A New Flavour at KFC Today! #sweetchilicrunch

I'm not the greatest cook in the world.  I have always loved to bake, but when it comes to cooking on a regular basis, I'm all about fast and easy!  I do like to make more "special meals" sometimes, but definitely not daily. So, when our family has a really busy day or nobody feels like cooking, I am more than happy to have a "take-out" night!  While I totally support dinners around the kitchen table and lots of talk and interaction, on those take-out nights, we love to set up the kids' table in the living room so that we can all watch a movie, eat, and relax together!  Everyone's happy with a take-out  night!

While we're on the subject of take-out, let me tell you what I did last Thursday!

I had the opportunity to visit KFC's test kitchen with 6 other bloggers.  We were invited there to find out about a new flavour they're releasing (today!) for their bone-in chicken.  This is the first time they've done that in Canada in 6 years!  The flavour is called Sweet Chili Crunch, and we joined their Research and Development Manager (aka "Chief Food Genie", a title that totally suits such a fun and energetic woman who can work magic in a kitchen!) to learn how to make it ourselves!  (See that photo at the top of the post?  I made that chicken myself!)

Here's our group:

You can tell which of us are bloggers because we're wearing KFC hats ;)

Bloggers in the Back Row: Marya, Vinma, Meri, Cyn, Me 

Bloggers in the Front Row: Elizabeth, Deborah

That's the "Chief Food Genie" herself, right there in front wearing the chili hat ;)

When we first arrived, we learned a bit about KFC's cooks' commitment to making the world's most famous chicken recipe "the hard way".  Any misconceptions any of us had about where they get their chicken or how it is made were quickly dispelled and I was very impressed!  They really do make it the "hard way"!

Did you know they hand-bread their chicken right in the restaurant?  Did you know they marinate it for 12 hours before doing so?  Their cooks go through quite a training and although we didn't quite go through the whole process, we did get certified in Sweet Chili Crunch!

It was an eye-opening experience to get to make the chicken myself!  I have new-found respect for anyone who works at KFC!  Below, you can see me breading the chicken, a shot of how the chicken looks right after frying, and a lovely close-up of yours truly, drizzling on the sauce.

As soon as we finished making our chicken, we all gathered for lunch and got to sample it!  That's when I got the photo at the top of this post (which makes my mouth water when I look at it!).  

Now, about tasting the chicken... I admit that I was a little nervous about tasting a new flavour that was described with the word "chili", because I'm not a big fan of spicy hot flavours!  I'm happy to report though that this flavour can accurately be described as "sweet, with a touch of heat".  My mouth was NOT on fire.  I felt the heat, but I could definitely taste the sweet as well, and I really liked it!  If you've got young kids who may not like the heat, you can always mix-and-match the new flavour with the original recipe in any bucket for free!

The Sweet Chili Crunch flavour is only available for a limited time, so try it while it's here!  The flavour is out today and this promotion ends on November 23rd.

Disclosure: I am part of the KFC Sweet Chili Crunch Kitchen experience program with Mom Central Canada and YUM Brands and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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Our Summer Bucket List and a Shutterfly Giveaway with #KFCBucketList

Every Year, I make a Summer Bucket List, with ideas (big and small) for things we want to do during the 2 months that the kids aren't in school. It's great for making sure we fit in some memorable activities, and for giving me ideas on those days when we wake up needing something fun to do. I make sure to include plenty of things that are easy to do, even if you haven't really planned for them!

I have just started to compile our 2014 Summer Bucket List, and here are some of the things on it:

1. Start the Summer off on the last day of school by having a Welcome to Summer! party in our backyard.


2. Participate in our Library's Summer Reading Program

3. Have Water Gun Target Practice in our backyard.


4. Camp in our backyard (the girls have been wanting to go camping since we went once as a family, but Ken can't bring himself to do it again haha.. maybe this is a good compromise ;)

5. Make Apple Marshmallow Smile Treats (something Katrina has remembered ever since we did it, and every now and then she asks about them- I need to get some marshmallows & make this happen again!


6. Pick Strawberries (something I remember doing as a child- I want to find a place to go and make it happen this year)

7. Have a water fight on a hot day, with water sponge bombs or water balloons.


8. There's a park that plays movies on a big screen outside and you can bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs and watch it for free. It's so fun! We went last year and I would love to go again this year.

9. Roast marshmallows at Ken's parents' house. I always think this is fun & the kids love it!


10. I want to try making roads for toy cars either indoors with masking tape or outdoors with sidewalk chalk- I've seen photos of this idea and I think the girls would love to create a little city!

11. The girls always have a blast helping dad wash the car, so that's something that's on our bucket list every year!


12. Last year we went to meet Daddy during his lunchtime and headed to a nearby park for a picnic. It was so nice! As you can see in the picture, the ducks joined us ;)


13. Last year's Summer Schedule worked really well, so I'm planning to use that again, to keep our more regular days (or at least the beginning of them) organized!


14. We try to go to the Palmyra Pageant every year (a tradition Ken's family had when he was growing up, and my family went a lot of years, too). We have traditional places that we visit each time we go, AND Ken proposed to me on one of those trips, so it's a special place for us! We've already got a hotel room booked, and we're excited!

15. There are lots of other things like going to the farmer's market, the splash park, flying a kite, using skipping ropes, riding bikes & scooters, going for walks, etc. that we will also do, and I've started a Summer Bucket List Pinterest Board to add more ideas to. I'm getting excited!

Do you have a Summer Bucket List?

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Speaking of Bucket Lists....

There is a  KFC Bucket List contest being held from May 12-June 15:

With the purchase of any bucket or combo (KFC has 12 piece buckets for only $14.99), you’ll receive a game card that gives you a 1 in 3 chance of winning.  Every bucket or combo ALSO has an instant peel and reveal food prize and a pin that you enter online (here) to reveal your prize. Every PIN is a WINNER!

Prizes:

•  3 - Grand Prizes of $10,000 to build your own dream vacation
•  5 - $5,000 Earth to Echo Adventures
•  5 - $10,000 Pepsi Dream Rooms
•  40 - $300 Try That Prizes
•  Over 3 Million Shutterfly Prizes
•  Over 1 Million Food Prizes

Giveaway!

You can enter to win a Shutterfly prizepack that includes a calendar, 15 free cards and a collage print!
Just fill out the form below!

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Disclosure: I am part of the KFC Bucket List Blogger Campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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A Blogger Conference & Thoughts on Connection (BConnected 2017)

My history with blogging goes way back:

I started a semi-private online journal in 2003 (which I still contribute to, for my own records). My first public blog was created in 2007 (not long after helping another photographer to shoot my 1st wedding), to share my photography journey with friends and eventually clients. When Talia was a toddler and Katrina just 9 months old, I started Raising Memories in 2009 with the goal of motivating myself to do fun things with my kids.

7 years ago, it hadn't even occurred to me that I could monetize or grow this blog to what it is today! I can remember the first email I received from a company that wanted to partner with me. I thought it was some kind of scam at first! This blog has come a long way since then and I truly love what I do.

Some things I see as milestones in this blogging journey of mine were a couple of campaigns I worked on that involved getting together with other bloggers. In 2014 I worked on a campaign with Nikon and met several bloggers who I still keep in touch with now. Several months later I was a part of a campaign with KFC where I met more bloggers and heard them talking about blog conferences they had attended. At the time, I just wasn't willing to put money into my blog beyond what I absolutely had to (like paying yearly fees to own "raisingmemories.com"), but that little conversation was like a seed planted for something that finally bloomed this weekend. ;)

My First Blogger Conference

A year ago, a bunch of my "blog friends" attended a conference in Ottawa. I couldn't make it work, but I made myself a promise that when that conference came to Toronto, I was going to make it happen. This past weekend, the BConnected Conference came to Toronto and I was there with ticket in hand. :)

All photos shared in this post were taken by Mostafa Photography (unless otherwise noted)

October 2014 Sharing Time & Giveaway- Week 4

Welcome to October's Sharing Time Linky!
I'm excited to see Thanksgiving and Halloween themed posts being shared!
First, our week in review:

This week I shared my experience at the KFC Kitchen and their new flavour, sweet chili crunch!

I also posted a book review of Visions of Hope.

And shared our new Chore/Reward System



I have Three Giveaways at the bottom of this post,
so don't miss them!

Now, on to the link party- I can't wait to see what you share! :)

Please join the Raising Memories Sharing Time & add a link to your latest and greatest blog posts
about activities to do with your children or fun projects that you have done!

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If you're participating, please share the button on your blog & "hop over" to at least one other blog post that's been linked up- let's support each other!

<a href="http://http://www.RaisingMemories.com/" target="_blank"&_blank"><img src="http://oi43.tinypic.com/10gbrwy.jpg"/></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Giveaways:

Saints & Soldiers: The Void DVD

On a final mission deep in the Harz mountains a U.S. tank crew discovers a platoon of Germans, including three infamous Panzer tanks, preparing to ambush allied supply trucks.
Before the war, Sergeant Jesse Owens, was a product of segregation and racial discrimination. Forced by law to ride in the back of the bus and disenfranchised from the political process. As the Germans bear down on the Americans, Owens fights the Axis powers for a freedom he and his fellow African American soldiers have never felt.With a deadly game of cat and mouse quickly unfolding, Owens and his predominantly white tank crew find themselves out-gunned and out-manned by the German Panzer tanks. Several in Owens’ crew are reluctant to put their faith in a black tank driver despite their dire circumstances. With tension and fear beginning to manifest Owens knows they must put aside their differences to stop the enemy from their deadly plan. Knowing that a victory over the Nazis means a victory for racial justice, Owens and his men find a way to work together to save hundreds of lives in a desperate battle against the greatest odds they have ever faced.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Where My Heart Belongs DVD by Gladys Knight

The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last fifty years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time Grammy Award-winner has earned number one hits in Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television, and live performance.
She returns in 2014 with an album that showcases her unmatched vocal ability on an enchanting mix of gospel and inspirational songs that are dear to her heart. She has said that faith in God has been the driving force behind all of her endeavors, guiding her through her many successes. On this gorgeous masterwork, she sings the songs of her heart like no one else can.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dining With the Prophets Cookbook

Take your family on a historical journey—by way of their taste buds! In this latest collection of recipes, the chefs at the Lion House step back in time to re-create favorite dishes enjoyed by the Presidents of the Church through the years. From Joseph Smith's Johnny Cakes to Spencer W. Kimball's Raspberry Cheesecake, from Lorenzo Snow's Yorshire Pudding to Thomas S. Monson's Swedish Meatballs, these recipes are a delight to share with family and friends. 

You'll also find a wonderful collection of old pioneer recipes, as well as a number of the Lion House's signature dishes, the same fare (including the legendary Lion House Dinner Rolls) served at receptions and dinners and in the Lion House Pantry for several decades. Portraits of all the Church Presidents, plus photos of many of the period artifacts displayed at the Lion House, make this one-of-a-kind cookbook a fascinating stroll through history that the whole family will enjoy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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