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Review: Ceiva digital frame


I was first introduced to Ceiva digital frames last spring at the Mom’s Night Out party that Jenny and Tricia hosted, and they have been in the back of my mind since then.


Ceiva frames look like any regular digital frame, but there is one difference – you can email the pictures right to the frame from your computer or phone!

I don’t know about you, but I am terrible about getting picture prints made, and both my grandma’s are always asking me for pictures of my kids. I’ve often thought that a digital frame would be nice for them, but the odds of me actually uploading new ones to their frames in a timely manner is slim to none! So, the Ceiva frame fixes both of those problems.

Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to try out my very own Ceiva frame, and I absolutely love it.

Here are some of my favorite features:
— The display is very clear and the pictures are bright.
— I can send the email address to any friends and family I choose, so they can send pictures to the frame as well (*ahem*gotogetherandbuyoneforthegrandparents*ahem*)
— It does not require a computer or an internet connection. This is key, in my opinion. You can connect by ethernet or wi-fi if you’d like to, but you can also hook up through a regular phone line.
— I can upload pictures from Facebook.
— I can send greeting cards to the frame. Which is great, because believe it or not I am terrible at sending cards!

I will admit, though, that the set-up process wasn’t quite as easy as I would have liked. It could be me – the reviews online say set up is a breeze! It’s not that it’s complicated, it just took me a while. I was glad I wasn’t trying to do it on Christmas day. So if you buy one as a gift, set it up ahead of time. I didn’t need to call the customer service line, but they do have one and even have extended holiday hours (even on Christmas day)!

That said, I really think this is the best grandparent gift I have heard of in a very long time. I am planning to get one for both my grandmas and Andy’s grandpa as well. Frames start at $99.95 (which includes a year of service – after that it’s $6.95/month), which is probably more than you’ve got budgeted for the grandparents (although that is pretty reasonable if it can cover Grandma AND Grandpa’s gift) so consider going in on it with family members. It is really the gift that keeps on giving!

Want to learn more? Find Ceiva on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

*****
Ceiva sent me a frame to try out, but the views and opinions are all my own.

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What’s Cookin’ Wednesday Giveaway!

Today’s What’s Cookin’ Wednesday is inspired by the Scanpan Professional Nonstick Saute Pan.

Prior to receiving this pan for review, I didn’t own a covered saute pan. In fact, I wasn’t sure how to saute anything! I had to google it. For those of you who are as well versed in cooking as I am, here’s the basic definition (found on cooking.tips.net): Sauteing food is a way of cooking through the use of dry-heat. This means that you use a very, very hot pan and a small amount of fat (or grease) to cook food really quickly. This usually means that the food will be browned, often with a caramelized outer shell.

So, how is this pan different from a skillet? Basically, it’s the design. A saute pan has a wide, flat bottom, which helps distribute the heat evenly. Also, it’s a little deeper than a skillet, which helps keep the food inside while it’s jumping around getting sauted!

This is a skill I have yet to master, I will admit. I am sad about this, because there are really few things I love in life more than sauted onions (yes I know I am a freak). But after doing some research, I think I have discovered my mistakes – apparently you’re supposed to let the pan heat up before adding the oil, then adding the food. Also, it’s important not to put too much in at a time, which I know is part of my problem.

The saute pan is also great for browning, braising, and deglazing. I have a lot of googling in my future because I don’t know how to do any of that.

But now, on to the important things! Here’s how you can win the ScanPan Professional Nonstick Saute Pan:

Required entry: Leave a comment on this post and tell us your best cooking tip (because clearly I need some).

Extra entries:
— Tweet about this contest & leave a comment with a link to your tweet. Here’s an example: “Win a @scanpang saute pan from @momminitup & @jennyitup!”
— “Like” us on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you did.

This contest will end at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7. Good luck!

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Top Ten Tuesday – Christmas Style

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we’re in full-on Christmas season, and I am excited. So for today’s top 10 Tuesday, I’m thinking of things I’m looking forward to throughout the rest of the month.

In no particular order…

1. Baking. I know it is totally unlike me, but I really like baking! In fact I have to make three pumpkin rolls tonight. I tried making them on Friday but they stuck to the pan and ended up a giant pumpkin-y mess. Yeah. So I am still working on getting good at baking, but I really do enjoy it. I’m even going to be brave and try this recipe from the Pioneer Woman – homemade cinnamon rolls. In our house, cinnamon rolls come out of a can, so this should be interesting. But look at the pictures in that post and tell me you’re not drooling!

2. Advent Calendar. Yesterday I came across this post from OhAmanda and was totally inspired to get crafty. Kate’s been wanting to get an advent calendar, so rather than buying one of the 99 cent ones with the crappy chocolate that we usually get, I’m going to make one this year. And by this year, I mean today, because tomorrow is December first. So I’ll whip one of those up right after I get done with the pumpkin rolls tonight. Right. Anyway, I plan to fill some of the days with silly bands and hot wheels and that sort of stuff, but for the most part I am going to focus on experiences. Some ideas I read online have include picking out a toy to donate, collecting change and taking it to the bell ringer and having a game night. I also noticed that Amy from Mom Advice wrote a post today about making an advent calendar from stuff you have around the house – oh and what do you know, she’s got a list of 24 Christmas activities. I love the internet. It is just full of ideas to steal.

3. Christmas lights. We’ve already started taking the long way home from wherever we go, just so we can check out the Christmas lights. There’s just something about Christmas lights… they exude happiness! We also make trips to a few of our local light displays each year. For those of you in the area, I recommend Light Up Middletown. It is free (although you can give a donation if you like) and you drive through so you don’t have to get out of the car. Take the kids in their jammies! Another one we discovered last year and absolutely loved is Woodland Lights at the Washington Township Rec Center. It is $6 a person to get in, but that includes the rides they’ve got inside and everything. It is well worth it! It’s got the most picturesque spot to visit with Santa you can imagine – a cute little stone house. They let a few people in at a time and it is so much better than the mall. And you can take your own pictures instead of shelling out $15.

4. Wrapping presents. I love to wrap presents. I like to make them look nice… I make my own bows and everything. I generally create a present-wrapping station in my basement that contains everything I need to wrap, access to the television, and wine. Those are all essential ingredients!

5. Our Christmas Eve tradition. Christmas day is always crazy for us… many years we have four stops to make on that single day! But Christmas Eve is a little more laid back. We go to lunch with my grandma and my sister and her family, and then just chill until it’s time to go to church. After church we pick up a pizza and head home to put the kids to bed and put finishing touches on the preparation for the big day.

6. Christmas cookies. Each year, we go to my BFF Jess’s house to decorate Christmas cookies and make a gingerbread house. We get one of those gingerbread kits. The first year we tried to follow the directions and paste the pieces together with icing, but that didn’t work and we had to break out the glue gun. Now we don’t even bother with the icing and head straight for the glue! It’s always such a fun afternoon, and this year we’ll introduce this tradition to her baby girl!

7. Christmas cards. It’s the one time of the year we’re actually excited to get the mail!

8. Christmas music. Sam and I have been listening to the Veggie Tales Christmas CD (which you can download for FREE from amazon) on the way to and from school this week. I love hearing him sing! I’ve also been meaning to break out my Amy Grant Home for Christmas cd. I’ve had that since high school, but it is a classic.

9. Christmas morning. Is there really anything better than kids’ faces on Christmas morning? Our kids are at the perfect ages for Christmas, and I can’t wait to watch them this year. It’s something I want to remember forever.

10. Jonah. Need I say more?

What are you excited about this year? Any favorite traditions or activities? I can’t wait to hear!

For more Top Ten Tuesday, visit OhAmanda!

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