Genesis Moments - A Writer's Journey

Family-Friendly "Mighty Macs" Out In Theaters Near You!

Nuns, basketball and a little friendly competition. Families will love this movie based on a true story "where believing in a dream can make miracles happen!" Pennsylvania fans will enjoy the local Immaculata connection.

See the trailer below or watch the Fox news report about it HERE.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

It's 1971. Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time ... and she's about to embark on an adventure for the ages. A new era is dawning in the country and in collegiate athletics, where a national champion will be crowned for the first time in women's basketball.

In the lead up to this historical season, major universities are preparing their game plans to win that first title. Meanwhile a tiny all-women's Catholic college in Philadelphia has a more modest goal: find a coach before the season begins. Providentially, Cathy Rush is about to find Immaculata College.

Recently married, Cathy is dealing with the aftermath of a truncated playing career. While cultural norms would have her staying at home, she's willing to do the hard work necessary to help her new team reach their goals—or perhaps she's just trying to achieve her unfulfilled dreams through them.

From the beginning, her challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams Immaculata will face on the court. Cathy learns there is no gymnasium on campus, she receives little support from the school's Mother Superior, and the school is in dire financial straits. To top it off, she may not even have enough players to field a team!

While it appears the Macs don't have a prayer, all hope is not lost. With the help of Sister Sunday—a spunky assistant coach—and the support of a booster club of elderly nuns, Coach Rush creates a new game plan that just might bring the team—and the school—together.

Will this pioneer buck cultural norms and spur her rag-tag team to unexpected heights? Or will her hard-driving ways create a wedge between the coach and everyone around her? One thing's for certain: there's never been anyone like Cathy Rush at Immaculata!

Cassandra's Angel: A Single Book Creating a Mammoth Change My World Ripple

Last Thursday night, I had the honor of meeting the talented and incredible Gina Otto who shared with a small group of us her inspiring and growing passion to change the world.

Gina is the author of Cassandra's Angel, an award winning children's book which follows the journey of a young girl who wants to please but hears story after story that she's not good enough and she internalizes those stories to believe that she's bad or she's a mistake.

An angel arrives to remind her to let her light shine no matter what and to not let "stories" others tell her bring her down.

But, Gina hasn't stopped with writing one book. She's taken this transcendent message and created a worldwide movement, a musical bus tour and a website to help youth start with a dream and pursue it with passion. Her energy is unstoppable and I believe she inspired us all at dinner to look beyond ourselves, to examine the stories in our head that stop us from being who we need to be.

The book and the movement reaches  beyond cultural boundaries and touches all generations. I do feel that, as Christian, I would add that God has a plan for each of our lives and we do let many things stop us from being who God wants us to be. Life has to approached with balance and wisdom but we can dream big and it's often in the process of pursuing a dream, whether you actually achieve the dream you started with, that you become who God means you to be and do what HE designed you to do.

See a brief video clip of the Change the World bus tour below and see Gina talking for yourself. Catch the dream, be inspired, make BIG things happen in your own life!

 

NEW Edition: Project You is Back at School!

Open publication - Free publishing - More back at school

GIVEAWAY: One Ticket to the Philadelphia Food & Wine Festival THIS WEEK!

Excitement is brewing over this year's Philadelphia Food & Wine Festival and I am both going AND giving away one ticket to one lucky winner who comments here. This is a quick and easy giveaway and I'll pick a winner Wednesday morning at 10 AM so you can plan your trip!

Here are some details for you:

Festival featuring more than 100 stations showcasing the finest foods, wines, ales, liquors and more from world renowned restaurants and brands, culinary demonstrations by celebrity chefs, beer and wine seminars that will both educate and delight, and more to be held at the Valley Forge Convention Center, from October 21st through October 23rd, 2011.

Showcasing an array of national and local culinary talent Ted Allen, host of Food Network's Chopped; Bravo Top Chef All Star, Mike Isabella; and Food Network Iron Chef Jose Garces.

Some of the highlights include:

• Grand Market, the focal point of the event featuring 3 days of a tasting frenzy. Stroll the aisles and sample food and wine from local, regional and national Food Purveyors.

• VIP Cocktail Party at the Bahama Breeze Island Grille in King of Prussia on Saturday, October 22nd at 7:00 pm. Meet and mingle with the chefs while you enjoy complimentary beer, wines, and hors d'oeuvres.

• Chefs on Stage series featuring Ted Allen, Mike Isabella and Jose Garces.

• Live culinary demonstrations throughout the three-day festival from national and local culinary talent.

• Special appearance by legendary Alaskan Crabber Russell Newberry of “Dangerous Deckhands”

• Wine Seminars by the "Wine-tertainer,” Philip Silverstone and Pinot Boutique

• Beer Seminars by award winning author and host of Still Crazy after All These Beers, Gary Monterosso

The Festival runs from Friday, October 21st from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday, October 22nd from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday, October 23rd from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Tickets for the 2011 Philadelphia Food & Wine Festival are available starting at only $30 in advance ($40 at the door). Children 6-12 are $5. Children under 6 are free. Seminars, Chefs on Stage series and VIP Cocktail Party are additional. Tickets for all events can be purchased online at http://www.gourmetshows.com/philly2011/

And, if you don't win, use the coupon code “FOODIE” to receive 10% off the ticket price. Bring a friend!

Twitter: FoodandWineShow
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/PhilaFoodandWineFest

Comment NOW for a chance to win!

Do you have Blog FOG?

Are you suffering BLOG fog? Too much to think about, too little time to implement to make it worth it? (I worked hard on that line. Don’t laugh.)

Our one day seminar Be There Online is aimed at making you not only a better blogger but one who can MAKE MONEY at it! Everyone wants that job they can do from home. No, blogging isn’t necessarily that end all, be all easy go-to answer for moms today but it can be a critical tool for you to reach the many, many people with buying power who are spending their time online.

Disclosure: This event NOT about walking away with as much swag as you can fit in your arms. It IS about getting the knowledge you need to take your blog to the money making a level, information that will last you a lot longer! And, you don’t have to fly anywhere to get it. This is a no-frills, knowledge based event that YES, you can write off on your taxes for training.

And, as the market gets saturated, your message and your acre on the Internet needs to stand out above the rest.

At our conference, we have REAL LIFE instructors waiting to take you to the next level. You don’t have to wait on an email response or the next webinar to come out. You can ask questions right there and then and get the help you need to make it happen. And you can get their information to reach them directly after the conference and get even MORE help.

Use HALF for 50% off the business and non-profit price! http://bethereonline.org/registration/

We are also offering discount codes as fundraisers if you have a group that you want to send out 50% off codes and get $20 back to spend on WHATEVER you want to! Email me for more information.

Date: Monday, November 7th, 2011

Take your bloggy business serious! Invest in yourself today!

For more information, email Sarah Peppel or Debbie Bookstaber at info@bethereonline.org.
Thank you!

Sarah

REGISTER TODAY! 50% off with Discount Code: HALF

EzyRoller for Teens

When I got the EzyRoller, I wondered if my 13-yr-old would be able to enjoy this low-to-the-ground toy. The instructions say it spans the ages but also gives a number of warnings about when and where to NOT use this toy - like NO SLOPES.

Unfortunately, we live on a hill and I found out quickly that my daughter immediately jumped to the conclusion - let's try this in the street where I can really get it moving. Kids love speed.

In fact, our first attempt at a video showed my daughter zooming right into the street with no helmet and then zigzagging in slow Zs down the road in a way that looked very fun but very unsafe since this is hard to see by cars.

Because we live on a hill, I allowed her to try it again - WITH a helmet and on the sidewalk of our street. That's the video you see below.

Again, the ideal use would be a large flat parking lot (without cars) or perhaps a playground or in a gym. Younger kids could even use this around the house.

In a group setting, you can do a lot of fun things with several EzyRollers and even create games among kids among the kids.

Here's a game I found on the website:

The simplest and still super exciting: EzySlalom and Agility.
What you need:
A large flat area (tennis court, sports ground...)
Some plots (sports cones, balls...) for the course
A chronometer to time your mates

What to do:
1) Place the cones on the ground and set a start/finish line
2) Place yourself behind the start line
3) Slalom between the obstacles without touching them
4) the winner is the one that is fastest at crossing the line without touching the obstacles. Depending on the difficulty
of the course you can think of penalties for touching the obstacles

How to improve: Find the best trajectory first before focusing on speed

See here for more ideas!

But, in all your activities, REMEMBER: This is not something for street use. That said, it can still be lots of fun.

 {Disclosure: I was not paid for this promotion but we did receive one EzyRoller to keep to try for this review.}

CLOSED: GIVEAWAY: The Rice Krispies Spooky Fall Challenge is On Plus $100 Giveaway!

In our third Rice Krispies Challenge this year, we were told we need to create a fun and creative recipe with a spooky theme that brings together kids and parents making crafty cereal fun. We looked over the Halloween treats already featured on the Rice Krispies website and then decided to come up with something completely new!

[We are also giving out another $100 gift card per participating blog! Scroll to the bottom for details and to comment to win.]

We also checked out the competition already posting their awesome creations  in The Motherhood Circle (after our recipe was decided on)! Dang, you ladies are creative. Gorgeous work.

Zareen was our gracious team leader this time and had all the supplies ready so that as soon as we got there, we got to work! As we worked, tasted and crafted our surprise, Tara and I talked motorcycles since her husband owns a motorcycle supply website and my husband just bought a jacket for his riding hobby. I think I need a helmet with a face shield but that's another blogpost for another day.  . . .

Back to work. . . talk . . . work. . . talk . . .work. What a fun day with some lovely, lovely ladies!

Here we are creating the base of our spooky scene.

And, of course the unique recipe for our challenge:

Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats – Haunted Pumpkin Patch

Base Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (8 TBS)  butter or margarine
• 1 ¼ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 package(about 40) + 10 regular marshmallows
• 2 TBS Pumpkin Puree
• 7 cups   Rice Krispies

Directions

1.       In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Stirring frequently. Butter will foam and then the foam will subside. Brown bits will begin to form at the bottom. Keep stirring. You will smell a nutty aroma and the butter will be lightly brown. Off the heat.

2.       Stir in pumpkin pie spice until incorporated. Add marshmallows and stir. Put the heat back on low and stir until marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat.

3.       Stir in pumpkin puree and two drops of red food coloring and 3-4 drops of yellow food coloring (to make desired orange color).

4.       Mix in Rice Krispies until they are fully coated with marshmallow mixture. Turn out onto a wax paper lined baking sheet.

 

To Make Pumpkins:

Ingredients:

• One batch Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats.
• Small Pretzel Sticks
• Green Icing tube with Leaf tip.

Directions:

1.       Allow Rice Krispies Treats to cool for a bit.

2.       Shape into round balls. Insert a 1/3 of a pretzel stick into the tops to act as a pumpkin stem.

3.       Use green icing and an leaf tip to create a small green leaf on the side of the “stem.”

 

To Assemble Haunted Pumpkin Patch:

Ingredients:

• 2 batches of Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats
• 1 batch Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats made into Pumpkins
• 1 can Chocolate Frosting
• 2-3 cups Chocolate Cookie Crumbs (crumble plain chocolate cookies in a food processor or blender)
• 1 bag Marshmallows
• 1 bag Pretzel Sticks
• 2 -3 sticks of Black Twizzlers
• 1/3 cup Reeces Pieces
• Peeps Marshmallow Ghosts, assorted miniature Halloween signs, tomb stones, zombies, bats, spiders , ghosts from a craft store for decorating

 

Directions:

1.       Spread a baking sheet with wax paper and spray with cooking spray.  Make 2 batches of Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats and spread out onto baking sheet evenly. Once cooled completely turn over onto  a platter or tray.

2.       Frost Treats with chocolate frosting and cover with cookie crumbs (for dirt).

3.       Create a “fence” around Treats by taking 2 Marshmallows and connecting them with 2 parallel pretzel sticks. Continue to join pretzels sticks and Marshmallows until the fence goes around the tray of Rice Krispies Treats. Adhere the marshmallows to the chocolate frosting.

4.       Make a “path across the middle of the Treats (vertically) with Reeces Pieces.

5.       Cut the tops of the Twizzlers down in thin strips to make tree branches and cut them slightly at the bottom (to make roots) and adhere into the frosting for spooky trees.

6.       Scatter the Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treat Pumpkins around the “pumpkin patch.”

7.       Decorate with marshmallow ghosts and store bought spooky creatures and signs.

 And, more pictures of the creative process:

And the final scene: a spooky Rice Krispies pumpkin treat patch for all to enjoy with a plate of extra pumpkins and ghost marshmallows on the side!

Up close on our pumpkin patch and treats:

Yummo!!

 

{Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in cooperation with a promotion through Kellogg's Rice Krispies and The Motherhood. All thoughts and opinions are my own.}

$100 Gift Card Contest:

COMMENT HERE for a chance to win! Facebook, Tweet or Subscribe for more chances and come back here to enter each thing you did.

Abbreviated Rules: No Purchase Necessary. Begins no earlier than 12:00:00 AM (ET) on 9/15/11 and ends no later than 11:59:59 PM (ET) on 10/26/11. For complete Official Rules, go to ( http://web.mediacdt.com/docs/BloggerRulesHalloween.pdf ). Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: The Motherhood; www.TheMotherhood.com.

Disclosure: This is part of a paid campaign sponsored by the makers of Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal ®, TM, © 2011 Kellogg NA Co.

Additional participating blogs can be found listed on The Motherhood for more chances to win!

 

GIVEAWAY: 20 Pairs of Guaranteed Free Screening Tickets to Johnny English Reborn

Comment here for a chance to go and take a friend to a free screening of Johnny English Reborn on Saturday, October 15^th at 10AM at the Rave University City 6 in Philadelphia, PA.

I have 20 admit TWO tickets but I can give you two tickets for a family 4 pack if you let me know early enough! Deadline to enter: Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

Synopsis:

Rowan Atkinson returns to the role of the improbable secret agent who doesn't know fear or danger in the comedy spy-thriller Johnny English Reborn. In his latest adventure, the most unlikely intelligence officer in Her Majesty's Secret Service must stop a group of international assassins before they eliminate a world leader and cause global chaos.

In the years since MI7's top spy vanished off the grid, he has been honing his unique skills in a remote region of Asia. But when his agency superiors learn of an attempt against the Chinese premier's life, they must hunt down the highly unorthodox agent. Now that the world needs him once again, Johnny English is back in action.

With one shot at redemption, he must employ the latest in hi-tech gadgets to unravel a web of conspiracy that runs throughout the KGB, CIA and even MI7. With mere days until a heads of state conference, one man must use every trick in his playbook to protect us all. For Johnny English, disaster may be an option, but failure never is.

Website: <http://www.johnnyenglishreborn.com/> 

GIVEAWAY: Cirque Du Soleil Quidam Family 4 pack

 
This week I am giving away a family 4 pack to Cirque Du Soleil's amazing performance Quidam which will be in Philadephia on November 10-13, 2011.

Show Description:
Young Zoé is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world—the world of Quidam — where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past and swallowed by the crowd. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming or going at the heart of our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the “quidam” whom this show allows to speak. This is the place that beckons—a place for dreaming and genuine relations where all quidams, by proclaiming their individuality, can finally emerge from anonymity.

• Simply comment here for a chance to win.
• Tweet, Facebook and subscribe for more chances to win and come back here and let me know you did each in separate comments.
• Contest will be running through October 20th.
• If you don't win, you can still buy Family 4 pk tickets through clicking Quidam!

 

And, if you don't win, you can still get a Family 4 Pack Discount!

 Click Here to save up to $48 by purchasing a Cirque du Soleil Family 4-Pack (2 adults, 2 children)*!

{Disclosure: I did receive a family 4 pack for me and my family to enjoy!}

 

CLOSED: GIVEAWAY: Blu-Ray & DVD Combo Packs of Disney's African Cats and The Lion King

This is a quick and easy giveaway! Comment here to win one of each of the following Blu-Ray Combo Packs. I have several sets to give away.

Contest extends through Friday, October 5. Winners will be notified individually and an address will be requested for shipment!

The Lion King:

An unforgettable story, breathtaking animation, beloved characters, and Academy Award(R)-winning music (Best Original Score, 1994; Best Song, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight") set the stage for the adventures of Simba, the feisty lion cub who "just can't wait to be king." But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba's exile from the kingdom. Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warmhearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of "Hakuna Matata," Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the "Circle of Life." Now extensively restored and remastered -- experience THE LION KING like never before, from its magnificent musical opening over breathtaking African vistas to its emotional climax. The all-star vocal talents -- including Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella -- rip-roaring comedy, and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty, and hope make this timeless tale entertainment for all ages.

 

African Cats:

From Disneynature, the studio that brought you EARTH and OCEANS, comes the epic journey AFRICAN CATS. Set against one of the wildest places on Earth, you'll experience the extraordinary adventure of two families as they strive to make a home in an untamed land. Stunning high-definition images take your breath away as you come face-to-face with these majestic kings of the savanna and their true-life love, humor and determination. Blending family bonds with the power and majesty of the wild, it's an exciting, awe-inspiring experience that will touch your heart.