Kindle Review

So I have had my kindle for over a week now. How do I feel? More like...how did I ever live without one!?! I feel like such a traitor to my lovely paperbacks, but it is just so hard not to fall in love with this device. I am no longer squirming around trying to find comfort AND balance my book without losing my page! So before I go on and on here is a list of some of the features you can expect from your Kindle Keyboard 3G :) : (The following list is straight from Amazon.com)

Most Advanced E Ink Display
Kindle's high-contrast E Ink display delivers clear, crisp text and images that you can read without eye strain. For extended periods of reading, E Ink displays deliver the best reading experience.

Read in Bright Sunlight
Kindle's E Ink screen reads like real paper, with no glare. Read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.

Lighter Than a Paperback
At only 8.5 ounces and 1/3 of an inch thin, Kindle Keyboard is lighter than a paperback and thinner than a magazine.

Holds 3,500 Books
Carry up to 3,500 books--keep your library with you wherever you go.

Two Month Battery Life
A single charge lasts up to two months with wireless off based upon a half-hour of daily reading time.

Free 3G Wireless
No annual contracts, no monthly fees. Download books anytime, anywhere. Learn more.

Global 3G Coverage
Travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds with wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories. Check wireless coverage.

Built-In Wi-Fi
Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road. Includes free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S.

Quiet Page Turn Buttons
Quiet page turning means you won't disturb your partner when you want to read all night.

Share Meaningful Passages
Share meaningful passages with friends and family with built-in Twitter and Facebook integration.

Simple to Use
Kindle Keyboard is ready to use right out of the box - no setup, no software to install, no computer required.

PDF Reader
Now with new dictionary lookup, notes and highlights, and support for password protected PDFs. Easily carry all of your documents on the go.

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Let's face it, books get expensive. I have a collection of over 600 books (both paperback and hardcover) and I don't even want to think about the collected cost of them all. What I love about owning the Kindle, is the HUGE selection of free e-books! I have started a library of about 102 books on my kindle ... all of them free. Where can you find these you may ask? Well there are several websites, and many are found right on amazon! Not only does Amazon provide a large selection of free content, but they also list many other places to find choice reading material. A places include:

1. www.Amazon.com in their Limited-time Promotional Offers or Kindle Popular Classics directory.

2. archive.org - Internet Archive is a non-profit dedicated to offering permanent access to historical collections that exist in digital format. Provides over 2.5 million free ebooks to read, download, and enjoy.

3. openlibrary.org - Open Library's goal is to provide a page on the web for every book ever published.

4. gutenberg.org - Project Gutenberg, one of the original sources of free ebooks, is dedicated to the creation and distribution of eBooks.

5. manybooks.net - ManyBooks.net provides free ebooks as a service to the Internet community at large.

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I also love how quickly the Kindle works, whether you are using it to search for an download books or reading a book, the load times are minimal and almost non-existent if just reading a novel. Internet speed may seem a tad slow, but I feel it moves just as quickly as the internet on my smartphone so it is just another wonderful perk of this amazing device.

As you can see I am a truly happy gal. I adore my kindle and I am so pleased with how well it functions. If you are considering purchasing one yourself, please do not hesitate! They are wonderful!

Thank you www.Bzzagent.com for another wonderful opportunity! This is Bzzagent Mary signing out until the next campaign :)

If you are interested in purchasing a kindle yourself and would like more information please visit: www.amazon.com and click the kindle department.

If you are interested in becoming a bzzagent such as myself please visit. www.bzzagent.com

Kindle Arrived!!

Wow, I feel like I am celebrating Christmas early! Just the other day I received my free Amazon Kindle for my www.Bzzagent.com BzzCampaign. I LOVE IT! I am a girl that has been reading since the day I could form words all by myself, and even before that I was read a bedtime story every night :). Books have always been a huge part of my life. It is amazing how a flat piece of technology actually makes me feel as if I am holding a real book. The technology they use is amazing. You aren't looking at your run of the mill led screen. Here is an excerpt from the Kindle User's guide to explain more:

"Kindle uses a high-resolution display technology called electronic paper. It works using ink just like books and newspapers, but it displays the ink particles electronically. The page flash you see when you turn the page is part of the ink placement process.
The electronic paper display is reflective, which means unlike most displays, you can read it clearly even in bright sunlight. Also, electronic paper does not need power to hold the ink in place, which extends your Kindle’s battery life."

It literally look like you are looking at a page in a book! Immediately I knew I was going to love my kindle.

As for books, I wanted to get a feel for the device before I started spending loads of money on books. Lucky for me, Amazon has hundreds of free books straight off of their website! I am a romance junkie and I was able to download about 70 or so romance novels free! They are always having special offers from new and more renown authors. If romance isn't your cup of tea, don't be discouraged. There are many different genres with many free reads. I was amazed.

The device is super easy to use and since it uses the electronic paper technology, my battery life seems to go on forever!

This is just the start of my review. As I test out more features I will add to it :). For now, know that I HIGHLY recommend this device to anyone book lover! Thank you Amazon and thank you Bzzagent for once again connecting me with another fabulous campaign!

Would you like to learn more about becoming a Bzzagent such as myself? Visit www.Bzzagent.com for more information.

Getting Ready!

Wow! So we have been pretty busy getting ready for the all of the market day events coming up! We are working on an adorable new line of felt flower head bands:

These will be sold right next to our usual bows, jewelry, and rose clips :D. We are also getting into the holiday spirit by working on the cutest little sand dollar ornaments that will be sold along side our handmade shell sculptures:

We are hoping that our next sale will be at the Port Isabel market day event November 6th! Can't wait :D

20 unusual uses for vinegar by Yahoo!Green

20 unusual uses for vinegar

by Yahoo!Green, on Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:16pm PDT
By Stephanie Rogers, EcoSalon

Chances are you’ve got a big bottle of vinegar in your pantry right now that you only use it as a condiment. Prized for thousands of years, this fermented liquid was discovered by accident when products like wine, beer, and cider spoiled, turning them sour. But did you know that vinegar -- particularly the distilled white and apple cider varieties -- has hundreds of household, beauty, medicinal and even horticultural uses?

Here are 20 unusual, thrifty, and eco-friendly uses for vinegar that you may not have thought of.

1. Condition hair
Silky, shiny, buildup-free hair using a single cheap, natural product? Sign me up! It may sound odd, but using apple cider vinegar as a rinse after shampooing really does work like a dream. It removes residue from the hair shaft and closes the cuticles. Just add half a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water, plus a few drops of essential oil if you like. Pour it on in the shower and then rinse it out. Sure, your hair will smell like salad dressing for a while, but once it’s dry, the smell dissipates.

2. Kill weeds
A few rogue weeds can wreak havoc in an otherwise flawless lawn, vegetable garden, or flowerbed and are especially annoying when popping up in the cracks of a sidewalk or driveway. Forget pricey weed killers full of toxic ingredients -- household vinegar really does kill unwanted plants; stronger vinegar made for horticultural use, which is 25% acetic acid, works even better.

3. Remove underarm stains
Unsightly sweat stains can really ruin an otherwise beautiful blouse. Ironically, if you use aluminum-based antiperspirants, they’re even more likely to appear, thanks to a reaction between aluminum compounds in these products and salts in your sweat. Spray full-strength white vinegar on the stain before washing, and it will disappear.

4. Soften fabrics
Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle, and not only will it prevent lint from clinging to your clothes and keep colors bright, it’ll also remove soap scum from both the clothes you’re washing and the washing machine itself. Vinegar is also recommended in place of dryer sheets -- simply add 3/4 cup to your washer during the final rinse cycle.

5. Remedy sore throats
Many people recommend sipping or gargling with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water to soothe a sore throat. Add a few tablespoons of honey (also a seriously versatile product!) to this mixture in order to make it even more effective and far more palatable.

6. Deter ants
Got trails of tiny ants weaving their way around your home? These annoying insects aren’t big fans of vinegar, so spraying a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water anywhere you have seen them can help encourage them to move out. The vinegar also erases the scent trails that they use to indicate sources of food to their brethren.

7. Soak sore muscles
Apple cider vinegar helps draw out lactic acid, which accumulates in muscles after exercise, causing that sore feeling. Mix a few tablespoons of vinegar into a cup of water, dip a cloth in the mixture, and apply it to sore areas for 20 minutes.

8. Freshen air
Whether it’s smoke, mildew, pet odor, or lingering whiffs of burnt casserole, bad smells can make a home less than welcoming. Store-bought air fresheners just cover up the smell with strong, clearly artificial scents, creating disturbing hybrid smells that only serve to worsen the situation. Acetic acid in vinegar absorbs odors, so spritzing it around the room will neutralize the smells. You can also use it to wipe down surfaces in the room that needs freshening.

9. Remove stickers
If you’re just getting around to removing that Kerry/Edwards decal from your bumper, or trying to peel a price tag off a new purchase, you’ll never guess what magic ingredient is about to make your life a lot easier. Warm a little bit of white vinegar on the stovetop or in the microwave and then dip a rag into it. Hold the rag over the sticker until it’s thoroughly saturated, and it will peel right off without leaving sticky residue behind. This trick also loosens wallpaper adhesive.

10. Cure hiccups
Most doctors claim that hiccup cures don’t actually work, but tell that to the thousands of people who swear by vinegar as a way to ease these involuntary spasms. It’s not clear how a shot of vinegar would actually help -- other than to distract you with its acidic flavor -- but next time you’ve got a bout of the hiccups, give it a try.

11. Clean crusty paintbrushes
So you forgot to clean your paintbrushes last time you used them, and now they’re so stiff and crusty, it seems that you’ll have to throw them away. Not so fast! Fill a saucepan with undiluted white vinegar and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Dip the paintbrushes into the boiling vinegar, one at a time, dragging the bristles along the bottom of the pan. Continue this process until the paint is dissolved.

12. Dissolve rust
The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with iron oxide to remove rust from small metal items like hinges, nuts and bolts. Simmer them in a saucepan full of vinegar, then rinse well with water to prevent the vinegar from further affecting the metal.

13. Eliminate stale odors
You know how lunchboxes and other food containers can take on a funny smell after a while? Vinegar can take care of that, too. Either wipe down the surface well with white vinegar or, in severe cases, leave a cloth soaked in vinegar in the container for a few hours to absorb the odors.

14. Remove mineral deposits
Calcium and lime deposits from hard water don’t just stain coffeemakers and bath tubs, they can actually clog showerheads and reduce dishwasher function. Run a mixture of half water, half white vinegar through your coffee machine to remove them. Use straight vinegar as a rinsing agent in your dishwasher to prevent buildup, and wrap a vinegar-soaked cloth around stained faucets until the deposits can be easily scrubbed away. To clean a clogged showerhead, remove it from the pipe and place it in a saucepan full of white vinegar. Simmer for just a few minutes, being careful not to allow it to boil, and then wash off the stains.

15. Neutralize spice in foods
You’ve got a dinner disaster on your hands: One too many shakes of cayenne powder has turned your award-winning chili into an inedible five-alarm blaze, and your guests are waiting at the table. Vinegar to the rescue! Add white or apple cider vinegar to your food, one teaspoon at a time, to neutralize the spice.

16. Prolong the life of cut flowers
Bouquets of cut flowers brighten a room all too briefly, often wilting after just a few days. Squeeze a little extra enjoyment out of your arrangements by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water in the vase, which will keep them perky just a little bit longer.

17. Clean glass, plastic, chrome, and floors
A half-and-half solution of water and white vinegar will cut the grime on the shelves and walls of the refrigerator and eliminate spoiled-food smells too. Full-strength vinegar will remove tough smudges on glass and make porcelain sinks shine. Make it into a paste with a little baking soda to scrub chrome, or mix 1/3 white vinegar with 1/3 rubbing alcohol, 1/3 water, and 3 drops of dishwashing liquid for an economical floor cleaner. Just be sure not to get vinegar on marble, granite, or slate surfaces.

18. Treat fungal infections
Fungal infections like athlete’s foot, toe nail fungus, and dandruff are definitely no fun. White vinegar and apple cider vinegar can both be applied topically to affected areas of the body to kill fungus. For foot-related ailments, soak in a solution of one part vinegar to five parts water for about 30 minutes a day.

19. Tenderize and kill bacteria in meat
Marinate meat overnight in apple cider vinegar, and it will be delectably tender. This can reportedly also kill the bacteria that causes food-borne illnesses, including e. coli.

20. Open drains and freshen garbage disposals
Clear a clogged drain without the nasty, headache-inducing chemicals. Dump about 3/4 cup of baking soda down the drain and chase it with 1/2 cup white vinegar, then plug the drain. Leave it for about 30 minutes before rinsing with a kettle full of boiling water. You can use the same trick to clean and deodorize garbage disposals, or freeze vinegar in an ice cube tray and grind them up in the disposal to clean and sharpen the blades at the same time.

Crafting Rebellion: Crazy Clips

Alrighty, I don't know about you but we are ALWAYS using those little wooden clips around our house for just about everything. From sealing chip bags, to holding papers, to arts and crafts projects! Here is an adorable way you can dress up yours to suit your style! Thanks Crafting Rebellion for an adorable post!

Crafting Rebellion: Crazy Clips: I love making Crazy Clip clothespins. They can be found in drawers all over my house. I use them as chip clips, memo board clips, paper cl...

Funtastic Saturday!

This has officially been a FUNTASTIC day :D. My sister and I set-up our booth at the San Benito Market Days event and were amazed at the wonderful community turn out. We had a blast and were a huge success. We will definitely be participating in next month's event as well.

My sister and I would like to send out HUGE virtual hugs and thank yous to everyone that came and showed their support :D

If that wasn't great enough, I came home to find my prize from MyCOVERGIRL'S monthly drawing for their 50th Anniversary. I won the cutest shade of lipstick. So it has been a FUNTASTIC DAY :D

Green Mountain Coffee

Fair Trade means better quality for all - That is Green Mountain Coffee's logo and they stand by it!

As a Bzzagent with www.bzzagent.com, I am always being offered the wonderful opportunity to try brand new products. I was given the opportunity to try Green Mountain Coffee, and wow am I impressed. The taste is of course amazing and smells delish, but it is their business ethics that stand out among the rest.

What is Fair Trade? Here is the Scoop from Bzzagent.com's website!:

The Scoop

How does Fair Trade make a difference?
Fair Trade provides a direct link between farmers and Green Mountain Coffee®, cutting out the middlemen known as "coyotes." Here are some other good-to-know Fair Trade benefits:

Farmers are paid a fair price for their harvest: Fair Trade farmers are guaranteed a minimum price for their coffee, and if market prices exceed the minimum, they receive current market prices plus a separate payment called a premium

Farming families and communities are supported: Farmers within a co-op vote to determine how to invest their Fair Trade premiums to best benefit their own communities funding projects like schools, roads, health clinics, and safe drinking water.

Sustainable farming practices are promoted: To become Fair Trade Certified™, farmers must adhere to a number of environmental standards, like protecting water resources, and restricting the use of pesticides and certain chemicals

Working conditions are bettered: Fair Trade Certified™ communities must follow strict labor laws and practices that are in place to protect workers

You get high-quality coffee: Farmers use their Fair Trade premiums to invest in their businesses for things like drying patios and mineral-rich compost. These investments and requirements result in higher-quality coffee for you and your family.

If that doesn't sell you, the taste will! I was able to sample the k-cups and they are amazing! It has the same rich smell and taste as my usual cup of coffee, but with better practices behind it!

To read up more on Green Mountain Coffee visit: http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/
To find out how to become a Bzzagent like myself visit: www.bzzagent.com

Yummy Pork Stir Fry!

Another big hugs and thank to Lawry's and Bzzagent.com for providing this family of eaters with another wonderful meal! Last night I made a scrumptious pork stir fry! It was out of this world yummy. Here is how it went down:

Step 1: Fully cooked my pork tenderloins, which were seasoned with garlic flakes and Lawry's Seasoning Salt (a great seasoning that combines multiple flavors into one seasoning such as paprika, onion, salt, sugar, garlic, and such)

Step 2: Preppin' my veggies! I used a quarter of an onion, a whole bell pepper (after taking out the seeds of course) , and one yellow squash. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, garlic pepper, and a few splashes of low sodium soy sauce.

Step 3: I let my veggies simmer in the pot with about half a stick of butter.

Step 4: Watch and wait. While I waited I boiled two bags of instant rice until tender and put it aside.

Step 5: Once everything it tender and fully cooked. I pulled the meat aside and let it rest a while before I cut it into bite size strips. I added the other half stick of butter to my veggies. Once the butter is melted, I added the pork strips and rice to my veggies and gave it a quick stir. At the point the heat is on low just to keep it warm since everything is already cooked. I let everything simmer for another 5 minutes and then it was done and ready to serve!

Dinner was a HUGE success and everyone loved the yummy flavor Lawry's Seasoning salt added to the tender juicy pork.

And there you have it, another fab and easy meal. Even better, there was very little clean up! Thanks for reading!

For more information about Lawry's wide range of spices and seasoning visit: http://www.lawrys.com/

Would you like to become a Bzzagent just like myself and try and review new and wonderful products? Well then visit www.bzzagent.com to learn more!