Aloha Friday | The Angel Forever

Category Archives Aloha Friday

Phone to the Rescue at Mabee Farm Historic Site

Posted on June 14, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

A week ago today, I was on a field trip with my son’s class. I was very excited to be headed to a new place that I had never been to before. It was a chance to be with my son, really meet his classmates, and explore the Mabee Farm Historic Site. The night before the trip, I was writing a post about setting up my new Windows Phone as a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers. I used my camera to take some photos to use.

The next morning was hectic as we prepared for what would be a very wet and cold day outside at Mabee Farm. While loading up my things, I tossed my camera in my backpack. When we arrived in the barn for the introduction by the curator of the museum, I tried to take a photo. My camera buzzed because it’s memory was filled. I opened it up and then realized my SD card was at home.

This is where my current smartphone, RAZR HD, saved the day. I had kept this phone with me since I had a case for it and knew it would be safe in the rain. I was also more comfortable using it at this point. Most important with this scenario, it had another memory card in it and I knew I would be safe taking lots of photos. All of the photos above were taken with my RAZR. This phone helped me to capture memories of the kids learning about chamber pots, life on a colonial New York State farm, and using sheep to make yarn.

Since Aloha Friday is being brought back, this weeks question is:

Have you ever been caught without your camera working and had to use your cell phone? Let me know what happened and how you made out. I was very lucky that I captured some great memories of our time on the Mohawk River in colonial times.

It's Me

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I receive different devices to check out in my life. The RAZR HD was sent to me several months ago and my go to phone in a pinch. There was no other compensation. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun. These days, Pamela at A Renaissance Woman is reviving the fun Friday Meme. Head over there to link up and join in the fun.

Aloha #242

Categories:
Aloha Friday Technology travel

For the Love of Veggie Burgers

Posted on February 22, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Although I am not a vegetarian, we practically are at home. Thanks to the cost of kosher meat, we typically eat vegetarian foods in our house and only occasionally toss in some ground turkey or boneless chicken breasts. We often eat meat alternatives, tofu, Morning Star Farms products, and fish.

As a BzzAgent, I was asked to participate their Morning Star Farms Campaign that was focused on Changing up Burgers for the better in the new year. I jumped at the opportunity since our freezer is often filled with many of their products. Not only are they healthier for us, they are great to make in a pinch when we are on the go.

Over the weekend, TechyDad noticed a new variety of Morning Star veggie burgers. He had noticed Mediterranean Chickpea and honestly did not need to ask me. It was a given that I would want to try them based on the name. Just check out the product description:

A totally refreshing veggie burger, made with chickpeas, spinach, Roma tomatoes, and traditional Greek herbs and spices.

Although we were given a coupon for a free package of Morning Star Farms burgers, I forgot it at home (ooops). So we bought a package of the Mediterranean Chickpea burgers and some other meatless products for the week.

The other night, we needed a quick dinner and I suggested trying the new veggie burgers. I mentioned it on Facebook and people were intrigued with the package photo. They asked if it was like a falafel. I said I was not sure and would get back to them. Once I took a bite, I knew I had to take a photo and share. Check it out:

Why yes, those are whole chickpeas within the veggie burger. We had some pitas in the house and served them inside them. I can honestly say it reminded me of a falafel pita, but not fried and greasy. It was crisp (baked in the oven) and delicious. The texture was perfect and spices were perfect. The only item I missed – a sauce. The next time we tried it we used a Greek yogurt sauce to add a little something else that really hit the spot.

So my question to you this week:

Do you like veggie burgers? I would love to know how you would create the perfect veggie burger to make for a lunch or special dinner.

Disclosure: As part of the BzzAgent campaign, I was sent a coupon to try a package of Morning Star Farms veggie burgers. I was not required to write a blog post, I simply wanted to share since we are big fans of these products. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun.

Aloha #241

Categories:
Aloha Friday food glorious food

Soup Weather

Posted on January 25, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As I sit and type this post, it is 11 degrees outside. That really isn’t too horrible for winter time in New York. Of course, when you factor in the crazy wind, it really feels like it is –11. Mother Nature has quickly reminded a lot of the United State, Canada, and beyond what winter weather and bone chilling temperatures are like.

When the weather is like this, I dream of soup. Perhaps some days, I crave eating this delicious soup from Les Chefs de France at Epcot.

As much as I adore French Onion soup, there are so many other favorites. When I want something comforting or I am not feeling great, matzah ball soup is a must. This reminds me of being a little kid and having my mother’s Jewish Penicillin (bonus I wasn’t allergic to this). Soups made in the crock pot are delicious and easy, thanks to some great recipes that TechyDad and I have found. Of course, in the winter various vegetable soups help us to keep on top of our veggie consumption.

So my question to you this week:

What is your go to soup on a cold day, or a day when you need something that is nice and comforting? If you have recipes please share so I can add them to my Pinterest board all about soups.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #239

Categories:
Aloha Friday Disney food glorious food

Stress Relief Angry Birds Style

Posted on January 18, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Almost everyone was talking about Angry Birds for the longest time. I constantly heard the music playing in my house as the boys (including TechyDad) played the game. I was perfectly content spending my time using my Kindle App and reading instead of playing. Then, one day, I went to the “dark side” of things. I tried Angry Birds on my iPad. Before I knew it, I was hooked. It was a great stress reliever.

On days when I may have wanted to scream because of something, just hurling a bird and pretending that the pigs were my problems seemed to help at least a bit.

So my question to you this week is inspired by Angry Birds:

Pick a stressful item in your life right now that you could make a target of a pig a la Angry Birds. What would it be and why? Let’s vent and get it out there.

Right now, my items would involve frustrations with politics within the world of parenting on multiple levels.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #238

Categories:
Aloha Friday me moments parenting

Time to Give Hugs

Posted on January 11, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Is there someone in your life that needs a hug, or maybe you do? January 21 is National Hugging Day™ and the perfect time to surprise someone that needs a good hug. Of course, everyday should and could be a day for a hug and I think I am a firm believer of this. I mean just look at this photo of my boys getting along and hugging each other, it could be contagious:

Now, thanks to my bloggy friend Holly from Tropic Home and Family, I am going to Pay it Forward with someone else that I would like to give a hug to. I wish I lived closer to my friend Shannan (From Cribs to Car Key). She is such a strong woman, fantastic mother, and great person. She never judges, always listens, knows how to make me laugh, and dishes out great advice. Here we are together after we conquered the African Trek at Walt Disney World (thus the crazy hair).

Shannan has been there through a lot of drama in my life and helped me to keep a level head. She probably doesn’t realize how much she means in my life, but I am putting it out there for her to officially know. Thank you Shannan for always being a DM, PM, phone call, Tweet, text, or Skype call away. I know I will never be able to express what you mean to me, but you are like a virtual sister to me who I can complain to and gab about Disney with. Now we just have to figure out a way to get our states closer and meet up in person soon.

A huge thank you to Holly for sharing this idea – love it. It was also great to finally meet you and your family in December. FYI, she gives out a great hug as well.

My question this week is inspired by Holly:

If you could give a hug to anyone right now (near or far), who would it be and why? If you would like to participate in Holly’s Pay it Forward project, click on the button below (those two cuties are Holly’s boys).

It's Me

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #237