Fall Harvest Time with a Slow Cooker Red Gold Tomatoes Recipe from Me, Plus a Giveaway

I think I forgot how hectic Fall is, and we are still FIVE days away from the official calendar date. Anyone who knows me knows that my crockpot aka slow cooker is one of my favorite meal makers. I own three.

"The company, Red Gold-- is focused on slow cooking this Fall, and encouraging families to have a hot meal waiting after a busy school/work day.  Getting back into the Fall schedule is always busy, and slow cookers make mealtimes easier. What's more, in most families there's usually some delicious leftovers to freeze and reheat on another busy night! Using tomatoes in soups, stews and casseroles may also offer more nutrition: when tomatoes are heated, the antioxidant lycopene (linked to several health benefits) is released. Red Gold also will be hosting a promotion on its Facebook fan page starting today, September 17 during which they will give away two slow cookers a day for three weeks — that's 44 Crock-Pots. Just go to this link to fill out an entry form."

Red Gold recently sent me a variety-pack of tomatoes plus an apron, wooden spoon, and recipes. The kit contained 2 cans of crushed tomatoes, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of diced w/ green chiles, 1 can of diced with lime juice and cilantro and 1 can of diced with garlic and olive oil. The recipes are absolute must tries, Pulled Pork Sliders, Sausage & Sweet Potato Chili and Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese. Yummy! You can find all of Red Gold's slow cook recipes here.

I actually used the can of diced with garlic and olive oil and another I had in the pantry last week in my slow cooker. Have you ever had Macaroni Grill's Pasta Milano? Well, this recipe is like that, only its not. It has the chicken, tomatoes, and bowtie pasta, not the butter, the heavy cream sauce and a few other things. My family says it's a MAKE AGAIN!!

Let me know what you think!

Now, which one of my readers would like to receive their very own Red Gold Tomato Kit? All you have to do is enter on the easy Rafflecopter entry form below. Bonus entries are available!

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Red Gold for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. This Giveaway is open to U.S. only. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remembering and Recognizing

September 11, 2001, the day our nation came under attack. Thirteen years ago today, it seems like only yesterday. The second time in my lifetime that our own soil was attacked. I do not know any other way but to teach my own children who live in this post 9/11 era to not take their freedoms for granted. Especially now, just last night on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary. The President announced the possibility of a third war as he vows to target terror groups. 

I personally knew no one in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, or Flight 93, that was crashed into a field.  But I knew them all. They were my fellow Americans. 

My baby boy, Braden was one day away from being nine months old. I was living with Moma and Daddy in Wilson, OK. My Moma called me that morning and said turn on the TV. I just sat there holding Braden tight, tears streaming, asking God "who, what, why" is this being done. What kind of world is Braden going to grow up in? How can terrorist hate us so much that they are willing to commit suicide in order to kill innocent people? That was the first time I saw gasoline prices soar, the pumps said $1.85-$2.00. It was considered price gouging. Of course today a gallon of gas costs $3.16. Crazy huh?

Today, as I have for the past 13 years, I am saying a prayer for those who have lost loved ones in these attacks, I am praying for our country to continue to rise up and prepare for the prevention of further attacks. I am praying for our nations leaders and future leaders. I pray for our military as they continue to defend and prepare to defend against these new terror groups. I pray that they recognize more than ever the need to place God into their lives and make wise decisions. 

God Bless America!

#DolphinTale2 in Theaters September 12 with a Giveaway! #WinterHasHope

We are SO EXCITED for next weekend! In case you haven't heard Winter the famous dolphin is returning to the big screen!! We have kind of missed our family movie theater time since the summer program ended and have already planned a family date night. Do you have such a tradition in your household? One of these days we plan to visit Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida. Several of our friends have been and I even have a reporter friend with WTSP 10 in Tampa who visits him often. 

About the movie:
Inspired by true events, Dolphin Tale 2 continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and recovery—thanks to a groundbreaking prosthetic tail—made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 family hit movie “Dolphin Tale.” This film reunites the entire main cast, led by Harry Connick Jr., Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and of course, the remarkable dolphin Winter as herself. Champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who has been an example of courage, also appears in the film.


It has been several years since young Sawyer Nelson and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett, rescued Winter. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy, who developed a unique prosthetic tail for the injured dolphin, they were able to save her life. Yet their fight is not over. Winter’s surrogate mother, the very elderly dolphin Panama, has passed away, leaving Winter without the only pool mate she has ever known. However, the loss of Panama may have greater repercussions for Winter, who, according to USDA regulations, cannot be housed alone, as dolphins’ social behavior requires them to be paired with other dolphins. Time is running out to find a companion for her before the team at Clearwater loses their beloved Winter to another aquarium.


Group Resource Website: http://www.homeschoolmovieclub.com/homeschool_day
Official Movie Website: http://www.dolphintale2.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dolphintalemovie
Twitter: @dolphintale
Watch and share the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMDymk_gx3A

In celebration of Winter's return to the big screen and the continued story of this dolphin, one of my blessed readers is going to receive a Dolphin Tale 2 Prize Pack: tshirt & sunglasses! Who wants this prize pack?



Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. This Giveaway is open to U.S. & Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today's Post is at OkWB: Back in the Day, Blockbuster Stores

I cleaned out my wallet.

I found this.

It prompted this "back in my day" post that appears at Oklahoma Women Bloggers today.

Do you relate?