Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

This is a super fun giveaway for something I have always wanted to do!

Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching in Dana Point offers year-round whale watching trips that depart daily.   I asked the representative to tell me a little more about this adventure, and here is what she said:

“We are right smack in the middle of Gray Whale season (which goes through the end of April) and we have been having some AWESOME sightings! We’re seeing whales daily!

Each winter, the Pacific Gray Whales pass by Dana Point and many believe that Dana Point is a landmark on their journey. After spending the summer feeding in the food-rich waters of the arctic, the Grays swim south along the coast to the bays of Baja California, where they mate and nurse their young.   Along the way they pass Dana Wharf, where you can witness the annual winter journey.

Sightings are guaranteed, so if you don’t see any whales or dolphin, you get a ticket to come back again for free!”

Tours depart daily at 10am, 12pm or 2pm and sunset excursions on Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 4pm – 6pm
Adults – $29
Kids (3 -12) – $19
Tickets are 1/2 price on Tuesdays!

Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets online!

Hooray! It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching is giving away 4 free tickets for a whale watching excursion!  To enter, do the following and PLEASE leave a separate comment for each entry!

1. Simply leave a comment below! – 1 ENTRY

2. Become a Tiny Oranges Facebook Fan – 1 ENTRY

3. Become a Dana Wharf Sportfishing Fan – 1 ENTRY

4. Follow me on Twitter! – 1 ENTRY

5. Subscribe to Tiny Oranges email updates (top right column) – 1 ENTRY

6. Register in the Forum and add a new topic or respond to an existing one! – 1 ENTRY

Have your entries in before 12pm PST on 3/18/10.  Good luck!

I haven’t posted a recipe in forever so I thought this one sounded good & healthy!  My friend Jenny sent it to me, it is one of her favs.  You can find this yummy recipe (and image) on Epicurious.com.

Baked Halibut with Orzo, Spinach & Cherry Tomatoes

(Makes 2 servings)

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 – 6 to 7-ounce halibut fillets
1 cup orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups (packed) baby spinach
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Whisk 2 tablespoons oil and lemon juice in bowl; season dressing with salt and pepper.
3. Place halibut on rimmed baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with some of dressing.
4. Bake until just opaque in center, about 12 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large saucepan of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite; drain.
6. Add 2 tablespoons oil and garlic to same saucepan; sauté over medium heat 1 minute.
7. Add drained pasta, spinach, and tomatoes; stir to coat.
8. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
9. Cover; let stand 1 minute (spinach will wilt).
10. Divide pasta between 2 plates.
11. Top with halibut and remaining dressing.

Have a good and easy recipe to share?  Shoot me an email to jennifer@tinyoranges.com.   Click HERE for more recipes on Tiny Oranges!

If you are looking for cute  headbands, flowers, bows or barrettes  to match your little bunny’s Easter dress this year, you MUST hop on over to check out Suddenly Stepford!

And, Allie the owner has extended a special offer for Tiny Oranges readers for FREE SHIPPING on all orders through April 13th, 2010!

Simply enter “Tiny Oranges” in the coupon prompt after you have placed your order in the shopping cart.

She has the CUTEST hair accessories for little girls.  Darling flowers in all different colors, headbands, barrettes and lots of designs with sparkle and bling.

She also has fabulous “Booby Bandit” nursing covers and burpies.   They all make for great gifts, so buy now  and save with no shipping fee. Click HERE to shop!

{Suddenly Stepford is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor}

We’re kicking off the week with a fabulous giveaway!  Elsie, the owner of Precious Hand/Footprints in Mission Viejo is giving away $100 to be used towards her darling ceramic impressions this week!   Make sure to read below on how to enter and if you end up going to see Elsie and doing an impression, make sure to mention Tiny Oranges and you will receive a free mini keepsake!  Click HERE to see the details on the special offer.

Making a ceramic impression of your kid’s  hand or footprint is the most priceless keepsake! Precious Hand/Footprints has been doing ceramic impressions in Orange County for almost 20 years.

Elsie did an impression plate for me with both of my girl’s handprints back in November. I absolutely adore it and LOVE that I was able to capture their hands at that moment in time.  The way they are situated on the plate looks like they are holding hands. I smile every time I see it hanging in Morgan’s nursery.

It was hard for me to pick which design I wanted to do because they were all so cute! But Elsie helped me design the perfect one using elements of some of my favorites displayed in her studio. Keep this in mind for Christmas ornaments too!  I have done handprint ornaments every year and given them to the grandparents too.   Huge hit!

Since Mother’s Day is RIGHT around the corner this would make a perfect gift for yourself (forward to your hubby’s ladies!) or grandmother. The deadline for Mother’s Day orders is 3/31/10 so make sure to get in to see Elsie this month!

Hooray!  It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive $100 to spend at Precious Hand/Footprints!  To enter, do the following (up to 5 entries possible!)  Please leave a separate comment for each of the below!

1. Simply leave a comment and tell me your favorite product! – 1 ENTRY
2. Become a Tiny Oranges Facebook Fan – 1 ENTRY
3. Follow me on Twitter! – 1 ENTRY
4. Subscribe to Tiny Oranges email updates (top right column) – 1 ENTRY
5. Register in the Forum and add a new topic or respond to an existing one! – 1 ENTRY

Contest runs all week, through 12pm on 3/14/10.  Good luck!

Precious Hand/Footprints
28362 Marguerite Pkwy Suite #4
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
949-364-3659
www.precioushandfootprints.com

{Precious Hand/Footprints is a Tiny Oranges Sp0nsor}

Congratulations the winner of the tj&co $75 gift cards are….Fab AND Angela!  Lucky ladies! Enjoy!

T.G.I.F. Mamas!  I hope it’s been a great week for you!  I have yet another fun giveaway today sponsored by a fabulous website called Momologie.  Check below on how you can enter to win!

Every mom needs to check out and sign up for Momologie.com! The free daily e-mail is filled with the latest scoop on style, food, home, organizing, holidays, parties and travel.  It’s like getting what you love most about your favorite lifestyle in little nuggets you can actually read.

Their recent article on “Power Up Your Family” caught my eye as I am ALWAYS on the search for healthy snack options.  The site has seriously great ideas.

Momologie is sponsoring a fun giveaway this week!

They are giving away one cozy blankie in the winner’s choice.  Either this lovely pale aqua blue Alphabet Chenille Blanket or this Blossom Wavy Knit Blanket.

All you have to do to enter is CLICK HERE AND SIGN UP for their email!

You can sign up all week, just have your entries (one per person!) in before 12pm PST on Thursday, 03/11/10.  Just for fun, leave a comment below and share which one you would pick!

Have a great weekend everyone!  See you on Monday!