Musical Monday #1 - Gwenyth Paltrow!

Thank you to Amanda at Bloggin' with Amanda for hosting this awesome meme!

Don't know if you all know this, but I am a total Gleek!  I love Glee!  When Gwenyth Paltrow was on, she really impressed me.  And the song is just awesome!

Mellow Yellow Monday - #2

This is my second time trying out the Mellow Yellow Monday meme. My first time was in August of '09!  All you have to do is post a picture you have rights to with a lot or a little yellow.

There is something I haven't really shared with anyone in bloggy land.  I have a pretty impressive Lucy & Me collection.  I don't remember when I started collecting them, but I got really into them in high school when I discovered one of my friend's moms was really into them also!  Below is 1 of a set of 3 (but I only have 2 because 1 broke).

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad Giveaway

Even though I have been a big blog slacker, I couldn't wait to read the Chicken Soup: Thanks Dad. My dad and I have gone through some ups and downs, but I am lucky to have him and let's face it, everyone loves the guy!!

This book gives fathers the pat on the back they deserve. Children of all ages share their heartfelt words of thanks and loving memories in this collection of 101 new stories. Personal accounts of learning from Dad's example and lasting lessons, special moments and memorable outings, encouragement and expectations will bring any father joy, inspiration, and laughs. Whether the reader is a new dad, a father to one or more, a father of teens, a father of grown children, or a grandfather, these heartwarming and humorous stories will resonate with him. He may even find that his kids did pay attention after all! Expect plenty of celebrity contributors!!

The book is divided into 10 sections, including Lessons for Life, Through Thick and Thin, Everyday Heroes, Truly Grand Dads and more.  The Silver Flute is a cute story that caught my eye because I was in band in high school and was very supported by both of my parents.  Johnny caught my eye next and ended up making me chuckle.  Do we all have a "bad" friend named Johnny in our lives?  Good thing the auther's dad was there for her!  The Shrubbery Massacre is a very touching story, with a valuable lesson!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad - 101 Stories of Gratitude, Love, and Good Times  to 3 winners.

For your first (and mandatory) entry into this contest, comment with another Chicken Soup book you are interested in. Please make sure to leave your email address in your comments.

To earn extra entries you can (please leave a comment for each additional entry):

1) Become a follower of my blog or let me know if you already follow (you must follow publicly, I have to be able to see you) (2 entries)

2) Become an email subscriber of my blog or let me know if you already subscribe (2 entries)

3) Blog about this contest (and comment with the url)

4) Mention this giveaway on facebook with a link to this post (comment with your facebook name) 

5) Add my button to your sidebar (and comment with the url) (2 entries)

6) Follow my Becca's Contest List blog (2 entries)

7) Follow me on twitter and tweet about the contest using "RT @sbshortie Win Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad! http://beccasbackyard.blogspot.com/2011/01/chicken-soup-for-soul-thanks-dad.html" (comment with your twitter name and the url of your tweet)

8) Become my friend on Facebook (click here and comment with your facebook name)

9) Join the online dominoes league that I host (for free) on Eliters.  Play in at least one tournament.  Comment with your username.  (10 entries)

This contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address that is 18+. Contest ends Sunday, Jan 9th at 11:59 pm pacific time. Winner will be picked and notified by email shortly after.

I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

New Year's Resolutions

I publicly made 5 resolutions last year.  They were to blog every day, to eat healthier, to lose weight, to read more, and to socialize more.  As you all know, I failed at blogging every day.  I did start eating slightly healthier, which resulted in a 5 pound weight loss, but not quite as good as I hoped!  I definitely read more.  I probably did the best at that.  But I did also socialize more.  I have added a few friends into my regular hang-out buddies.

I feel confident that I will continue reading.  I love it, and I can't forget it!  I will of course continue to hang out with my "new" buddies, because why wouldn't I?

Continued from last year, I want to try again to blog every day.  I majorly failed last year, and think I can do better this year!

As far as new resolutions, I think I only have two.

1) I want to wear earrings every day.  I own a TON of earrings, and I need to wear them!

(A few pairs of earrings that I own)

2) I want to not fight with people as much.  I want to try harder to just keep my mouth shut.  Sometimes it is better to keep the peace than to say every rude thing you are thinking.  I will of course speak up when needed though, maybe in a politer way than before :)

Wish me luck everyone!  What are some of your resolutions?

Aloha Friday - New Dog

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog . Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

One day I am going to get back to regular blogging.  I actually miss it.  But for now, I'm going to focus on the new dog we got today :)

We think his name will be Hunter, but we aren't 100% yet.  Do you think Hunter is a good name?  Do you have a better idea?

Santa Barbara Axxess Blogging...Year 2 #1

My town, Santa Barbara, has their own book like the Entertainment Books. It is $30 each year and starts on Oct 1. These books have tons of discounts on golf, retail stores, restaurants, amusement parks and more.

Last year, I was determined to use my card more than the 6 times I had used it the year before.  Unfortunately, I already threw away my old card so I don't know exactly how many times I used it.  I do know I achieved my goal though!

This year, I want to take even more advantage.  I have already bought movie passes, in anticipation of saving money at the movie theater!

And...I already went to my first restaurant and got my first punch.  My mom, dad, and I went to China Pavilion on Chapala.  They are on the fancier side, a bit expensive, but have delicious food.  The Axxess offer is Buy 2 Entrees, Get 1 Free.  We ordered Pine Nut Fish, Beef & Broccoli, and Lemon Chicken.  They were all great!  We all shared, but I ate a ton of the Lemon Chicken.  It was like a fancy chicken tender in yummy lemon sauce!  I would have eaten a lot more of the fish if it was in big pieces instead of little cut up ones.  And  beef isn't my thing...but the broccoli and sauce were great!

We saved close to $15 and went home very satisfied.  I would highly recommend China Pavilion!

Apple-A-Day Giveaway

If you want to add to your own apple pie baking knowledge and materials, check out the fun Apple-A-Day Giveaway sponsored by Pillsbury and Taste of Home at http://www.tasteofhome.com/Apple-a-Day-Giveaway from September 15 to October 15, you can enter for a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000, as well as pass along the fun to other friends. Each time you enter, you also have a chance at winning daily prizes. If you want to share this giveaway on your blog, simply provide the link.

Pillsbury provided me with the information through MyBlogSpark.