Friday, December 27, 2013

Reef Indy's First Christmas

"Use a picture. It's worth a thousand words." appeared in a 1911 newspaper article quoting newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane who was discussing journalism and publicity.  However, the concept is just as relevant today.

Therefore, here is Reef Indy's First Christmas in  28,000 words . . . . . err . . . . in 28 photos.

Oma’s Christmas Breakfast – Turkey Neck Soup
Oma’s Christmas Breakfast – Turkey Neck Soup

Even Reef Indy And Opa Are Vegetarians – Opa Makes Turkey For The Rest Of Us.
Even Reef Indy And Opa Are Vegetarians
Opa Makes Turkey For The Rest Of Us.

Oma and Opa’s house – full of Christmas Decorations
Oma and Opa’s house – full of Christmas Decorations

Auntie Jennifer Brought Yummy Snowman Cupcakes
Auntie Jennifer Brought Yummy Snowman Cupcakes

Christmas in California Cousins Mckenna and Bailee enjoy the pool.
Christmas in California
Cousins Mckenna and Bailee enjoy the pool

Uncle John spoils Riley and Spike
Uncle John spoils Riley and Spike

Reef Indy loves his BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier
Reef Indy loves his BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier

Reef Indy, Kicking It With Dad
Reef Indy, Kicking It With Dad

Sleepy Reef Indy With Mom
Sleepy Reef Indy With Mom

Reef Indy Taking A Christmas Power Nap
Reef Indy Taking A Christmas Power Nap

Reef Indy Enjoying Family Time
Reef Indy Enjoying Family Time

Christmas Dessert Bar
Christmas Dessert Bar

Yummy Christmas Spread
Yummy Christmas Spread

Time For Christmas Dinner
Time For Christmas Dinner

Nothing Better Than Family & Friends At Christmas
Nothing Better Than Family & Friends At Christmas

Reef Indy Entertains Himself While The Family Eats
Reef Indy Entertains Himself
While The Family Eats

Christmas Gift Opening – Always A Fun Time
Christmas Gift Opening – Always A Fun Time

What Did You Get For Christmas?
What Did You Get For Christmas?

Christmas Family Time
Christmas Family Time

Reef Indy Really Enjoyed His First Christmas
Reef Indy Really Enjoyed His First Christmas

Auntie Sitara And Uncle Moses Check Out The Christmas Tree
Auntie Sitara And Uncle Moses Check Out The Christmas Tree

Uncle Moses Finds Cash In The Christmas Tree Mailbox Ornament
Uncle Moses Finds Cash In The Christmas Mailbox Ornament

Reef Indy (3.5 Months-Old) Had An Exhausting Christmas Day
Reef Indy (3.5 Months-Old) Had An Exhausting Christmas Day

Grandma Wendy And Grandpa Ray
Grandma Wendy And Grandpa Ray

Cousin Kaleb
Cousin Kaleb

Mom And Dad Find Time For A Kiss
Mom And Dad Find Time For A Kiss

Dad Acting Silly As Auntie Heather Looks On
Dad Acting Silly As Auntie Heather Looks On

Reef Indy Receive Plenty Of Christmas Gifts
Reef Indy Receive Plenty Of Christmas Gifts

Hope everyone had a happy and fun Christmas. Reef Indy’s first Christmas was filled with love and enjoyment. Although only three and a half months old, Reef participated glowingly and demonstrated advanced social abilities.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Amira, Age 9 Wows in Holland's Got Talent!

Enjoy this beautiful music from the tiny Dutch Wonder, Amira Willighagen.



Amira Willighagen was the last audition in this year's Holland's Got Talent, held in October.




Armed with new-found confidence, 9-years old, Amira beautifully sang Ave Maria in the Semi-Finals Liveshow of Holland's Got Talent on 21 December 2013. Next week Amira will sing again during the Finals.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Caramel Matcha Green Tea Powder Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. 

Oma received a package of Red Leaf Caramel Matcha Green Tea Powder to review. Oma is a big tea fan and recently learned to love Matcha Tea. 

 Red Leaf Caramel Matcha Green Tea Powder


Matcha refers to finely milled or fine powder green tea. The Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha.

In 2003, researchers from the University of Colorado found that the concentration of the antioxidant EGCG available from drinking matcha is at least three times greater than the amount of EGCG available from other commercially available green teas. Matcha is also said to boost metabolism and help reduce cholesterol levels when it is drunk regularly.

Here is a few details of the Red Leaf Caramel Matcha Green Tea Powder by the creators:
For those with an unrepentant and unwavering sweet tooth, there is no better tea than sweet caramel matcha. This fine tea blends the eastern traditions of matcha with the modern caramel flavor to brew a delectable tea that is sweet to take as a mid-morning snack, before lunch aperitif or after dinner relaxing drink. The toned-down caramel matcha is ideal for those who need a sweet tea without adding any extra sugar.

Oma prepared the Caramel Matcha Green Tea Power using two different protocols:

  1. Oma simply mixed about a half a teaspoon of the Match Powder in a cup and added about three ounces of pre-boiling water; then stirred briskly.
  2. Oma added a half a teaspoon of the Match Powder to approximately three ounces of Almond Milk; then gently heated the mixture while stirring the entire time.

Both ways were rich and yummy! The Caramel flavor offers a unique aroma and palate.

If you go to the Red Leaf Tea website you can order this marvelous tea in several sizes & different quality levels. Red Leaf also carries other types of teas including: Wine Infused, Blooming, Red, Green, Black, White, Pu-Erh, Oolong, Herbal and a large Earl Grey Collection.

Check Out Red Leaf Tea on Twitter and/or Facebook

 

Remember to keep your Caramel Matcha Green Tea Powder in the refrigerator or freezer to help maintain the freshness.



As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable commodities Oma possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising). However, it should be noted that Oma was given a packet of Red Leaf Tea Caramel Matcha Green Tea Powder to use then review. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

How To Explain Your Job
Blogger/Social Media Manager

Just in time for those Christmas gatherings. 



Source

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Cream
Review & Giveaway

Winner:   Melissa C. 

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.


In no sense of the imagination does Oma have any medical training nor experiences; therefore might seem like an unlikely reviewer for Noxicare Natural Pain Relief cream. However, every once in a while the left knee experiences a dull ache after Oma’s hour on the treadmill.

Noxicare™ is a breakthrough natural, patent-pending pain relief formula that is a proprietary combination of 7 of the world's most potent natural pain relievers that quickly and effectively alleviate inflammation, muscle aches and nerve pain—with NO known side effects and without a prescription.

Noxicare™ Natural Pain Relief Cream is registered with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration of the United States Government), NDC 51230-391-01.
Noxicare™ is available in capsules for all-over pain or in a topical cream for localized pain. (from their website)


Noxicare states that it relieves all 3 common types of pain: 



After using the cream twice, it appears to work very well. Further, Oma loves the fact that Noxicare is odorless and non-greasy.

Now you can win a full size tube of
Noxicare™ Natural Pain Relief Cream


Noxicare has been awesome enough to give one lucky “Oma Loves U!” reader their own full size tube of Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Cream. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below and you’ll be entered to win. Entries will be open until December 28, 2013, and you must live in the USA and be 18 or older to enter. Good luck! 



As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable commodities Oma possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising).

However, it should be noted that Oma was given a free tube of Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Cream to use then review.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Big Book of Christmas Fun!

Are you having lots of little ones coming over for Christmas? Keep them entertained this holiday with FREE activity sheets designed just for them (thanks to grandparents.com)! 


Free Christmas Activity Sheets

Click here for a .pdf of printable games,coloring pages, recipes and more!


The little ones at your home will have hours of fun with activities like:

  • 4 coloring pages: Christmas Tree, Gingerbread House, Snowflake, and Snowman
  • 4 activities: word search, maze, find the match, and spot the differences
  • Holiday jokes for kids
  • The ultimate Christmas cookie recipe
  • 3 festive Christmas crafts

Christmas Tree Coloring Sheet - Free

Friday, December 13, 2013

Reef and Belle Visit Santa

Cousin Belle and Reef Find Santa at the Mall!
Cousin Belle and Reef find Santa at the Mall!

The American version of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus originally came from the Dutch version called Sint Nikolaas or Sinterklaas. The Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (New York) brought this fun and lively tradition to America.

Santa Claus appears in the weeks before Christmas in department stores or shopping malls. The practice of this has been credited to James Edgar, as he started doing this in 1890 in his Brockton, Massachusetts department store!

Edgar was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1843. In 1878 he arrived in Brockton, and he eventually set up a dry goods store on Main Street.