To:

Sandie Lee !!!!

Sandie Lee is the proud Winner and lovely recipient of the first ever Summer Candle Contest!!

Way to Go Sandie Lee!

Sandie gets to visit Angie's Candles and choose her own scent!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the initial contest, and be ready for the next...coming this week!

Be sure to tell friends about it, rules are everlasting:

You must be a follower to enter the contest.

All those already following are automatically entered into each and every contest. So don't be surprised if your name pops up and you get a freebie!

Be on the look out for some interesting and different items coming your way!

P.S.: Visit Sandie Lee to see what she's been up to...

Imagination-Cafe Blog

Sandie Lee... Live It. Love It.Write It

Ok everyone....This is it.......
The Final Countdown!.


You are coming up on the final hour to enter into the
Very 1st Summer Contest of my blog!

Only a few short hours remain before you can pick your own
handmade scent of wonderfulness!

Hurry......You Are Running Out Of Time!

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock

Yeah to Me!!

Since June 13th, I have lost a total of 7.4lbs! Whoo hoo!

I have been trying to make sure I make time for my daily walk -

going about 2+ miles each time.

Besides the protein shakes, I have been adding tea to my daily diet.

I am drinking Dandelion Root Tea , I get mine from a local health food store....but you can buy it anywhere that is convenient for you. I've enclosed a link to a webstore - just click dandelion root tea.

I love it- I get the caffeine free, roasted tea bags, and add a teaspoon of honey. It's a great addition to any weight loss regimen!

So......7.4lbs down, and only 16 more to go. That's doable. Gotta make sure to stay motivated, though, as it is easy to get sidetracked. Potato chips & onion dip are my downfall. They get me every time!

I have also been adding more fruit to my diet. I am thinking of grilling some peaches this weekend... the taste is supposed to be out of this world from what I hear. Haven't tried it yet.  But here is a recipe I pulled from online- Grilled Amaretto Peaches - give it a try and let me know your thoughts!

Have a Happy Saturday!

Get out of the house and go do something healthy for yourself!

Wow! How time flies by!
I can't believe it's been almost a week since my last post.
Ok- well to start you off.....here is a great protein shake to try:

Protein-Carb Almond Blast

Mix 2 Scoops of Vanilla Econo Whey Meal or other protein with
10-12 oz of skim milk
1.2 cup of dry oatmeal
1.2 cup of raisins
12 shredded almonds
1 tbsp of peanut butter.
It's like pudding!
{ recipe courtesy of BodyBuilding.com }

Hope those that enjoy the recipes are able to give a few of these a try....
they are very good!

I am now working on yet another blanket....lol, crocheting in mid-summer? Crazy, huh?
But it definitely passes the time, and I enjoy it,too.
I love making the blankets.
Thinking of crocheting a baby quilt.

Ok contest is good for 4 more days! Make sure to tell your friends to enter for a chance to win a FREE Candle from Angie!

Have a great weekend everyone....Stay Cool and Safe!

Check This Out!

For movie lovers of all ages.......remember the movie The Wedding Planner , starring Jennifer Lopez?
The romantic scene where they met at the park, watching a movie and...
well you know the rest.
Well, for those followers local to my area..........tonight is movie night!
Citrus Memorial Hospital and the Citrus County Parks and Recreation have teamed up to present to you a: "Movie in the Park" for tonight June 19th - how cool is that!
The showing will be at Holden Park, right here in Inverness.
Show Time is scheduled to begin around 8:45pm, per the info given.
And the movie listed for tonight's feature:

OPEN SEASON

Note that this special presentation is FREE of charge - and there is to also be free popcprn.

You do have the opportunity to purchase candy and drinks from a concession stand as well.

So, gather your picnic blankets, coolers, and the kids, and head down for a great evening!

T.G.I.Friday!!! 

Well.....1 down, and a couple more to go. Love crocheting- it is very relaxing. I have to stop myself I've learned, because I have noticed I can crochet the day away- before I knew it the day was coming to an end!
So- I will pace myself.....lol, can't sit and knit the whole day!
This weekend I am hitting the local craft stores to search for some really nice colors.
There are so many that I like, that I have decided to just keep it at about 3 blankets at a time. So as not to have an entire room devoted to yarn skeins!

For those that have been following.....good for you!.....remember to share with a friend:
Only 10 days left to enter the contest for Angie's Candle ~ Don't miss out!

Wait til you see what I have in store for the upcoming contests.
Remember, you have to be a follower to be entered.
So once you have signed up- you are automatically entered- each and every contest.


Today's Protein Shake Pick:
Berry Good Shake

Mix 2 scoops of Raspberry Yogurt and protein powder
4 strawberries
15 blueberries
16 ounces of nonfat milk
1.2 cup of ice cubes.
It is so good that you should serve it with a little umbrella in it!
(Recipe courtesy of BodyBuilding.com)

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Be sure to take time out for yourselves, grab a book, head to the beach (or pool!), and just enjoy the beautiful nature around you.

Hello friends! How are you today?

Well, today was pretty productive...........started 3 different blankets for my Etsy Shop, crocheted most of the day. Going to add the crocheted pieces in a special section of my shop. Be sure to check them out.
Great gift items.....baby shower, gift baskets, etc.

You now have 12 days to enter for a chance to win one of Angie's candles, don't miss out!
Remember the winner will get to pick their choice of scent!

I am sticking to my workouts, and so far so good.......
Yeah! So far a total of 0.8 lbs lost!
(umm...yeah I cheated and weighed in early,lol)

Today's choice for Protein Shakes:
Orange Vanilla Shake
Mix 2 scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder
8 oz. Orange Juice
4-5 ice cubes
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
½ banana
2-3 frozen strawberries
2 packets of sweetener
(recipe courtesy of BodyBuilding.com)

Wish me luck in achieving my goal!

Only 13 Days Left To Enter For Angie's Candle!
Make sure you visit the link to Angie's Etsy Shop
and check out her candle creations!

Today was such a nice day. Went for a great walk at Whispering Pines Park-
sticking to the daily routine is easier than I thought- seems I just jumped right back where I left off.

To my reef friends: I have had this itsy bitsy bta for the longest time, like months- well, I moved my room around, and in doing so I moved my tanks around. So... when I moved the clown tank, I had moved the rock around as well. Turns out the bta has split! I now have two identical itsy bitsy bta's!
Pretty cool, but it would be nice to see them get bigger. Right now they are about the size of a mini peanut butter cup! Beautiful coral pink foot with pearl white tips.
The clowns are hosting the green bta- (it's about time!) and look to be doing their lovey-luv dance again, so I expect them to be expecting soon enough!

Also spent the afternoon baking up some goodies for my Etsy Shop .
Mmmmm......smells so nice! Will be posting them within a day or two.

Ok everyone.....the yummy pick for today's protein shake is Banana Bread!
Let me know what you think of this scrumptious too-good-for-you shake!

Banana Bread Shake

2 scoops Whey Protein
1 Banana
1/2 Cup Quaker Oatmeal (cook with boiling water)
3/4 Cup Kellogg's Bran Flakes
1 Bottle of Water
Sugar, Brown Sugar or Artificial Sweetener to taste
Blend and enjoy

Be Blessed & Healthy!

I have had such a great response to the Candle Contest , that I have reached out to my friends in the mompack- and let me just say that the contests I have in store are following suit in offering some very special, unique items. Some handcrafted by fellow Etsy members, some generously donated by gourmet shops, all wonderful in their own way! These items are being offered as gifts to my followers, as a Special Thank You for following my blog. So many times good things go unnoticed, and I just want you to know that you are appreciated! Good Luck in the contests....remember you have to follow to win....there will be rules designated for each item presented.........and all followers who signed up prior to the contest are automatically entered.

Here is today's Protein Shake Recipe:

The Bad Girl

12 Oz Skim Milk
4-8 Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies
Handful Of Ice
2 Scoops Of Chocolate Whey Protein
Recipe Courtesy of BodyBuilding.com

Blend and enjoy!

A Little Me Time

Sunday.....another week is upon us. Are you ready for it?
 Got a plan on how to tackle things ahead?
Well, let's get you started on the right foot.
For myself, I plan to put a little bit of Me time in each day.
My original goal of working out daily kindof got sideswiped by life.
So I am now adding that back into my daily schedule.
Here I will be adding a bit of daily inspiration found from my TwitterMoms, and I will also be posting my weightloss tracker on my sidebar, and updating it bi-weekly. (lol, I think that's the only way to stay on track!)
I also am starting my protein shakes back up again, so for those who enjoy them as well:

Reeses Pieces Shake

1 Cup Skim Milk
1 Cup Egg Beaters
1 Heaping Tbsp Peter Pan Honey Roasted Peanut Butter
2.5 Scoops Double Rich Chocolate Whey Protein
1 Heaping Tbsp Micronized Creatine
A Sufficient Amount Of CoffeeMate Sugar Free Hazlenut Flavoring!
Blend For 30-40 Seconds
recipe courtesy of one of my favorite forums: http://www.bodybuilding.com/


I also have been setting aside time for my Chemistry Creativity, and having fun making up new batches of soaps, bath salts, etc for my Etsy Shop . Be sure to check out my new listings. I am stocking the shop back up, so let me know if there is something you are seeking.

And, as a reminder:

Be Sure To Enter The Candle Contest! You cannot win if you do not enter.
 So far there are quite a few entrants.......you only have 15 days to enter for a chance to win 1 of Angie's Candles.
Remeber the winning follower gets to choose their own scent! Here is her shop , be sure to check it out and choose a scent you'd like. If you don't see one of your favorites- you can send her a message and she will let you know if she has it.

To all my ReefBuddies out there........we had a very nice turnout at our meeting today. We had several new members join our club, and we look forward to the next meeting - to be hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick. Visit our forum  to join or check out our facebook page to get to know the members.

Ok everyone........Wish You A Wonderful Week.......
Be Sure To Get Some You Time!
Have a Great Day & Be Blessed................Namaste

It's that time again!

Join us for our monthly

Reef Club Meeting !

This month's meeting will be held  at TANKSALOTPETS in Ocala.

Tomorrow, Sunday June 13th at 3pm.

There will be refreshments, how-to's and

the opportunity to meet & greet fellow hobbyists.

Please do feel free to come join us, we'd love to see you!

Mojito Lip Sugar Scrub

Mojito Sugar Lip Scrub
Yep......a scrub for your lips!
Your lips go through so much:
being windburn, sunburn, chapped, dry, cracked .
Let's not forget that we all bite our lip from time to time.
Treat your lips to a mini spa getaway!
Mojito Sugar Lip Scrub .........Your Lips Will Thank You!

Sugary Sweet.......Such a Nice Treat!
Today I made up several batches of Warm Vanilla~Lavender Sugar Scrub.
It is a soft exfoliating scrub that leaves your skin feeling clean- no feeling of residue left behind.
Vanilla and lavender, jojoba and olive oils, white cane sugar, sweet brown sugar, and crushed apricot seeds blended together to create a delicate sugary concoction as you gently exfoliate to reveal softer, healthier skin.
Warm Vanilla~Lavender Sugar Scrub - treat yourself today!

Summer Contest.......Tell A Friend!


As you know, I have recently been given a treat from Angie Beechan -
 her Lemon Bundt Cake candle.
I would now like to give you the opportunity to receive your own candle - FREE. Yes, you read that right....FREE! Angie has graciously offered to provide a candle to one of my followers for this contest. She has left the option of SCENT open to be determined by the winner.
Rules for this contest:
#1 - You must be a follower. Simple enough. This can be done through Twitter, Google Friend Connect, etc.
#2 - You only need to leave a comment for me and your email address.
        The comment is as simple as: "Candle Contest" : (then your email)
        That's it. Those are the rules. No long, drawn out 'fill in your life'
        type of questions.
        This is meant to be fun!

Now, as a BONUS ......if you refer a friend, and they follow....you will get an additional entry into the contest. Each new friend following=1 more entry. There are no limits to this. (just be sure they know to say YOU referred them!)

Now, as far as Angie's site....click on her Etsy shop and browse through her items she has been stocking for you. If you can, leave her a comment as to the type of scent you would like to see offered in her shop.

The contest will run until June 30th, 2010. All day. No cutoff time on the last day.
On July 1st, 2010 I will then pick a winner, and will notify you by email
 to get the correct shipping address for your PRIZE!

        Pretty simple rules, right?
        This contest is the first in what I plan to be many,
        so make sure to get on  board from the get-go!
       The clock is ticking............have you entered yet? Tell a friend today!

(***added note to those that have entered the contest thus far: I am not publishing the comments, as they are only meant to be used as entries into the contest, and I want to be sure your email remains private.***)

Rose, Oatmeal, Lavender

Rose, Oatmeal, Lavender.....Oh My!

My Etsy Shop is being stocked with great little goodies -
so come check it out!

Newly added are Tub Tea Bags, an awesome way to enjoy a botanical bath without all the fuss of the ingredients having to be cleaned up when you are done.

Simply toss in a tub tea bag, (or two, if you desire), and when finished...

simply toss it out.

What could be simpler?

This particular batch has Rose Petals, Powdered Milk, Oatmeal, Lavender Fizzion, and a touch of bubbles.

You gotta have bubbles! You can use the tea bag as a scrubbie to gently exfoliate as you wash, it will suds up and can be used like a wash cloth.

Be sure to visit My Etsy Shop  to check it out!

Have a great day everyone!

What a Wonderful Treat!

I was given the opportunity to review a candle handcrafted by a fellow blogger... Angela Beechan.
You can find her and lots of goodies at http://www.angiewith2.blogspot.com/ .
Now, the candle that I received was a deliciously scented Lemon Bundt Cake. It's a very warm, creme yellow colored soy candle. Soy, much better all around. The burn time on this little beauty is phenomenal- it has been burning for several hours, for several days, and still- it is going strong. The first things that you notice are always the littlest things: the wick. This baby has not once crumbled, or fallen apart and left those nasty little black bits in my candle (I really hate when that happens!) But this wick is staying true to its job!
The color as I mentioned is a warm, creme colored yellow- and blends with any room you place it in. The scent, a delicious lemon aroma fills the air, with hints of an italian cookie lingering all around you. It's all housed in a delicately etched glass mason jar, that as the candle burns, the image of etched fruit glows with the light of the flame. The jar itself, remains cool to the touch- which is very good, if you are like me, and tend to take your candles here and there. I actually blew the candle out and was taking it with me to show a friend, and realized how cool to the touch the glass was. I am definitely pleased with this candle.
Angela, thank you for sharing it with me. I will be passing your link along in comments, and I wish you the best in your creations!