. Happy Eating!

Celebrate the arrival of spring with Rita’s & a free cup of regular Italian Ice!

Rita’s Water Ice will hold its annual First Day of Spring Italian Ice giveaway tomorrow in more than 500 stores in 17 states. More than one million guests are anticipated to participate in the 17th anniversary of the free Italian Ice giveaway.

From noon to 10 p.m., hurry over to your Rita's to receive one free, regular-sized, 10 oz. cup of Italian Ice in the available flavor of your choice (mine's 1/2 chocolate 1/2 banana) to commemorate the arrival of spring! Yummy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Here are some photos I scanned from our trip to Ireland in 2000!

Dublin

Aran Islands
Galway

Blarney Castle

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Cliffs of Moher
Murdock House in Kerry

St. Patrick's Day Legend

I thought it would be fun to share the story behind St. Patrick's day....so in a nutshell, it goes something like this: St. Patrick (not actually born in Ireland but believed to be from Scotland or Roman England) drove all the snakes out of Ireland and into the sea. He did this by beating on a drum. It was believed that snakes were a symbol of evil and by driving them away St. Patrick helped to rid Ireland of evil. St. Patty's Day spirit is to celebrate the universal baptization of Ireland.

And if you didn't know the meaning of the shamrock, Saint Patrick used the shamrock and it's 3 leaves to explain the concept of the Trinity - the father, son, and the Holy Spirit. The shamrock is also associated with good luck!

Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids on St. Patty's Day? Here is fun and easy recipe to have the kids make Irish Pototatoes. And if you want to make a yummy recipe yourself, try this Irish Soda Bread. Happy (early) St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday to me...

Today is my 34th birthday...just thought I'd share :-)

Buy at GAP & give back...

I just received this email today so I thought I would share....they have the most adorable clothes in their Spring line right now so I can't wait to head over and order a few things for myself (my bday is on Thursday) & the kids :-)

So here you go....30% off during the 'Give & Get ' Friends & Family event by using this coupon at stores (click here). Every purchase you make from March 12-15, GAP will give 5% of the amount you spend to the favorite non-profit I have chosen, Feeding America.

"Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/."

Happy Shopping!

Congratulations!

I have chosen 3 winners for the Spa Break Gift Basket and they are:

Erin at E.

Carolyn in Carolina

Courtney from Mommie Blogs

Congratulations and enjoy your break!

For those that did not win this time, Fiber One is now offering a $1.35 off downloadable coupon for one box of Fiber One Chewy Bars available at: http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=55392&ci=1&c=GM&p=4AbZ6NPX

The circus is coming to Philly....

The Ringling Bros. & Barnum Bailey Circus is coming to Philly in May! Tickets go on sale starting March 9 at 12:00 AM. To reserve your tickets by phone, call 800.298.4200.

Looking for a discount?

Get tickets for just $12 as a special opening night offer:

Wed. MAY 13 at the 7:00 PM performance
(Excludes Circus Celebrity & VIP seats. Not valid for double discounts, groups, or prior purchases. Surcharges, handling & facility fees may apply.)

NEW Fiber One Chewey Bars

Another giveaway has arrived and this one is fabulous! I received a Spa Break Gift Basket full of much needed goodies! I have never tried Fiber One bars so this was definitely a new product for me. I am hooked! I LOVE the Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Chewy Bars. The mocha & chocolate flavor is scrumptous. The perfect snack and fix for my sweets craving while also providing 35% of the recommended daily fiber intake and a good source of calcium.

"Did you know?

Fiber can help you satisfy your appetite and manage your weight

Research suggests that people who have high fiber intakes tend to have healthier body weights

Fiber can help keep your digestive system on track

9 out of 10 Americans aren’t getting the recommended amount of fiber
Do you want to know if you are getting enough fiber? Check out the Fiber-O-Meter. "

So...what does this fab Spa Break gift basket include for you? A coupon for a free box of Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Chewy Bars, a bath pillow, chocolate scented soap, lotion and bath salts, and a coffee scented candle (ALL smell wonderful!)

And here's the exciting news...I am giving away this spa gift basket to three lucky readers! To enter this giveaway, enter a comment (scroll down & click on 'post comment') and let me know why you need a spa break. The contest will close at 10pm, ET on Sunday 3/8...so hurry and tell your friends and family!

...And if you're not a winner of the gift baskets, Fiber One is now offering a $1.35 off downloadable coupon for one box of Fiber One Chewy Bars available at:
http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=55392&ci=1&c=GM&p=4AbZ6NPX

Happy Eating!

Money Saving Tips

Those that know me know that I am a Dr. Phil fan. I love his wacky quotes like "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water," (a comment made in reference to a frugal water saving tip) as well as his life advice such as "Someone has to step up and be the hero in the relationship."

So the other day I was watching his show on 'Money Saving Tips and Tricks.' He had a guest, "Frugal Mom" on discussing her tips on how to cut your grocery bill in half!? I am not usually one to clip coupons because I can never find them for food that I eat, but hey....I am willing to give this a shot!

So here is one tip from her website I want to share with all you...

From March 6th to April 24th, McDonald's is having an awesome burger sale. Buy a Hamburger for $.49 and a Cheeseburger for $.59 FRIDAYs ONLY!

(I guess they're doing this because of lent and their burger sales go down?)