Carraba's Brandon, Florida Review

My family and I decided to try Carraba's in Brandon, FL yesterday for lunch. We got to the place and I noticed a very strong odor of spices as soon as we walked through the door. My wife noticed a much worse odor as she used the Lady's room. Lucky for me, the Men's room was clean and fresh.

The waiter was nice, he brought the four of us two baskets of delicious warm bread twice. He was busy, but he tried to make sure our trip was good.

I ordered the chicken parmesan sandwich, with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers as a side. The chicken parm was dry, so I asked for a side of sauce and dipped the sandwich into the sauce. This fixed the problem. The tomatoes and cucumbers were good, but there were actually too many cherry tomatoes. I am not sure how anybody could have eaten that many cherry tomatoes, there had to be at least twenty five.

My son ordered the meatball sandwich with a side of mashed potatoes. He liked the sandwich, even though it was dry because he doesn't like too much sauce. My son had no complaints about his food.

My daughter ordered chicken carraba, which was supposed to be chicken alfredo. There were a ton of delicious tasting noodles, but only four small pieces of chicken. There was actually enough noodles that my son and I had to help my daughter finish them. I believe there had to be a pound of noodles on that plate, amazing.

My wife had seafood pasta. She had the right amount of noodles and seafood. I tried a shrimp, it was large and tasty. The meal also had mussels and scallops. My wife loved her meal.

If you go to Carraba's in Brandon, FL, make sure you order the more expensive dishes, they seem to be made better and are of better quality. The sandwiches were dry and my daughter's dish was lacking enough chicken. Lesson Learned. If I had to give the restaurant an overall grade, they would only receive a C+.

Family Honor Plate & Discussion Cards Review

About the plate: Step #1 MOM AND DAD - BE THE EXAMPLE. BE THE ROLE-MODEL: The virtues are listed in the center of the plate for mom and dad to use as their anchor, their moral compass to guide them in how they need to show up for and to their children. This is how our children learn what character (Christ's Character) is, what it looks like, what it feels like. Our children are watching us and learning from us.

 Step #2 BE ON THE LOOKOUT: Look for the good choices and attitude your kids/spouse are making and showing throughout the day. Track it back to the virtues and character it shows.

Step #3 CELEBRATE THEIR CHARACTER: Turn dinnertime into a celebration when you catch someone making good choices and showing good character and present their meal on the FAMILY HONOR PLATE. This is when you: · Talk about the choices they made and the virtues and character that it showed (Be specific). · Talk about how they made everyone involved feel and the impact they had on people and how that is POWERFUL and BEAUTIFUL. About the cards: Every question is followed up with "Why?" to take everyone's answers to a deeper more intimate level. That's where the magic is and the real conversation starts. So now when even a simple question such as..."What is your favorite dessert?" for example, rather than someone answering "Apple Pie" and then moving on to the next person, the whole family gets to walk down memory lane because it reminds them of Grandma Smith who always made apple pies with them when they came to visit." Her house always smelled of fresh baked pies and she gave the best hugs when we walked in the door." Communication is the key to connecting, building and maintaining healthy relationships. When we are raise our children to be confident in their ability to communicate with others and get their point across, situations are less stressful and they have better outcomes.

Okay, these are my two young children. I have a girl who is 21, but she is in college. Khloe is the artist in the family and she painted the Family Honor Plate. We actually made sure mom didn't see it and it is her present for Christmas from her children. This honor plate gave us a chance to give mom something special for Christmas. My kids are in Catholic school and they actually do some things like this in their school. Different, but somewhat the same. My son and I went to Metropolitan Ministries and worked all day. It was actually was hard work, but we helped people in need. The plate is special because what it says, but also because of what you do with it.

The discussion cards are cool because my children and I go through them and talk to each other. I was the stay at home (working father) who has spent a lot of time with his children, but as they get older, it is nice to talk to them, have questions that interest them and know what they are thinking about life. For instance what do you like most about summer vacation? My daughter it would be drawing pictures and reading. My son the answer would be he's out of school and he gets to play video games. The surprise this year is I changed their gifts for Christmas. Since children love video games and computers, I bought a bunch of board games to force the family to come together and spend time with each other. As we play, those discussion questions will come in handy. It is always good to know what and how other members of your family are feeling.

In conclusion, I do some of what this plate was meant to do, but it is always good to have a reminder the importance of your every day life with your children and your entire family.

LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME BIBLE TRACTS REVIEW

I'm sure you've been there, walking down the street and somebody hands you a tract. Most of the time it's cool, except when you receive something from Jehovah Witnesses, making believe they are trying to bring you to Jesus. I have never seen tracts for little children. I was interested in seeing what these gospel tools looked like.

# gospeltracts

Let The Little Children Come aims to provide effective gospel tracts and evangelism tools and resources for children.

It is the hope that these tools and resources will help you in conveying the powerful gospel message to children.

these gospel tracts are all specially designed to capture and hold the attention of children, while not distracting them

 from the core message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

 #FlyBy

What I noticed about these gospel tracts for children is they remind me of tools teachers use for Vacation Bible School. They are cute and simple, any child can show them to their Christian or non-Christian friends and introduce them to Jesus. Below is how the tracts look.

This gives you some idea what i'm talking about. You can also buy the TRACTS HERE.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2017

A Florida Millipede Walking Down The Sidewalk

ESV ILLUMINATED BIBLE Review & Giveaway 12/1/2017

#ESVIlluminatedBible

I had the chance to review the ESV Illuminated Bible.The thing I like best about this Bible is the messages on the side of the pages which tell you what the text is about. For instance, "Seek The Lord Your God." I just think it's cool to have a reminder about what you read before you read it. This Bible is illustrated with cool pictures and is what I call kind of fancy. The one thing I would like is larger words, but then the Bible would be huge. It would help us fifty and older people who have to (and would rather not) wear reading glasses. I was going to give this Bible for a gift, but like it so much, that I decided to keep it for myself for my Bible. I have another Bible that is mine (given to me by a friend who died many years ago), but it's falling apart and has seen better days. 

Information about this fantastic Bible:

ESV ILLUMINATED BIBLE: The ESV Illuminated Bible places the full ESV text alongside over 500 elegantly hand-lettered gold ink illustrations by renowned artist Dana Tanamachi. Printed on thick cream-colored paper, the Bible's single-column text setting and wide margins provide generous space for additional notes, prayers, and designs—inviting readers to creatively engage with and reflect on the beauty of God's Word. • 9-point, Lexicon • Black letter text • 2-color printing • 64 full-page, custom book opener illustrations • 50 full-page verse illustrations • 250+ hand-lettered margin verses • 100+ other illustrations throughout • Illustrated by Dana Tanamachi, whose work has been featured by Google, The Wall Street Journal, Random House, USPS, and Target • Thick, cream-colored paper • Wide margins • Single-column, paragraph format • Smyth-sewn binding • Packaging: Permanent Slipcase • Dana Tanamachi is an American lettering artist, graphic designer, and illustrator whose exquisite typographic murals ignited the worldwide chalk-lettering trend. She has been commissioned by clients such as Instagram, Target, Google, Time Magazine, Nike, and West Elm. Learn more at tanamachistudio.com.

You Can Buy The Bible Here or you can enter this contest for your chance to win your own copy.

Check it out Here


#FlyBy   “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.

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Buy Planet Friendly Baby Products

Buy Planet Friendly Baby Products

More people than ever are environmentally conscious. There are many ways to save the planet from man made ruin. New parents have the opportunity to help ensure that the world remains the same or better for the new generation that they are raising. Everyone is encouraged to buy planet friendly baby products. Parents want better for their children. Staying true to environmental practices is one way to ensure that our world will be there for those that will follow us. More companies are using green manufacturing processes and obtaining woods from forests that are being sustained.

It may seem simple, but making small efforts to further environmental progress does help. If everyone would do these small things the world and its natural resources will continue far into the future. Our children will soon be in charge of this planet. Our example when they are young can instill a sense of global responsibility. There are superior baby products made with all natural materials like gorgeous woods. Buy teething baby rattles online that are made from sustainable wood and have an environmental impact when more people decide to buy them. These items have practical uses, and it just feels good to purchase products known to be environmentally crafted.

Teething toys enable babies to have something safe to gnaw on. It is best to use something that won't injure sensitive skin, face and tender or sore gums. These preferred baby toys will give hours of comfort and good feelings. Parents interested in buying green products for their babes have a lot to choose from currently. These items can be readily found with a short computer search. There are also natural material baby covers, clothes and play mats that make excellent baby shower or Christmas gift selections.

Remember to consider selecting these items that have bright color options and fanciful design patterns. Babies are nosy, and they love nothing more than to discover new places and things. Baby products that don't harm the environment are worth looking around for. Look up baby product retailers listed under green or environmentally conscious businesses. Their products give back to the earth as well as provide happy entertainment for your precious young one. Always go with online retailers if they are ethically motivated. Search out the ones known for their superb customer service and unusually beautiful products. Online baby shopping saves tired parents needed energy, and provides more change to stay in the bank accounts.

Baby rattles that have attached ring grips that double as a teething toy are phenomenal purchase choices. Look for animal shapes and festive decoration details. Parents should search for baby supplies that use water based dyes and gentle fabrics. A baby has exceptionally delicate skin, and even small roughened or coarse materials can cause redness, rashes and skin tenderness. Beech wood is an excellent choice for baby teething products. With patience, the world will become even more beautiful. Monitoring your everyday purchases is one way to stay conscious of the need for planet protection.

There is nothing more cherished than a baby. They deserve the finest products and a safe environment. Make a responsible statement by purchasing only products for baby that are made using environmentally safe processes and materials. Your precious baby is worth the tiny effort.

Unique Christmas Gift Baskets

Unique Christmas Gift Baskets

Giving extraordinary Christmas food gift baskets will not only solve the problem of “whatever shall I give?,” but will also be guaranteed to bring a big smile and a squeal of delight from the recipients.

A gourmet gift basket is always appreciated, especially when presented as a work of art in a reusable and attractive basket or container. It comes with a free personalized hand written gift message and is topped off with a bow or a hand-tied satin ribbon. Every basket is custom designed and professionally arranged by award-winning designers and is prepared with fresh ingredients only after it is ordered. 

The delicious contents are amazing and are varied treats according to the theme of the basket.  Here are some exciting examples:

Baking Fun Keepsake

A two-quart red with white dots and blue accents stoneware bowl holds Shark Tank's Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Kit and other items. The delicious cookies are mixed using the pre-measured dry ingredients and popped into the oven. Also included is a Kitchen Gift Set with a Strawberry dish towel and pot holder and a dish cloth to help clean up.

Chocolate Fondue and Champagne for Two

Surprise a special couple for a perfect date night. This contains two mini 187 ml splits of effervescent Domaine Chandon Brut Classic champagne with nutty flavors and delivering complex pear and apple characteristics. Also included is a chocolate mix, porcelain ramekins, and two fondue forks.  All are wrapped in a petite picnic hamper that can be reused for further dates. Because of the alcoholic content, an adult signature will be required upon delivery.

Reese's Candy Bouquet

For those who have an addiction to Reese's, this bouquet is filled with 15 or 16 pieces of full size and fun size Reese's candies to satisfy taste buds down to the last bite. The designers will create this gift using the freshest candy available, so the flavors and varieties may vary.

Gourmet Treats Gift

This beautiful and artfully arranged gold and black faux leather embossed container can be reused in the home or office. The gourmet contents include Smoked Salmon, Camembert Cheese, Toasted Sesame Crackers, Roasted Salted Peanuts,  Buttercrunch Popcorn, Butter Toffee Pretzels, Chocolate Truffle Cookies,  Chocolate Wafer Cookies, Lady Walton's Butter Wafers, Cashew Roca, and two Ghirardelli Squares.

Visit Bisket Baskets And More

They have specialized in a distinctive collection of creative and meaningful Gourmet Gift Baskets for all occasions, holidays, thank yous, get wells, corporate giving, pet lovers, and other events for more than 18 years.

CHECK OUT THE STAR MOVIE ON NOVEMBER 17, 2017

THE STAR MOVIE In Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told - the first Christmas.

• Steven Yeun as Bo the donkey
• Gina Rodriguez as Mary
• Zachary Levi as Joseph
• Keegan-Michael Key as Dave the dove
• Kelly Clarkson as Leah the horse
• Patricia Heaton as Edith the cow
• Kristin Chenoweth as Abby the mouse
• Tracy Morgan as Felix the camel
• Tyler Perry as Cyrus the camel
• Oprah Winfrey as Deborah the camel
• Kris Kristofferson as Old Donkey, Bo's father
• Christopher Plummer as King Herod
• Anthony Anderson as Zach the goat
• Aidy Bryant as Ruth the sheep
• Ving Rhames as Thaddeus the dog
• Gabriel Iglesias as Rufus the dog
• Delilah as Elizabeth
• Mariah Carey as Rebecca the hen

The movie actually looks cute. I can't wait to take my children and my wife to see it.

Here is a trailer of the movie so you can see more of what it will be like before you go see it on November 17th. You can also go HERE for more information about this movie. Where you can also BUY TICKETS to the movie

After watching the official trailer and other trailers (they even have a Spanish version). I think this movie is going to be fantastic. You get to see great animation about the story of Christmas from the animals perspective, with funny parts. You also will be entertained by fantastic songs and music from Mariah Carey and other great singers. My daughter and I watched the trailers together and now we are both excited about this movie. 

 Hope to see you all at the movies, this will be a fun one for you and your families

The Role of Mailbox Services for Your Business

The Role of Mailbox Services for Your Business

Those who run a small business frequently have need of apostille NYC and similar services for successful operations. When it comes to these types of services, it's important to choose an option that has the right expertise and experience to suit all your needs. A fulfillment service will make it easier for your company to service the needs of your customers both in New York City and around the world.

How These Services Give You an Edge

One of the things that stand in the way of many companies expanding is not having sufficient space to store a lot of stock. Another hindrance is lacking an efficient shipping time, a very common concern for those running smaller businesses. Fulfillment services effectively tackle both of these needs.

Storing your stock in a fulfillment center ensures that you always have the exact amount of space that your business needs. These solutions also handle the packing and shipping, so everything is worry-free. You no longer have to worry about whether your shipping schedule will suffer because of unexpected circumstances.

Mail Forwarding

If you run your business out of a residence, mail forwarding is a good way to protect your privacy and give your business a greater sense of professionalism. Mail forwarding services use an office-like address, instead of a PO Box. There is a lot of flexibility that allows the mail to the address of your choice, as well as the choice to pick it up at the fulfillment center.

Another advantage of forwarding is the convenience it offers for international business owners. Many companies that operate internationally lack a shipping center outside their home country, causing bothersome delays for their customers in other countries. Using a fulfillment service based in the US allows international companies to have their products shipped to American customers much more quickly.

Choosing to use a fulfillment service is always a wise choice for companies that want to expand with minimal effort. Increasing your company's reach is a great way to ensure future success. You will also enjoy the increased convenience that comes with this option.

 

Why a Chain Link Fence is a Family-Friendly Option

Why a Chain Link Fence is a Family-Friendly Option

Most families are having to get by on a set budget. No matter how desirable a fence might be, there are some types of fencing that are tough on a sensible budget. Chain link is one option that will not set you back by an astronomical amount of money. The size can also be easily adjusted to work within the budget you have set aside, while still retaining a uniform look.


Secures the Property

Keeping personal items, your home, vehicles, and family safe are vital concerns in what can be an unsafe world. A chain link fence provides a secure zone that allows you the ability to easily monitor if anyone is accessing your property. It has the ability to thwart possible break-ins.


Trustworthy Containment for Children and Pets

Keeping family members safe is normally a number one priority. This is especially true of your home is near any major traffic. Small children and pets can comfortably frolic and play in a safe and secure area. You can feel great about the small investment in their safety. You will feel more comfortable to allow your loved ones the freedom to explore the area while attending to your garden area, or working on your vehicle.


Improves Home Value

Your home will retain a higher resale value with the benefits of a fenced yard. Many families are looking for homes that provide secure areas for children and pets. This will place a higher importance on choosing your home.


Transparency or Privacy Options

You have the ability to choose transparency in the chain link fence, which means you get full wind and view through the chain mesh material. There are ways to add extra privacy with slats that are interwoven, or using a privacy canvas material.


Contact chain link specialists like Family Fence to get professional fence installation Clearwater FL today!

Tips for Getting Your Family Out of the House

Tips for Getting Your Family Out of the House

If you're someone who appreciates the great outdoors, but your family isn't, it can be a frustrating experience, to say the least. If you've struggled to come up with ways to get your family out of the house, and they just aren't interested, then you might feel like you've run out of ideas. Luckily, this guide is here to help. There are plenty of ways in which you can get your family to try and see what you see, it just requires a little creativity.

Turn the Outdoors into a Luxury

For many people, the outdoors are a place you're supposed to actively avoid, rather than embrace. There are, of course, a few caveats though. For instance, yachts are a symbol of luxury, and people tend to gravitate towards that. If you're trying to get your family to come out to the ocean with you, then you might have better luck if you invest in a yacht first. There are plenty of sabre yachts for sale that you can get for your family to experience. Even someone who prefers to stay indoors can find something to do on a yacht, and you'll be surprised at how much more interested they'll be once you actually have them out on the ocean with you.

Turn Hiking into a Game

If you like hiking, but your family doesn't, maybe it's because you haven't found the right way to get them engaged. If you have kids, try to appeal to their sense of competition. While races are an obvious to get kids hiking, you could always try something a little more outside of the box as well. For instance, a version of tag between teams could create an interesting sense of tension as you and your family split up and experience the wilderness simultaneously alone and together. If you've ever wanted to raise the stakes on your own hiking trips, then this would be a great way to do it.

Having fun in the outdoors can take different shapes for everyone, so it's important not to give up at the first sign of resistance. If your family can't see the joy you get out of the outdoors, then it might be time to meet them on their level and try to see what it takes to get them engaged. Regardless, as long as you and your family enjoy the time spent together, it shouldn't matter if you're outdoors, indoors, or anywhere else for that matter.

NICHOLE NORDEMAN’S “EVERY MILE MATTERED” CD Review

Click on picture to check out Every Mile Mattered on Amazon
I had the chance to listen to Nichole Nordeman's Every Mile Mattered CD. I enjoyed the CD, the perfect music to listen to when you want to worship God. Unlike her previous CD, I have not found a favorite song on this CD yet. All songs were beautifully sung and gave glory to God. I just did not get hooked on one favorite song yet. I have a long drive tomorrow to Canton, Ohio, so this may change. I like Nichole because singing is not the only part of her life. Singing is one of the ways she worships God and shares his love with the rest of us.

TRACK LISTING

001. Every Mile Mattered

002. You're Here

003. Dear Me

004. No Longer

005. Lean

006. Hush, Hush

007. Listen To Your Life

008. Beautiful Day

009. Sound Of Surviving

010. Anywhere We Are

011. Slow Down
I loved "The Unmaking CD immediately, this CD is slowly growing on me. I know Nichole also has a book coming out in August called Slow Down. You can buy the book on Amazon and at other various places online. Look at it in your favorite Christian store too. FLYBY

Check out this book and more on AMAZON

KARI JOBE "THE GARDEN" CD Review 2/16/2017

#TheGarden

I had the opportunity to review the CD KARI JOBE "THE GARDEN" This was very much a personal worship CD. When you put this CD in it is time to worship The Lord. Kari's voice reminds me something like Plumb and as you can see above, she is going on tour with her beautiful music. #TheGarden

You can buy Kari's music through APPLE or you can enter this giveaway for your chance to win a copy of this CD. Listen For Free

Grammy nominated Kari Jobe is the premiere female worship leader in Christian music. Coming off her last live album, Majestic, which featured the worship anthem “Forever” and radio hit “I Am Not Alone," Kari Jobe has returned to the studio to record her new album, The Garden, full of brand new worship anthems for the church and for personal reflection. Finding inspiration from life’s joys and hardships, Kari leans into the firm foundation of Christ through it all.

"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 a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

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TEN DOLLAR AMAZON GIFT CODE GIVEAWAY 1/21/2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! THIS POST IS A GIVEAWAY FOR AN AMAZON TEN DOLLAR GIFT CODE. THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN RANDOMLY THROUGH RAFFLECOPTER AP AND WILL BE SHOWN WHEN THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS. THEN THE WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED THROUGH EMAIL, THE GIFT CODE WILL ALSO BE SENT THROUGH EMAIL TO THE WINNER. THIS MAY BE THE EASIEST GIVEAWAY YOU ENTERED ALL YEAR. ALL ARE OKAY TO ENTER AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE RULES.

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Grab and Go Meals With BelVita Bisquits

I always wanted to try BelVita Bisquits. Today I went to Walmart, found them and bought a couple of boxes to try them out. We bought Strawberry Yogurt Creme Breakfast Sandwich and BelVita Soft Baked Oats and Peanut Butter. We chose Peanut Butter because the entire family loves peanut butter.

My son, daughter and I tried the Strawberry Yogurt creme breakfast Belvita Sandwiches. They taste great and actually fill you up. My daughter didn't like the flavor, but it was just because it was strawberry. My son and I like the flavor, tastes great with milk.






The good thing about the BELVITA breakfast sandwiches is they help keep you from being hungry for four hours. My son is twelve and my daughter is ten. If you have children at these ages, you know they are always hungry. At least with these crackers, both of them are full for a little while longer. CHECK OUT THE Walmart Locater Page, so you can see where you need to go to get your BelVita Breakfast Snacks.

I am an in the stands beer vendor at NFL games in Florida and these BelVita breakfast snacks and soft baked cookies are perfect to carry along with me to give me the energy I need, when I need it.

If you like to save money with rebates, you can buy BelVita and get a rebate with Ibotta, which is very cool. This way you get a great tasting snack and you actually save money. The cool thing about Ibotta is you can save money on many other products you buy at WalMart too.

With a busy life on the go, we know you are looking to save time and money without sacrificing the taste and quality of the most important meal of the day. The delicious, convenient breakfast that belVita biscuits provide, will keep you coming back for more. When served with fruit and dairy, belVita Biscuits provides you with 4 hours of steady nutritious energy to keep you going all morning long. 

STAY TUNED FOR PICTURES OF THE WALMART IN STORE EVENT.  Return to your nearest participating Walmart on Saturday, January 7th or Sunday, January 8th for a special belVita Breakfast in-store event. Each location will offer belVita Breakfast samples, exclusive savings, smoothies, giveaways and more. . Events will take place at select Walmart locations between 12:30 pm – 6:30pm. MAYBE I'LL SEE YOU THERE.