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Simple Father’s Day Game For the Non-Crafty Mamas

June 14, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

#spon: I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value.

Whenever a holiday is approaching, I always feel a special tug in my heart for the non-crafty mamas like me. Spend 30 seconds or so online and you’ll see at least one handmade idea that you feel pressure to create for the event. Let me be your measure of sanity amidst all of those DIY ideas.

No, you do not have to make a cake shaped like a tie and frosted with an intricate argyle pattern.

No, you do not have to create a 100 page scrapbook of every moment your husband has ever had with his children.

No, you don’t have to create one of those cute little coupon booklets for chores and such that everyone will do for dad. Ok, that’s not necessarily too hard on the crafty front, but think it through, sisters! Do you need MORE chores added to your To Do list?

So in this age where everything worth doing must be Instagram and Pinterest-worthy, what does the non-crafty mama do for her husband on Father’s Day?

I found something! It’s a very simple Father’s Day game modeled after The Newlywed Game. It comes with cute printables and the recommendation that you have everything laminated.

No, you don’t have to laminate it. I promise. 🙂

All I did was pull up the printable information on my Intel AIO computer and print it. Nope, not even in color! 🙂 My Intel AIO had the cute stuff on the screen printed out with just a few taps from my finger. Simple!

I also used my Intel AIO to play game show music for us while we answered the questions about Tim and while he wrote his answers down. The device is so easy to move all over the house and plopping it down on the floor next to us was easy. There are no cords to move, and you don’t even need a mouse. 🙂 We went with Jeopardy music while we contemplated deep questions, like what animal dad would be if he could be anything.

It was a fun game and gave s all plenty of laughs. And best of all, it didn’t stress me out one little bit. I let technology do the work for me, using my Intel AIO to find something EASY, make it even easier, and set it to music. 🙂

I hope this helps you let go of those pins you saved earlier with a bunch of stuff you don’t actually want to do. You’re welcome! 🙂

Hands-Free Help in the Kitchen with My Intel All-in-One

November 24, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

#spon: I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value.

Today I’ll be headed to the grocery store to purchase my list of ingredients needed for Thanksgiving. In anticipation of this large shopping event, I have been steadily working on cleaning out my pantry, my fridge and my freezer so that I have plenty of room for the dishes, as well as for the leftovers!

My Intel All-in-One has actually been perched on my kitchen counter for the entire weekend (and I have a small kitchen, so that’s really saying something that I let it stay there!). It’s SO portable, and with this particular device I’ve got a huge screen, which is like a desktop, but there’s no tower to tote around, which makes it like a laptop. I’ve been using it for pretty much every meal, looking up ideas (I LOVE searching by image!). Yesterday I was able to quickly find a way to put chicken thighs and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to use: chicken carnitas!

But wouldn’t you know it? During the process of making this recipe, I learned that I was all out of chili powder. I had Google at the ready just in case I needed to look something up while I was cooking. So without having to even touch my computer, I said, “Ok Google…chili powder substitute.”

My computer registered my voice and accurately recorded it as a query for Google. In just a few seconds I had my answer and was back on track with my recipe. That was awesome, friends! Now if only I could figure out how to get my All-in-One to chop vegetables…

If you are also trying to make some space in your kitchen for all those yummy dishes you’ll be making later this week, use your computer as a resource to help you figure out what you can make with what you already have. And if you are REALLY wishing for a new computer, like the fabulous Intel All in Ones, there’s no better time than the holidays to snag one for one heck of a bargain. You can always use the argument that you need a sous chef!

An Easy Way to Make Trick-or-Treating More Fun at Your House

October 30, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

#spon: I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value.

If you are reading this blog post, then you have some sort of a computer. Even those of you on mobile devices probably have something with a larger screen at your home. And if you do, then I’ve got a super simple idea to help you make all those little Elsas and other characters who show up at your house tomorrow night smile when you open the door.

Not talking about having candy, because I’m assuming that you’ve got that. Otherwise, you will have some seriously upset munchkins on your hands!

I’m talking about creating a fun ambiance without having to go spend $100 on decorations or even a costume for yourself (though bonus points to you if you have a costume! Kids love it when the grown ups dress up!).

I’m bringing my Intel All-in-One (AIO) computer over to our front entrance area tomorrow night. It has a beautiful, large screen which makes it perfect for showing eerie photos. I actually downloaded this set of 15 spooky images and set my computer to show a different one every 10 seconds. My girls already love it and I know the trick-or-treaters will like seeing it in the background, too.

I’m also going to have a playlist of kid-friendly Halloween music playing. You can find great sets of music on Youtube and just minimize the page so that your eerie photos are being displayed instead of the Youtube page.

And finally, I’ll dress up the screen just a bit by adding some spiderwebs for an extra spooky effect. Our computers are such an integral part of our lives; why not get them more involved in our festivities? 🙂

My Intel AIO is the perfect device to move all over the house to wherever it can be put to best use because it is so easy to tote around. There’s no tower to connect it to, and no cumbersome cords. All you need is right there on the screen. I just love it! For more details about my experience with this Intel device, check out my Intel AIO review.

And if you’d like more information on Intel AIO products, definitely check out Intel All in Ones as they come in a wide range of options!

My Intel AIO is My Sous Chef: How a Computer Makes Me Happier in the Kitchen

September 24, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

#spon: I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value.

Can you be BFFs with a computer? Because I seriously want to make my Intel AIO a cup of coffee and sit down and just hang out. Ok, who am I kidding? I totally hang out with my computer all the time. It doesn’t even seem to mind that I drink its cup of coffee.

Such a generous friend, it is. Always giving. Always sharing. Always lending a hand (or at least a screen). Oh all-in-one computer, how ever did we function before you came along?

If you missed my previous post about different ways we are putting this awesome new device to work, you’ll want to check out my Intel AIO review. Spoiler alert: you’ll learn how this device functions like a desktop, a laptop, a tablet and a television. Yeah, it’s just that awesome!

Lately I’ve been particularly fond of bringing the AIO into the kitchen to be my recipe finder, holder, and of course, ingredient substitute finder (Because, seriously? who actually reads through the entire recipe to make sure you have all the ingredients first? Not this amazing chef!).

Just a few days ago I used the computer to walk me through my own recipe for pear-apple butter (Because, seriously? Who memorizes recipes, even ones they create, themselves? Not this amazing chef!). While I was working through the recipe, I had my AIO cranking out some music to keep the mood festive and fun. And I even paused the music at one point to hop on Skype for a chat with a friend. I was able to keep chopping away and spend a bit of time with company, all without leaving my kitchen. It was really great!

The more I use this computer, the more I love the generous screen size, the ease of use, and the portability. Our poor iPad languishes over in the corner now because the Intel AIO is the hot ticket item for games, for videos, and for pretty much everything else.

If you love Intel products as much as we do, or if you just want to learn more about Intel, or about the revolutionary new AIO systems, click below to join in!

Intel AIO: The Home Computer Revolution Has Begun!

September 4, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 4 Comments

#spon: I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value.

When it’s time to shop for a computer for your home, do you always go through the whole, “desktop or laptop?” debate? We certainly do. And while tablets have been thrown into the mix as yet another personal technology option, for me, a tablet will not serve my more serious computer needs. They tend to lack the processing speed I need, the programs I need, and the keyboard that I need to do some serious typing.

Last October our home needed a new computer due to the sudden death of our old laptop. I really thought that I made the ultimate purchase by opting for a laptop with a large screen that also has a touch screen so you can interact with it like a tablet or a laptop.

But friends, I can tell you now that there’s an even better option. Intel has put out a beautiful suite of All-in-One (AIO) computers, and they are absolutely the future of home computers. Intel AIO computers are pretty much the perfect marriage of all the best attributes of personal computing and entertainment devices.

1.High Touch Like a Tablet

The Intel AIO has a touchscreen, and an AWESOME one, at that. It can recognize and respond to up to 10 fingers at once! We’ve been taking full advantage of this by playing games as a family on the device.

2. High Functionality Like a Desktop

You’ll find all the power of a desktop computer tucked into this device. No need to make space for a tower, friends. We are thoroughly enjoying the increased leg room under our desk because of this upgrade! You can run all the programs that can really slow down a tablet or even a laptop on this bad boy, no problem.

3. High Portability Like a Laptop

While I wouldn’t say it is as portable as a laptop (I wouldn’t pack it in a bag and take it on a trip, for example) it most definitely can be toted around the house with ease. Take it to your kitchen to work on a recipe, or take it to the dining room table to work on a homework assignment. If you are a blogger with kids at home like me, then you can even take it to your child’s room to do a little work while also doing a little play. Multi-tasking can certainly happen with this device on hand.

Part of what makes the Intel AIO easy to move around, even at its size, is its slim design. Check that out, friends!

Intel AIO 3

4. Awesome Viewing Capabilities Like a Television

Intel AIO computers come in a variety of sizes, but may I just suggest that you get a big one? You will NOT regret it. It makes for a nice, large display when you are working. For example, Tim works with maps all day, so he has HUGE computer screens at work, and he said that this Intel AIO is almost as big as his work computer. As a result, he has been able to work from home on a few occasions when he normally would have had to go into the office to accomplish the task at hand. Score!

But when work is over and it’s time for play, the Intel AIO can become like a television screen. We’ve brought it into our room so we can do movies and catch up on our favorite shows. It is SO great, you guys!

So what do you think about this AMAZING tablet-meets-laptop-meets-desktop-meets-television? Pretty amazing, no? Want to learn more? Of course you do! Here’s a great way to learn more, share about your own Intel experience, and find out how you can revolutionize the way you use technology in your own home.