Not So Wordless Wednesday Ice Hand and Orbs Projects

Ice Hand in the grass.

So my cousin Ross did this neat experiment with ice that I thought was fun. He made ice globe orbs and made them light up with little flashlights. Here is his cool YouTube video of it...



We however were out of balloons and so we made an ice hand because it was below freezing temperatures here in Oregon. All we did was cut the bottom of the plastic cup and attach the glove to it with a rubber band. Then we filled the glove with water and set it outside in the cold. We didn't know how well it would work, but it set up really well.

This picture gives you an idea of how the Ice Hand was made.

What other interesting things can you do with freezing water into ice?

Schwan's Home Delivery Service Review

This review is sponsored by Schwan's through USFG.

Schwan's Home Delivery Service is a great convenience for saving time when meals at home need to be faster than homemade and healthier than fast food. On their website they have a great selection of whole meals, entrees, desserts, appetizers, sides, and drinks. They have items you can pick from that are especially great for people with special dietary needs including: gluten free, vegetarian, sugar free, heart healthy, low calorie, and low sodium. The food is delivered right to your home by refrigerated truck and it is so very easy to order the food online.

I received a $25 gift certificate to Schwan's to pick something out online. I wanted to pick out something that might feed my whole family of 6 and that my whole family might enjoy. I also wanted something semi-healthy. I selected the Home Style Chicken Bake, Pineapple Orange Juice, and Golden Fruit Blend. I was a little disappointed that they did not offer more organic items. There are only 4 organic items and they are all fruits and vegetables. I ended up going a little over the $25 with my order subtotal being $28.97 and the delivery fee being $1.75. I ordered my items and picked the date and time for it to be delivered.

My Schwan's driver, Harold, and his truck.

On the date and time I selected, the Schwan's driver from my area drove up to my drive in his refrigerated truck and knocked on my door. He introduced himself as Harold and was very friendly and punctual. When he got my order out of his truck he also handed me a current Schwan's catalog so that I could order again at my leisure without needing to look online. When he handed me the items I had ordered he let me know briefly about each one and what he likes to do with them at his home.  He also said I could peruse the back of his truck to see if there was anything more I wanted before he left. I politely declined his offer and told him it was nice of him to ask. He even posed for me with his truck so I could have a picture for my review.

Schwan's Home Style Chicken Bake, Pineapple Orange Juice, and Golden Fruit Blend in packages.

The Home Style Chicken Bake said it served 5 and although it wouldn't feed my complete family I figured that I could supplement with something else to go with it or make it on a day my whole family were not all home for dinner. I guess I could have picked the Six Cheese Tortellini which serves 9, but I was in the mood for a pot pie of sorts. The Home Style Chicken Bake was delicious and so easy to make! This meal has to be kept frozen until cooked and eaten. It can be cooked in a conventional oven or micro-baked (a combination of microwave and oven). It has no preservatives and has a gravy that is made from scratch with fresh frozen vegetables. When I opened up the one I received part of the flaky pastry crust that topped the gravy, chicken, and veggies was broken a little bit which probably happened in transit. I didn't really care about the presentation as much as the taste though. After I cooked it in the oven I tasted it and it was delicious! The combination of the white chicken meat, russet potatoes, sweet peas & carrots in chicken gravy topped with the pastry crust was so good. If you like pot pie you will love this even better!

The Pineapple Orange flavored juice beverage comes in a package of six 8 fl oz cartons that each make 1/2 gallon of juice when the concentrate is mixed with water. Although this is thirst quenching it is not the healthiest juice. It does have high fructose corn syrup and sugar as the very first ingredients with preservatives and dyes. The flavor of the drink is too sweet for my taste, but my kids loved it. I am not sure how they made the pineapple flavor since pineapple juice or concentrate isn't listed as one of the ingredients...just natural and artificial flavors (whatever that means). I did like the combination of pineapple flavor (however they made it) with the orange and apple juice concentrates, but once I put some ice in it and a bit more water I liked it a whole lot more. It contains only 15% real fruit juice, but every 8 fl oz serving provides 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C. Next time I think I will buy their 100% Orange Juice fortified with Calcium that has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It is a much healthier choice, although also more expensive, go figure!

The Golden Fruit Blend is all natural 100% Grade-A cut chunks of pineapple and mango with thick-sliced peaches and strawberries. It is delicious and my favorite fruit blend, but I wish that it was organic. It has 6 - 3/4 cup servings in a 2 lb. resealable bag, Serves 6. This great as a snack, with yogurt, or put in a smoothie! My kids ate this up because they love frozen fruit...they hardly left any for me (see the small cup of it below). At least it is good for them and better for them than other snacks.

Schwan's Home Style Chicken Bake, Pineapple Orange Juice, and Golden Fruit Blend prepared.

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When you sign up to Schwan's Rewards you can also earn points worth 5%  back from every purchase to be used on a future order!

My Readers Save $ On Your First Order at Schwan's Home Service!
$5 off $25 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN2
$10 off $50 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN2
$15 off $75 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN15
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=11745&dealid=1748

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this complimentary $25 for Schwan's as part of my participation in The US Family Guide Blogging program. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. No other compensation was received. 

Disney Frozen Hairstyles Inspired by Anna and Elsa Book Review

We received this product free to facilitate this review. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The Disney Frozen Hairstyles Inspired by Anna and Elsa book is great for anyone who loves the movie Frozen and wants to take the experience one step further. This book has 28 fabulous hairstyles to create.

Disney Frozen Hairstyles is split into four sections: Braidschool, Twists & Braids, Updos & Buns, and Waves & Ponytails. The Braidschool section goes through the basic braids that one needs to be familiar with first before moving onto the more advanced hairstyles. There are a variety of hairstyles in this book that are wonderful for active girls as well as for special occasions such as parties, proms, and weddings.

Excerpted with permission of the publisher, Edda USA, from Disney Frozen Hairstyles: Inspired by Anna and Elsa. Copyright (c) 2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Rights reserved. This book is available at all bookstores and online booksellers.

It has full color photos and step-by-step instructions to help you along the way. I love the gorgeous photographs of the young girls with the beautiful hairstyles. These real life photos show you exactly what it should look like on a real girl. Every hairstyle is accompanied with a full color photo for every step and one for the end result. This makes the book very easy to follow along.

Excerpted with permission of the publisher, Edda USA, from Disney Frozen Hairstyles: Inspired by Anna and Elsa. Copyright (c) 2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Rights reserved. This book is available at all bookstores and online booksellers.

My girls, Zari and Teela were excited when they saw the book. They love it when I take the time to make them look fancy. My mother had made them each a Frozen cape to go with their new hairdo as well. I did Zari's hair with the "Anna's Braids" instructions and for Teela's I did a more advanced "Elsa's Icy Braid". I am not the best braider in the world, because I don't have much practice really, but I think the DIY instructions and photos helped me tremendously. The hairstyles made Zari and Teela both look enchanting and very princess-like. They had a blast getting all pretty and dressed up for my photos. It will be a lot of fun to try the other hairstyles and experiment to also make our own with this inspired book.

Teela with "Elsa's Icy Braid".

The Disney Frozen Hairstyles Inspired by Anna and Elsa book would be a great holiday gift for anyone that loves the Frozen movie. Fans of the royal sisters will delight in this book while learning to create these fantastic Frozen looks.

Zari with "Anna's Braids".

BUY IT


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received products for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Schwan's Home Service Savings Offer

US Family Guide provided me with this promotional offer information to share with my readers. I am getting a $25 Gift Card for posting this information.

For over 60 years, Schwan's Home Service has provided superior frozen foods with convenient home delivery. Our foods are flash frozen at the peak of freshness and flavor. Choose from USDA Choice meats, wild-caught seafood, flavorful skillet meals, Grade A fruits and vegetables, plus our heritage ice cream, distinctive desserts and much more.

We offer delicious foods to satisfy everyone, including family members with special dietary needs including:

- No gluten ingredients
- Vegetarian
- No sugar added
- Heart healthy
- Low calorie
- Low sodium choices

Schwan's offers weekly specials, coupons, online hot deals and new customer special offers. Join the Schwan's Rewards program and earn 5% back on every online purchase, to be used on a future order.

100% Guarantee! Love It or Return It! If you're unsatisfied one of our products - for any reason - we will gladly replace it or provide a refund.

My Readers Save $ On Your First Order at Schwan's Home Service!
$5 off $25 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN2
$10 off $50 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN2
$15 off $75 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN15
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=11745&dealid=1748

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Schwan's Home Service I am getting a $25 Gift Card for posting this information. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free GC. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

WONKA Peel-a-Pop Frozen Dessert Pops Review #GotItFree #wonkapop

My girls with the WONKA™ PEEL-A-POP™ promotional items we received with the coupons.

We received these products free from BzzAgent to facilitate this review.

We received these items in our BzzKit:

• A coupon for a FREE (up to $4.49) 8-count box of WONKA^™ PEEL-A-POP^™ frozen dessert pops, redeemable at the local Kroger Co. store
• A Wonka-fied whistle to let kids know when they can come running for a peelable pop
• A WONKA^™ branded beach ball and pair of sunglasses for outdoor summer fun
• $1-off coupons to share with other parents who also shop at The Kroger Co. Family of Stores
• A postcard explaining what to do with all the wacky items in my BzzKit

WONKA™ PEEL-A-POP™ frozen dessert pops are a great summer snack! At only 70 calories per pop this whimsical treat won't make you feel guilty. We also liked these because at 13g total carbohydrates per pop these are great for my diabetic son as well! Did you know that the WONKA™ brand made more than just candy?

Your kids will go bananas for these frozen dessert pops because they are both tasty and fun to eat. The WONKA™ PEEL-A-POP™ comes in two yummy varieties: vanilla grape and vanilla banana. What is super about these is that they can be peeled like a banana, but you can also eat the peel! To eat all you have to do is bite into it at the top, peel the outer coating like a banana, and enjoy.

WONKA™ PEEL-A-POP™  vanilla grape flavor, peeled.

The combination of the peel and frozen pop are actually pretty good together. The peel is an interesting gummy gelatinous texture and even though it gets a little slimy on the outside as it warms up, it peels easily. My kids didn't have any problem with it being messy. Although the peel was fun and it added uniqueness to this product some of my kids didn't like the weird texture of it. It also has an inside that tastes very similar to frozen vanilla pudding. We tried the grape flavor and it was rather good in my opinion. My kids certainly enjoyed their experience eating them up.

Monkeying around eating  WONKA™ PEEL-A-POP™.

You can find NEW WONKA™ PEEL-A-POP™ frozen dessert pops in the ice cream aisle at The Kroger Co. Family of Stores. We only found the grape variety at our local Fred Meyer, so we didn't get to try the banana flavor. Others have found both varieties though easily.

Each 8-count box retails for a suggested price of $4.49.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am a member of BzzAgent I received word of a BzzCampaign for the WONKA™ PEEL-A-POP™ products. I received these products free to facilitate my review. All information about the products I received from the media kit, the products and the WONKA™ website. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.