My first ever “coop warming” gift! We moved our chicks to their permanent coop and my mom gave me a box of Eggies. She swears to this day her friend, a former restaurant owner, loves Eggies. I am now questioning that woman’s sanity.

The basic premise for Eggies is you simply crack your eggs into the little plastic dome, boil then you have lovely hard boiled egg without the need to peel. I liked the basic idea because when I make deviled eggs, I like them to look uniform and pretty. Who wants to eat an ugly deviled egg? (Side note: deviled eggs are always the most popular dish any where I see them…first thing to go. Peeps love deviled eggs, even ugly ones.)

Since we have chickens, thus the coop warming gift, we have lots of eggs. I have no idea if they are large or extra large or what. When I cracked the first egg into the bottom of the Eggie, it overflowed! My little backyard eggs are too large! So, first egg and I have egg on…my counter, my hands, and my Eggies. Next egg, same problem. Two or three didn’t over flow. I see now I could have put 3 of the 4 parts together then cracked the eggs in, but I’m nearly sure that would have been a disaster, too.

Next problem was to seat the parts. There are 4 parts that screw together. Getting them to seat correctly was more difficult than one would think. Every single one was difficult. I’m not totally inept. I actually worked on an assembly line in college. These Eggies kicked my fanny.

Finally, I put the filled Eggies in my pot of water. When it started to boil, it looked like I was trying to make meringue because of all the egg whites in the water. When you boil eggs with Eggies, you have to actually boil them longer since the Eggies are thicker than egg shells. After 11 minutes, I pulled them out and added some cool water, like I usually do. The pot looked like I tried to make an omelet in there.

After letting them cool a bit more, I took the eggs out of their tiny domes. Well, I tried to. I had a ridiculous time unscrewing each one. Some had hot water in the container with the egg! When I finally got them out, I noticed the outsides were sort of bumpy. Not pretty. They also have a totally flat area where the top of the egg was, which is also where the yolk was.

See how they show the deviled eggs on end? I think that might be the ONLY way to make them. And that would be one deviled egg per singled boiled egg, not two like you would typically make.

The directions in the picture above say, “Crack-Boil-Twist.” They should really say, “Wash, oil (yeah, they aren’t non-stick), screw a piece in, screw a piece in, crack, screw another piece in, screw another piece in, boil, try to untwist, try to untwist, try to untwist, then pop out your ugly as sin boiled eggs.” You can see why I don’t write scripts for As Seen on TV products. Who would buy Eggies with a description like that? Well, it doesn’t matter. You should NOT buy Eggies. Period. I will come to your house and peel your eggs before I’d let you buy these.

PLEASE someone prove me wrong. Do you like Eggies? What am I missing?

I am a total nerd. I know it. I L-O-V-E anything techie. I found this awesome site about internet marketing and I decided to jump in with both feet. That’s just how I roll.

It’s called The Challenge. It works like this: each day, spend 30 minutes watching videos or completing action steps. At the end of the process, which is self-paced, the goal is to make $1. I know, it’s not much, but if I can make even $1 in a couple weeks’ time, sign me up!

I am having a blast! I love this kind of thing! Check out my new blog, Couple Getaways, and tell me what you think. I would love comments about future topic ideas!

The Challenge
Take the Challenge and learn how to make your first $1 online.

This giveaway has closed. Comment #1 is the winner! Way to go, Maggie!

I am THRILLED with my newest purchase and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Would you like to win it so you can be cute like me? Enter my GIVEAWAY below! Contest ends Sunday, August 28th at midnight.

My dear friend just launched her new business with Thirty-One. They have the most adorable purses, organizing bags and accessories. My favorite product in the Thirty-One line (so far) is the skirt purse. It is a chic black or brown purse, large enough to fit my iPad and all of my essentials. That’s great, right? Here’s where the magic comes in…the purse comes with a trendy ‘skirt’ that attaches directly to the outside of the base purse! Every time you want a new look, you simply change the skirt and you have a whole new purse without having to fumble with and reorganize all of the contents in your purse. The skirts store flat so you can store 10 skirts in the amount of space an additional purse would take up in your closet. And you can purchase additional skirts for only $15! Plus, you can add accents like the rosettes or scarves for even more stylish options. You can have a complete wardrobe of purses without breaking the bank or ever having to move your wallet and car keys!

For the fall/winter catalog there are 9 patterns to choose from. New skirt patterns and accessories are released with each new season. Plus, most items in the catalog can be embroidered with a phrase, name or initials for only $7.

Wanna win a free Thirty-One Skirt Purse? It’s super easy!

1) REQUIRED-Just comment on this post with the name of the skirt and base purse color you would select. Mine is Parisian Pop on Black, if you care.

2) Post about this giveaway with a link on Facebook or Twitter (2 entries). On your comment, just write “posted on FB” on two comments.

3) Blog about this post (5 entries).

4) For TEN entries, make a purchase from the above link. (If you’re drawn as the winning entry for the skirt purse, we can just deduct it from your order).

Fine Print: The random winner of this drawing will win one skirt purse, which includes one fitted skirt, including shipping, handling, and tax. (Personalization is not included in this giveaway.) Winner will need to respond to notification email with address and phone number by Monday, Aug. 29 at 3pm. If not, a new winner will be selected.

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Tags: Giveaway, product review, skirt purse, thirty-one

Tom Watson

I am so delighted to be a part of the Glad Waste Less Program! A group of bloggers in King County has the opportunity to try out some new Glad products and work on ways to reduce waste. Part of the program is a visit with Tom Watson, who runs the eco-consumer division of King County, in Washington State.  He writes columns for Seattle Times and also has appearances on KOMO 4 News.

Before I met Tom, I was nervous. I’m a mother of two. I work full time. Life is hectic. Was he going to tell me I needed to eat from bamboo plates when away from home? That I should always drink Starbucks from an aluminum thermos with a crocheted cozy made from organic, up-cycled wool? These ideas come from a relative of mine who does these things and would rather die than drink Starbucks. I don’t ever think he’ll read my blog, but just in case…Hi There, Uncle Cousin Guy!

Meeting Tom was a relief. He talked about Green Guilt and some of the marital problems that arise when couples have different eco-ideals. I love this guy!!! His basic message is that we can all reduce our waste, but it needs to fit in our lifestyle.

The Mouthy Family already recycles, but we need to help our children learn what can be recycled and what is just garbage. Tom printed off a handy list from my city about what can and cannot be recycled. While not nearly as extensive as Seattle, it had been updated and I was surprised about what can now be recycled. Tom also suggested we get our girls involved in recycling. Perhaps they can draw a recycle symbol to remind them to recycle when possible. I might even have my oldest daughter make a poster to remind us ALL of what can be recycled!

As for Green Guilt, which I think Tom should trademark, he said you can only do what you can do. If each of us picked up a few new habits each year, waste would be reduced dramatically. For example, in our neighborhood, all of us dump our grass in the open field across the street and take our limbs to the end of the road. Because of this, we don’t have a yard waste container. Lots of our family waste could be put in yard waste. However, Tom noted we have chickens and worm bins, which can take care of a fair amount of our waste. You do what you can do.

Tom and I also discussed composting. Every time I’ve looked into composting, I have two concerns. The bins are expensive and composting itself seems very complicated…a certain percentage of brown to green, high heat to kill everything bad, turning it all the time…too much work! Tom pointed out that he only turns his compost 3 or 4 times per year! That doesn’t sound too hard. He also suggested using pallets tied together (well, a bit more difficult, but pretty darn easy and cheap) to create a compost bin. He even pointed out a nice out-of-the-way corner to put it! I’m really excited to try this out. I even know a place to pick up free pallets!

I’m excited to see how my family and I can work on reducing our waste. A huge thank you to Tom Watson and the Glad Waste Less program. Be on the lookout for future posts about our progress and about the cool Glad products we’re using.

God’s Shelter For Your Storm by Sheila Walsh is a vivid reminder of all the promises God makes and keeps throughout the Bible. While there are over three thousand promises in the Bible, Sheila focuses on only ten. She delves into each one with scripture and examples from everyday life. Some examples include His promise of Peace, Provision, Grace and Hope.

This book is a derivative from Sheila’s The Shelter of God’s Promises. It is a lovely gift book to be given to someone during their storm. The pictures and pages are stunning and the entire book exudes comfort. Each chapter is bite-sized, the perfect length for someone who feels crushed by the day to day or someone in grief who often cannot focus for long.

My one hesitation about this book is I felt like it skipped around a bit. I would chalk it up to the derivative factor. Some things had to be cut and I felt it. In spite of that, I feel this is a book I would give to a friend during a time of need when words just don’t seem adequate. You might want to have several copies on hand for unexpected events in the lives of those around you.

Thank you so much to Overture Media for providing me a copy of this wonderful book.

To view a video of Sheila, please follow this link:

http://www.sheilawalsh.com/shelter/

Readers, do you have a story of God’s promises you’d like to share?

Tags: book review, God's promises, hope in god

***contest closed-comment 23-Kristen-You won!!***

Berry Almond Chicken Salad

The first thing I noticed were huge chunks of chicken…I actually had to cut it up! The greens were lovely…11 different types. And no, I did not count them, I got that from the Wendy’s website. But it would be totally like me to do that!

The “berry” part of the salad comes in the form of huge, plump blueberries, quartered strawberries and a zippy raspberry vinaigrette. This is all topped off with roasted sliced almonds and shaved Asiago cheese.

Miss Mouthy and the Berry Almond Chicken Salad

This salad was super tasty and really filling! Just so you know, because I’m a full-disclosure kind of gal, I did order some of the fries with sea-salt. Delish, but I was just too full to eat them. To earn an extra entry, simply write the flavor of your favorite Frosty. It’ll be proof you actually read my post!

Part of the taste-factor may have been due to the setting. My family and I were picnicking in lovely Wapato Park in Tacoma with some of my new bloggy friends!

So, wanna win a $25 Wendy’s gift card? For your first entry, just write a comment about anything…your favorite local park, best menu item at Wendy’s, or even ridiculous things you did in high school to impress a date (okay, this is the comment I most want to read).

You can earn extra entries by tweeting about this post or writing about it on Facebook. Just write “head over to MissMouthy.com to win a $25 Wendy’s gift card!”

One lucky Miss Mouthy reader will be selected. Enter quick because this contest closes June 7th!

*I have been compensated for my time by Wendy’s and TheMotherhood, but all of the opinions are my own.*

Angela of The Coupon Project

Sia from Centsible In Seattle

Jen from Thrifty Northwest Mom and the Mouthy Family

Tags: gift card, Giveaway, product review, salad, Wendy's, win a wendy's gift card

Need a Good Dentist? Dr. Jon is Your Man! 4 Reasons I Love My Dentist

You know what I love even more than a root canal? Shopping for a dentist. A few years ago, my regular dentist was out of town for 2 weeks. I needed a crown and I couldn’t wait. I called nearly every dentist in Enumclaw, asking for the price of a crown. Those who couldn’t give me a straight answer were crossed off my list. It just seems fishy. Those who couldn’t get me in within the next few days were also off my list. I don’t like to book appointments weeks in advance. Once I had the list narrowed down, I made an appointment with the least expensive one. Did I mention I had cruddy dental insurance?

What a happy encounter! That first appointment with Dr. Jon Holmberg was a delight. No, seriously.

1.  My favorite feature is that Dr. Jon actually cleans your teeth. In previous offices, a dental hygienist would clean my teeth, take the x-rays, and the actual dentist would pop in for a total of 1.7 minutes, if I was lucky.
2. I never get the feeling that he’s out to take my money. Let’s face it…for most of us, if the dentist says you need a filling, you get a filling. I have no home test to see if I actually need a filling, I just go with it. With Dr. Jon, he’ll tell you exactly what you need done. He’ll also tell you what we can watch and wait on.
3. When my daughters were ready to see a dentist, Dr. Jon and his staff did an excellent job. For our most recent 6 month check up, when the hygienist asked who’d like to come back first, my girls were literally jumping up and down shouting, “Me! Me!” Can you believe it?
4. His staff is phenomenal. Now I have lovely dental insurance. His staff takes care of everything with ease. If there’s a blip in coverage or anything, it’s taken care of very quickly. Plus, when I’m getting a cleaning, they keep an eye on my girls. What dentist office offers that?

Dr. Jon Holberg’s office is in a charming older house right down the street from the Enumclaw Police Station. Call 360-825-2081 for an appointment. Tell him Miss Mouthy sent you!

Tags: Enumclaw dentist, Jon Holberg, review of dentist

I love a deal. Who doesn’t? I recently purchased the Chemistry Package at Hotel Bellevue. Check out my post to learn more about the hotel. If you want to get screaming deals, like a night in a beautiful hotel, with $100 in dining gift cards, free parking, late checkout AND a rose petal turn down, check out Plum District!

Plum District features a new local deal every day for savvy women and their families that makes their lives easier and more enjoyable.

If you’re new to the district (yeah, that’s what I call it), they’ll give you $5 off your first purchase in the next 7 days, but ONLY if you sign up using my unique referral link below. Pretty awesome, right?

https://www.plumdistrict.com/?ref=uc4bd4fcc057

Plum District has deals on hotels, spa days, and tons of items to purchase. Love it!

Tags: hotel bellevue review, money saving moms, plum district review, savvy moms, website review

I love Tricia Goyer. I just had to get that out there. Pretty much anything she writes, I love. Whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, or a comic strip, I’ll love it. Beside Still Waters is no different. In true Tricia Goyer style, every aspect and detail is well researched and seamlessly woven into the story.  I guarantee you will learn something new about the Amish lifestyle!

The book starts in the heart of Amish country. Nineteen year old Marianna Sommer seems to know just where her life is headed…right down the path laid out for her by her parents and her community. All that changes where her father announces he is moving the family to another Amish community in Montana. Marianna believes her world is shattered. She agrees to head out to Montana to help her mother care for the family for a year, then she plans to move back and follow her plan.

When Marianna arrives in Montana, she is in for a world of surprises! Though this community is Amish in name, it is very different from where she grew up, and where she was planning to return. This leaves Marianna questioning everything. For the first time, she has choices! The new community is less strict…is that good? Is it bad? Marianna Sommers, who knew who she was from day one, now has so many questions with no easy answers.

I loved this enchanting story. The characters are rich and deep. The storyline is masterfully woven with unexpected twists and turns. One of my favorite elements of the story is that while Marianna questions the roots of her faith and their implications now, the Amish faith is never “bashed” or belittled in any way.

Tricia is hosting a book giveaway on her blog: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html. You can win a book or an adorable Amish salt & pepper shakers! So cute!

About Beside Still Waters Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of the first book in the Big Sky Amish series Tricia is giving away 10 copies of Beside Still Waters and a pair of super cute antique Amish salt & pepper shakers. (photo attached)

Details at Tricia’s blog, It’s Real Life.

About Tricia: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon*, The Swiss Courier*, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough*. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted* was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. Visit www.triciagoyer.com for more info.

 *Miss Mouthy read this book!

About Beside Still Waters: Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she’s ever known.

When Marianna’s family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.

As Marianna struggles to find “home”, she also encounters God in intimate ways. Click here to watch the book trailers.

Click here to buy the book.

Check out what other bloggers are saying about Beside Still Waters.

 Just so you know: LitFuse Publicity Group provided me a copy of this book in exchange for a review. The opinion is my own.

Do you ever have one of those, “Why didn’t I think of that?” moments? You see a great idea and it’s not some out-of-this-world thing, it’s a strong, basic concept that will be useful long-term and to a wide audience.

That’s what I found in the PackIt. It’s a freezable lunch bag! So simple, yet so useful! My husband packed his lunch in it last week. He was able to keep his lunch on his desk and by the time he ate it, about 6 hours later, it was still well chilled! That never happens!

Its interior can be wiped clean with a wash cloth. It freezes when it’s folded, so it doesn’t take up much room in the freezer, plus it’s one less item of clutter in the freezer. It has a roomy interior so it can hold a full lunch, yet it’s not so large as to be unwieldy for kids. You can also put in room-temperature foods and the PackIt will chill it. Wowza!

NEWSFLASH-I just found out the PackIt is TSA approved!! I’m leaving on a trip in a couple of weeks and while I’ll be traveling all day, my flights are short and no food is available. Packing a lunch or buying something at the airport are the only options. The PackIt will be a life saver on this journey!

I love the PackIt so much I really want to write a raving, glamorous review. But it isn’t “that kind” of product. It’s in ingenious workhorse that should be in every household…really one per person! I can’t fathom why you’d buy any other kind of lunchbox…unless it is a Wonder Woman aluminum number, but that’s just more for looks.

Grab a PackIt or two…or one in every color!

Tags: baby