Blogging Mama

Total Pageviews

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

SimpleTaste Electric Milk Frother, Battery Powered

Copied text to clipboard:

I'm not quite sure what I did before this milk frother came into my life. I can whip up (literally) a batch of chocolate milk before the children start whining, it works great for scrambled eggs, and I can make coffee shop quality latte's right in my own kitchen. Also works great for mixing protein shakes and greens drinks. Doesn't take up much room on the counter and the batteries seem to last a long time without needing replacing. I love that it comes with batteries - this might just be the perfect gift for the hard to guy for person on your list.

#SimpleTasteElectricMilkFrotherOneTouchHandheldBatt

https://www.amazon.com/SimpleTaste-Electric-Frother-Handheld-Battery/dp/B01K6YLWQA/



Friday, November 25, 2016

5 Star Rated Watch!







Here's what I have to say about my fun new watch! Comfortable and stylish! Easy to read, set, (and clean)! Goes with any outfit. Suitable for men or women. It's just that nice size where it's not too huge for a woman to wear but not so tiny that a man might think it's dainty.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6USVK1

#mensleatherbandwatch







Monday, November 21, 2016

5 Star Product Review of Moni's Cozy Kitchen Kitchen Rules Glass Cutting Board by Moni's Cozy Kitchen





5 Star Product Review of Moni's Cozy Kitchen Kitchen Rules Glass Cutting Board
by Moni's Cozy Kitchen

This glass cutting board is super safe and I prefer using it instead of the wooden kind that can harbor germs. Not only that, but it's a nice size for food preparation as well as serving off of. My kids asked if daddy can put up some sort of holder so we can store it on the wall when not in use. I love the way it looks and all the great rules included on it. It's nice and solid though not terribly heavy. You can bet this will be getting a workout in 2 days when we have everyone over for thanksgiving!

http://www.amztk.com/krtop3

#kitchenrulesutilityboard

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Crystal Casavant-Otto Influencer Information

Hi! My name is Crystal Casavant-Otto. I run the page Lakeshore Baby Love as well as being an Amazon top reviewer, Tomoson Influencer, Influenster member, blogger, and busy mom of 4. I receive lots of offers to product test items ranging from soaps, lotions, and foods, to strollers, baby items, cloth diapers, jewelry, books, and flashlights. When people approach me, they understandably want to have all the information regarding my influence and my reach. I thought if I place those links right here on my blog, it will make it easier for all involved. So here goes:

Here is a link to my Tomoson profile - click here

Here is a link to my Influenster profile - click here

Here is the link to my Amazon reviewer profile - click here

Here is a link to my LinkedIn page - click here

Here is a link to my personal FB page - click here

Here is a link to my group FB page for Lakeshore Baby Love - click here

Here is a link to my group FB page for Relax Consulting - click here

Here is a link to the WOW! Women on Writing blog I write for - click here

Here is a link to my Instagram Account - click here

Here is a link to me on Twitter - click here

Here is a link to me on google plus - click here   and      click here

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to email me at: crystaljotto@gmail.com



Sunday, November 13, 2016

Lakeshore Baby Love's Cocoa with Santa 2016



Here’s your chance to gather with old friends and make some new ones while enjoying some seasonal smiles and refreshments.

Bring your little one(s) and your camera and snap a photo of the magical moment when your little one whispers in Santa’s ear.

Admission is free, but you are asked to bring (if you are able) a new, unwrapped toy that can be donated to the
Salvation Army toy drive.

When and Where?
Saturday, December 3rd 4-6pm
Jenn’s Java * 1124 Washington St * Manitowoc, WI 54220

Please thank our sponsors:
Cocoa—Jenn’s Java

Coffee & Cookies—Lakeshore BabyLove

Swag Bags, Entertainment, Refreshments, and Marketing—Mark & Crystal Otto Family Farm

Swag—Hip Peas, MotherLove Organic Products

***Please RSVP on the Lakeshore BabyLove FB page—the first 25 registrants will have a swag bag waiting for them the evening of the event!

Stay tuned to the event page for a complete list of participating sponsors!


Merry Christmas One and All!

Friday, November 11, 2016

Dear Bully,

My oldest has been bullied, and it was hard to hear the stories through the tears as she told us how the kids on the bus teased her about her weight, her hair, her clothes, our cows, and just about anything they could. It didn't have to make sense. It wasn't true. They just enjoyed her reaction. We turned to scripture for some guidance and I gave her the same advice my dad had given me: "Hey punkin' they are just jealous. Turn the other cheek."

After simultaneously reading Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult and watching the news coverage after Donald Trump's Election I made a facebook post about how emotionally drained all the anger and hate is making me feel. That bring me to this open letter to bullies.



Dear Bully,

For a moment you feel big because you make someone else feel small. When the moment ends you will go back to the emptiness that drove you here in the first place. I understand how helpless you must feel to crave the high that comes in that moment. Somewhere deep inside you must remember the loneliness you felt the first time someone made you feel not good enough. Take a moment and think back. You were undoubtedly looking around for someone to help. Someone to be your champion. That smile in the crowd, that person who would acknowledge your worth. Maybe for you, that person didn't step up. Maybe they were afraid.

Being the champion, the voice of those who have no voice, it's a choice. It's a choice to look injustice in the face and be the voice of change. If you had found your champion, would you still be a bully? If someone had filled your emotional cup, would you still be thirsty and filled with hate? Your emotional cup is empty. After making someone feel small, you gulp the dirty backwash from the cup and it is once again empty. Bullying is not a solution for your thirst and hate. Bullying is not going to help you find a champion and it in no way is going to help you become a champion.

Let me tell you what your emotional cup looks like if you are a champion. When you raise others up, your emotional cup is filled. It fills slowly at first, but as those who you have championed for become champions for others, it creates a ripple effect and before you know it, your cup overflows. You aren't a champion because it makes you feel good, but the high created in your heart when you see others succeed makes you crave something new. It makes you crave an opportunity to help the helpless. You want nothing more than to bring a smile to the face of a stranger. You create a culture for yourself in which you see so much good around you that you are smiling even on the rainiest days. When someone is scared or hurting and they are searching to room, you will be the one they are searching for. That high is different from what you feel when you make someone feel small. That high lasts all day.

Being a bully fills your cup for a moment. Being a champion fills your cup for a lifetime. Do you think you've gone down a path you can't turn from? Do you think it's too late for you to turn from your bullying to be a champion? Here's what God has to say to you:

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgive, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

It's not too late for you. It's not too late for any of us to say those two little words:

I'm Sorry

I am praying for you right now. I am praying that whatever hurt has driven you to where you are can be destroyed with the love I feel for you. I am here to tell you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that you can make a difference in the world. I am not going to stop praying for you. When you are ready for a champion, I want to be that person for you. I will be cheering you on and picking you up.

Love,
Crystal





Crystal is a church musician, babywearing mama (aka crunchy mama), business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Publicist with Dream of Things Publishing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin with her husband, four young children (Carmen 9, Andre 8, Breccan 3, and Delphine 1), two dogs, two rabbits, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, and over 230 Holsteins.


You can find Crystal riding unicorns, taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books, baby carriers, cloth diapers, and all sorts of other stuff at:http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/ and http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/


Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Organic Bamboo Muslin Swaddle Blanket (#NaniBearBlanket)



Please enjoy this 5 star review of Organic Bamboo Muslin Swaddle Blanket - Oversized 47 inches X 47 inches - Excellent Baby Shower Gift - Premium Breathable Receiving Blanket Such a lovely single layer swaddling blanket - very soft and breathable. Works great for snuggling but is light weight enough you can use it to cover a carseat or stroller to keep bugs or the sun away from baby too. Rolls up nicely and takes up very little room in the diaper bag. Washes well and dries quickly with no special instructions - you can just wash it with your other laundry (with all our muslin blankets, we avoid washing with anything velcro or sharp that might catch on it though). Simple pattern and design - very adorable. Comes packaged nice enough to give as a gift.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1E8NAR

#NaniBearBlanket

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

CiPU Spacious and Beautiful Diaper Bag!!!!





Before I tell you what I love about this diaper bag, I need to first explain who we are so you can understand some of the quirks of this review. I'm a busy mom of 4 (9,8,3,1) with a business and several part time jobs including taking care of my 4 month old niece and my friend's 1 year old. When I go somewhere, it's super important that I'm organized and have everything I need. Grocery shopping with 6 children (3 in cloth diapers) can be a simple task if you are prepared. It can also be a huge nightmare if you can't find something or have neglected to bring it along. This particular diaper bag offers a lot of features, plenty of room, a surface that easily wipes clean, and it comes with hooks so you don't take up valuable room in the cart or stroller (ie: you don't have your diaper bag IN the cart, it's hanging OFF of it - so it's easily accessible). There's a special compartment at the bottom of the diaper bag that is large enough to hold one or some of the following: mom's wallet, a few diapers, some burp rags, or a receiving blanket. There are plenty of different strap options too - so you can use it as a cross body bag if you are babywearing or have your hands full. It doesn't "scream" diaper bag - so if you want to use it as a purse or laptop bag you could easily do that as well. The pink lining is very sophisticated and luxurious!




I recently traveled out of town and was impressed that I was able to fit 3 days worth of cloth diapers in this diaper bag. It's great when a bag is this well thought out. Instead of packing 2 smaller bags when we go on an outing, I can just pack the CiPU bag and know I have everything we need for ALL the children! This set comes beautifully packaged in a pink bag with a cute little book/card - so if you're looking for a nice diaper bag to give as a gift, this could be direct shipped to someone and they'd know it was chosen with care!

http://www.amztk.com/diaper-bag


#CiPU

Heather Kaufman's "The Story People"



“Heather Kaufman’s debut book, The Story People, is full of fascinating characters whose voices you can hear in your mind. In fact, if I were walking down the street and passed Mrs. Gardner, I’d know her right away! The story sweeps you away to a land between reality and the imagination, perfectly mingling Kaufman’s superb storytelling skills with a strong message of encouragement for Christian life. I would recommend this book for anyone.”
—Sarah Baughman, author of the Regency Silhouettes series, deaconess, wife, and mom of four

cph.org/storypeople

Skin2Spirit Botanical Lip Gloss - Natural, Organic





If you're looking for a lip gloss made with natural botanicals, this is a great one! It goes on smooth, the color is vibrant and lasts a long time, and you can feel wonderful about the ingredients and the company! I recently went out of town on business and this was the only lip product I brought along. I find hotels to be very dry which sometimes causes lip chapping and with my Skin2Spirit gloss along, my lips stayed hydrated and unchapped as well as being glossy and pretty!

Amazon Link 


#Skin2SpiritBotanicalLipGloss

Monday, November 7, 2016

Mini Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker





I have been looking for a great sounding speaker I can enjoy out in our calf barn. Since the weather conditions are always changing in the barn (hot in the summer, cold in the winter, sometimes humid, sometimes wet, etc...)it is important for me to use and indoor/outdoor style speaker in that environment. I also want it to work wirelessly with my iphone and be easy to operate. That's exactly why I'm loving this particular speaker. I walk into the barn and my phone picks up the signal right away and connects without any trouble. The speaker stays charged for a long period of time and I go several days without having to plug it in. When I do charge it, it charges quickly. The sound quality is really impressive for being so small. I think I finally found "the one" that will work long term for me. This would be ideal for someone looking for something for their porch or patio as well as near a hot tub or swimming pool. You don't have to sacrifice sound quality for outdoor enjoyment!


Amazon Link


#MiniOutdoorBluetoothSpeakers

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Connecting to My Purpose - Dairy Girl Network Inaugural Convention

Brenda Gilbertson - Founder of the Dairy Girl Network
One of my favorite song lyrics is "God bless the broken road that led me straight to you" and I truly believe that life is a journey and not a destination. We joke here at the farm about the likelihood of me ending up a dairy farmer. Truthfully, we joke about most of my life and how it is nothing like I had planned. Funny thing is, I couldn't love it any more than I do. The business woman I once was is a far cry from the crunchy mom I now am and even more removed from my position as cow mom. I turned in my high heels in exchange for some cowboy boots and dressing up now means throwing on a clean pair of jeans.

I'm often asked what a typical day looks like. Farming is about as boring as chasing toddlers. You
never (and I mean NEVER) know what is going to happen next. Yes, the cows always need milking, the babies always need feeding, and if you like cleaning, there's never a lack of dirty somethings in need of cleaning or repair. Each day comes with it's own unique challenges and you get the pleasure of staring life and death right in the face. If you do it right, you'll find reasons to smile, laugh, and sometimes cry. Though never boring, farming can be lonely. Social media has been a huge connector for me.

I can log into social media and chat with other farm women, chat with my friends (old and new) and I don't have to rely on the cows to listen attentively when I get chatty. I joined the online facebook group for the Dairy Girl Network and they provided a huge support during times I wasn't quite sure about things. I didn't necessarily share a lot, but reading other people's posts provided me with a sense of belonging, I was over the moon excited when I was chosen to join the Press Core for the Inaugural Convention of this inspirational group.

Tami Smith - Dairy Producer; Williamsburg PA
Over the next few days/weeks/months I am going to share bits and pieces of my experience the the convention and as a dairy girl. I think it's important because so many people have no idea what it's like to be a farmer. I know that until I fell in love with Mr Otto I had never stepped foot in a barn. It's amazing to know all the behind the scenes information about where our food comes from. I'm also hoping that readers will find it encouraging to see the faces behind that gallon of milk you see at the grocery store.

The Diary Girl Network has allowed me to connect my old world with my new world. These women have inspired me to do more in my own operation but also in my community, and they've helped me see that I am capable of achieving so much more than I thought possible. Once person CAN make a difference, but an entire network of strong, passionate women can make a change. I hope you are as excited as I am about learning more about dairy!

Love,
Crystal

May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine, and purpose.


Huge thanks to the Dairy Girl Network Vision Sponsors and Sustaining Sponsors: 

Friday, November 4, 2016

Great Kids Snack Box - Review





I absolutely love the variety of this Great Kids Snack Box!  - the majority of the snacks included in our box are things I have never tried before.
I absolutely love the healthy theme of the snacks - they're not only tasty, but they are foods I can stand behind as a mom.
The brands that have been chosen for the boxes are wonderful - as I learned about each company and their mission/vision, I was impressed and plan to purchase more of many of the treats.
I'm planning on purchasing future boxes - not so much as a monthly subscription because with 4 children plus extras most days, it's just not feasible for us, but when my children have to bring a snack to school, I'll be ordering a box to send (avoiding the sugary cupcakes and traditional treats).
The company provides excellent customer service and I'm happy with the value and quality of the products.

http://www.greatsnackbox.com/GREAT-Kid…/gks-subscription.htm

#GreatKidsSnacks

Thursday, November 3, 2016

WOW! Book Blog Tour of Martha Conway's "Sugarland"


5 Star Book Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
I want to start by thanking WOW! Women on Writing for asking me to be part of this book blog tour of Martha Conway's jazz age mystery Sugarland. This was a fabulous read and absolutely deserving of 5 stars!

I was completely taken by the characters of Sugarland. They came to live so vividly you would have thought each one was written by the character themselves. I have no idea what it would be like to be a young black woman on a train during the early 1920's and yet the feelings Eve Riser was experiencing made my stomach knot up.

As a piano player I was excited about the accuracy of the musical references. Additionally, I said to my husband "Martha Conway must be an amazing historian" because she did such a fabulous job with each and every details of the jazz age. Nothing felt out of sync or out of place. As an author, she give you the details you need without any extra flowery page fillers.

I had no idea what was going to happen until the end and yet there wasn't a lot of violent details or gore - so I would feel comfortable having a younger tween read Sugarland as well. This comes to mind because my 9 year old who reads at a 7th grade level had asked if she could read my copy. It was a quick read and definitely kept me wanting more. However, I fell in love with the characters and would love a follow up to this book - I'd like to find out where these lovely people ended up.

Thank you Martha Conway for a delightful read. Your attention to detail and your lovely style was not wasted on this reader. I loved each and every page!



Official Book Summary:

Have you ever wished you could go back in time and experience another time, another place? Now's Sugarland, the winner of a Reader's Favorite Book Award, will whisk you away to Chicago to rub elbows with bootleggers, jazz musicians and more than one unsavory character!
your chance! Martha Conway's latest novel

Follow in the steps of talented young pianist Eve Riser who is caught in a drive-by shooting that kills the bootlegger standing next to her, she forms an unlikely friendship with the bootlegger’s sister, Lena. Eve is looking for her missing stepsister, a popular night club singer who has been missing since the shoot-out, and Lena wants to find out who killed her brother. Together these two women navigate the back alleys and jazz clubs of the Roaring Twenties, encountering charismatic managers, handsome musicians, and a mysterious gangster called the Walnut who seems to be the key to it all.

Hardcover: 314 pages (also available as paperback and e-book)
Publisher: Noontime Books (May 7, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0991618556
ISBN-13: 978-0991618552

Sugarland is available as a print and e-book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.


About the Author:

Martha Conway’s debut novel 12 Bliss Street (St. Martin’s Minotaur) was nominated for an Edgar Award while Thieving Forest won an Independent Publishers Book Award, the Laramie Award, a Reader’s Choice Award and the 2014 North American Book Award in Historical Fiction. Her short fiction has appeared in The Iowa Review, The Mississippi Review, The Quarterly, Folio, Puerto del Sol, Carolina Quarterly, and other publications.

She graduated from Vassar College and received her master’s degree in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She has reviewed fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle, The San Francisco Review of Books, and The Iowa Review. The recipient of a California Arts Council fellowship in Creative Writing, she has taught at UC Berkeley Extension and Stanford University’s Online Writers’ Studio.

Martha Conway's website: http://marthaconway.com/

Martha Conway's blog: http://marthaconway.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martha.conway.52

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marthamconway


----------Upcoming Blog Tour Dates

Thursday, November 3 @ Deal Sharing Aunt
Ready to snuggle up with a great book and a cup of cocoa? Read today's review of Martha Conway’s Sugarland.
http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com

Monday, November 7 @ Celtic Lady’s Reviews
Looking for a book to add to your TBR pile? Read today's review of Sugarland.
http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/

Keep up with blog stops and giveaways in real time by following r @WOWBlogTour on Twitter.

Get Involved!
If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of the upcoming WOW! Women on Writing touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email crystal@wow-womenonwriting.com
Hippie Crystal (fresh off her unicorn)



About Today's Reviewer:

Crystal is a church musician, babywearing mama (aka crunchy mama), business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Publicist with Dream of Things Publishing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin with her husband, four young children (Carmen 9, Andre 8, Breccan 3, and Delphine 1), two dogs, two rabbits, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, and over 230 Holsteins.

You can find Crystal riding unicorns, taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books, baby carriers, cloth diapers, and all sorts of other stuff at:http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/ and http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/