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Let's Chat!

Vineyard Chats is a blog created by the owner of Vineyard Farms and Vineyard Real Estate Group. Here, you will find product reviews for local and international items, and ways to give in your community and across the globe!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

From My Mama's Kitchen, by Johnny Tan

From My Mama's Kitchen by Johnny Tan
When you think of a Mother, what do you think of?  If you ARE a mother, what words would you hope your children would use to describe you?
Loving, helpful, faithful, sincere, encouraging, sweet, self-sacrificing, trufhful, God-fearing, bold, insightful, descretionary, one-of-a-kind, true, protective, open, trusting, unfailing, caring, comforting, honest... the list could go on forever!

Johnny has had a unique experience from being adopted, and then "adopting" even more moms (for a total of NINE MOMS!!) in his journey of life!

You will find a little bit of everything in "From My Mama's Kitchen."  It is a book of encouragement for mothers, a book of love and remembrance for children, and soul food for every one else!

You can read other reviews for this book on Amazon, HERE.
You can buy this book HERE!

This is a little bit about the author, Johnny Tan:

Like a pot of the famous Louisiana gumbo, Johnny Tan’s life has been richly flavored over the years by his nine moms.

In April of 2007, Johnny began recording the various heart-felt memories and words of wisdom expressed and felt in the kitchen setting. The result is From My Mama’s Kitchen – “food for the soul, recipes for living.”

Adopted at birth in Malaysia, Johnny Tan came to the United States in 1980 to attend college at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Here, he began a journey that led him into crossing paths with various women he admiringly referred to as Mom. It is the inspiration, support and life skills that Johnny received from his moms that have guided him towards his pursuit for personal excellence.

After college, Johnny worked in the restaurant industry for 18 years. He retired from a successful career as Chief Operating Officer in 2001, to begin a new vocation of running his own business.

Living by his very own personal vision and mission statement, Johnny continually uses his gift of creativity to enrich the lives of those who know him and for his community through his fellowship and leadership ability.

Johnny is also an accomplished amateur ballroom dancer. He has performed with his dance partners for more than 10 years at various ballroom and charity events in Louisiana and Texas.

He currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

Check out his website HERE, and listen to his radio show HERE!

I hope you enjoy Johnny Tan's work as much as I have!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

LOST t-shirt by SlothArt!!


The moment I saw SlothArt's LOST t-shirts, I knew I wanted to review one!  This is a picture of my husband wearing his...

I contacted Allan through his Etsy site, and heard back from him instantly!  His communication is impeccable, and he responds personally in email to my inquiries.  I love great customer service!!

SlothArt has an amazing collection of vintage cameras, photography and t-shirts!  Browse through the SlothArt site, and take a look at this very cool collection!

Here are some other items listed on his site:
"Hand of God" 5x7 Fine Art Print:

The 1923 Pathex 9.5mm Film Camera:

You've got to visit this site!  It is so fun to see what SlothArt has available.  It is definitely not your ordinary Etsy site!

The LOST t-shirt SlothArt sent us is VERY comfortable, and the lettering is not the cheap kind that peels off after you wear the shirt a couple of times.  I know, because my husband has worn this shirt multiple times since it arrived- he loves it!
He gets comments on it everywhere he goes- people get a real kick out of it.

SlothArt is giving away to one lucky reader of Mingle Over Mocha a LOST t-shirt!!
To enter, please do any or all of the following items. The "Mandatory" item(s) must be completed before getting any additional credits from the "Optional for Extra Credit" section.

Mandatory:

• Visit the SlothArt site by clicking HERE, and leave a comment (BE SURE to include your email address in case you win!!  Sometimes, people never get their prize, because I can't find their email address!!) telling me what you love the most!

Optional for Extra Credit:

• Subscribe to this blog HERE, and comment that you do.
• Follow this blog HERE, and comment that you do.
• Follow SlothArt on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Fan the SlothArt Facebook page by clicking HERE.
• Post about this giveaway on your blog, and comment with a link to the post!
• Digg this post by clicking HERE!
• Become a fan of this blog on Facebook by clicking HERE, and comment that you do.
• Email this contest out to your friends, and copy me on it at vaagen@bellsouth.net  
• Follow me on Twitter HERE and ReTweet THIS.   Comment below that you did! You can retweet this contest every day for extra entries- simply leave a comment each time you tweet!
• Invite friends to follow Mingle Over Mocha on Facebook, and comment that you did!

The winner will be chosen by random drawing on http://www.random.org/integers/ on Saturday, June 19th at 6pm... Just in time for FATHER'S DAY!! Good luck!

Thank you to SlothArt for donating the free LOST t-shirt for my review!! I was not compensated monetarily for this review, or for any reviews or giveaways on my blog site. All reviews are provided after I receive a free or donated product from the publisher, manufacturer, or PR company. Reviews are written from an unbiased point of view. Only business relationships exist with those who provide products for review. The Author of Mingle Over Mocha is not responsible for your difference in opinion or happiness with this product, or your safety when using this product.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

My Daddy is a Soldier by Anne M. Stratford

My Daddy is a Soldier, by Anne M. Stratford


I definitely have a heart for our military families.  They make sacrifices on a daily basis that most of us cannot imagine.  While my husband's cousin was serving his most recent of multiple deployments to Iraq, his wife's grandfather died, his son graduated, and his family endured a gas leak at their residence.  Throughout all of these major events, he couldn't just come home and help- he was serving his country.

This isn't an isolated incident- it happens every day.  Wives pick up the pieces while their husbands are gone for months at a time.  Children across the US are without their fathers and mothers who are serving our country.  Yet many of us don't stop to consider how life-altering a parent being gone can really be to a child.

Anne M. Stratford has written a beautiful book to help the children of our soldiers.

My Daddy is a Soldier is a one-of-a-kind, heart tugging book that is beautifully illustrated, and covers all of the emotions that a child must go through while his or her parent is serving our country.  In the book, the child feels a sense of pride, a great deal of sadness, and shows his bravery while his father is overseas.  The resounding theme throughout, "I CAN DO IT!" help a child to keep his head up while his mother or father are serving our country.

As I read the book to my children, they all had to look "one more time" at all the pictures throughout the book.  It is very well illustrated- the pictures are wonderful.  Like many children's books, the pages rhyme, helping to keep the child's attention. 

About the Author
Anne M. Stratford had a successful sales career, and finally left it at the age of 41 to pursue her life-long dream of writing children's books.  This is the first of what I hope to be MANY that she will write!  We truly enjoyed this book.

How to purchase this book
This book retails for $17.99, and exceptional value considering the detail of this hard bound book.  You can buy it HERE for the special child in your life!

How to WIN this book
One lucky reader will win a copy through Mingle Over Mocha!
To enter, please do any or all of the following items. The "Mandatory" item(s) must be completed before getting any additional credits from the "Optional for Extra Credit" section.

Mandatory:

• Visit Anne M. Stratford's site by clicking HERE, and leave a comment (BE SURE to include your email address in case you win!!  Sometimes, people never get their prize, because I can't find their email address!!) telling me what you love the most!

Optional for Extra Credit:

• Subscribe to this blog HERE, and comment that you do.
• Follow this blog HERE, and comment that you do.
• Post about this giveaway on your blog, and comment with a link to the post!
• Digg this post by clicking HERE!
• Become a fan of this blog on Facebook by clicking HERE, and comment that you do.
• Email this contest out to your friends, and copy me on it at vaagen@bellsouth.net  
• Follow me on Twitter HERE and ReTweet this: "I would love to WIN a copy of Anne M. Stratford's book "My Daddy is a Soldier" on @vaagen's blog at http://www.mingleovermocha.com/!"   Comment below that you did! You can retweet this contest every day for extra entries- simply leave a comment each time you tweet!
• Invite friends to follow Mingle Over Mocha on Facebook, and comment that you did!

The winner will be chosen by random drawing on http://www.random.org/integers/ on Saturday, June 19th at 6pm... Just in time for FATHER'S DAY!! Good luck!

Thank you to Anne M. Stratford for donating the free copy of her book for my review!! I was not compensated monetarily for this review, or for any reviews or giveaways on my blog site. All reviews are provided after I receive a free or donated product from the publisher, manufacturer, or PR company. Reviews are written from an unbiased point of view. Only business relationships exist with those who provide products for review. The Author of Mingle Over Mocha is not responsible for your difference in opinion or happiness with this product, or your safety when using this product.

BEST GIFTS FOR FATHER'S DAY 2010

Hi Everyone!
Welcome to
The Best Gifts for Father's Day 2010!
I will begin posting items I have discovered, or am giving away, today!  The contests will end the day before Father's Day, June 19th, 2010.

Good luck!