All About Indiana | Redefining Perfect

The Great Giveaway Experiment – That Went Bust

by Sarah | Dec 2, 2013 | All About Indiana, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Indy Geek Girls

I have this awesome friend, maybe you know her?

Emily, aka Designhermomma

Back in early October she made

<—This tweet.

I was intrigued, and asked if she wanted another participant for control. She said “Sure!” and off I went to the races.

Over the course of 3 days I entered 100 random giveaways using the #giveaway hashtag on twitter.

I was NOT picky. Not in the slightest.

I signed up for iPads, Kindles, ebooks, diapers (which, really, I don’t need), toys, power tools…pretty much everything under the sun including coupons.

I figured, hey…it’s just for fun.

I guessed I’d win 1…maybe 2 tops…since I don’t have stellar luck most times (Still in total shock I won a KitchenAid 6 years back).

To keep my mental status somewhat in check I kept records.

The websites URL, the end date, and the product. I figured I’d win something I had NO use for and donate it to someone who did.

I kept track, and as the month, and most of the giveaways, drew to a close I realized I had won a grand total of…

ZERO.

None.

None?

I know my luck is bad, but that couldn’t be right. 100 giveaways and nothing?

I thought it was a fluke, so I tried again. I took another weekend and randomly entered another 100 giveaways (plus a few I spotted I really wanted…grand total was probably around 125).

This time I was even more particular. I didn’t put extra entries in anything, I did the minimum required entry for everything and left it at that (no matter how bad I really wanted it). Figured maybe a level playing field would be better.

As November drew to a close and still no “Congratulations!!” emails came my way…

I mean really?

I’m not a greedy person, and I didn’t care one way or another.

But 200+ giveaways entered, and I won…NOTHING?

Talk about a bust!

So this was one social experiment that, for me, was a wash.

Emily? Oh, she entered about 80 and won 4 little items.

Wonder if she’ll send me some of her luck?

Ice Age Giants at the Indiana State Museum

by Sarah | Nov 14, 2013 | All About Indiana, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Indiana State Museum, Indy Geek Girls, NaBloPoMo, The Reluctant Hoosier

Did you know that Mammoths and Mastodons probably walked the very ground you’re walking on? That it’s possible when you’re walking through a park or driving past a field of corn, underneath those layers of soil could be the bones of Ice Age giants?

I had NO idea of this myself – or I was just blissfully ignorant of the fact.

Either way, I was totally privileged to get a sneak peek of a new IMAX movie and the ensuing exhibit at the Indiana State Museum yesterday.

The IMAX movie is in 3D and let me just tell you – the last 3D movie I went to was the Muppets show at Disney World in 1994…and holy shnikies, 3D today is NOT your Momma’s 3D! The imagery and cinematography was amazing. The CGI – incredible! I was in awe and wonder throughout the whole movie, even though I think Erik got a little vertigo at the sweeping landscape shots, he was impressed too.

Then we were able to step into the exhibit itself which is both big in scope and detail, and easily geared toward kids – including a dig site and a bone they can touch!!

Throughout the exhibit you get to see how Mammoth and Mastodon skulls could well have been the inspiration behind the Cyclops of legend and myth, how the animals had growth plates just like humans and animals today, and see teeth as big as your head.

I mean, how awesome is that? I could have spent hours in there, and I know my kids will spend hours in there this weekend.

At the very end you get to see two full size skeletons and just awe over how there were tons of flesh and fur over them.

It’s an exhibit totally worth seeing (even if it did replace the Star Wars exhibit ~pout~)…and I can’t wait to let my girls “dig” in!

This exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, November 16th at 11AM. Get more information at the Indiana State Museum’s website!

Now…onto what I know you’re waiting for – the pictures!!..

The Mammoth’s greatest threat – Man:

Porous bones look like ancient caverns:

The Inspiration for Cyclops”

Growth plates:

TEETH:

I loved this one. You set your hands down, and not just hear the sound, but FEEL the vibrations:

Tiny Bones:

Dig:

ZooBoo – Scavenger Hunt Sunday

by Sarah | Nov 3, 2013 | All About Indiana, Blogging Life, Photography, Scavenger Hunt Sunday

We went to ZooBoo this week…and I used it for all my pictures. Some might be a stretch, but ya know. 😉

All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.

1. Dress Up
This little guy decided to be the most unique and elusive creature in the universe – a unigazelle.

This fancy-pants scoffed and said he was always dressed up.

2.Candy
Pink like cotton candy

I can’t be sure – but I don’t think he’s looking for candy.

3. Pumpkin
YAY! Elephants smashing pumpkins!

I really loved the way this pumpkin was decorated

4. Spooky
I think…think…these were supposed to be spooky.

Where this guy succeeded the way he skulked about and paced.

5. Orange
A peek of orange in the upper pumpkin.

Explanation not required.

Songography:

My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson:

Well, it stands to reason that my life would suck without them:

You can find more pictures over at my flickr account.

Indy’s Children’s Museum Haunted House – Giveaway!

by Sarah | Oct 10, 2013 | All About Indiana, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Giveaway, Indy Geek Girls, The Reluctant Hoosier

I am, without a doubt, a big ol’ fraidy cat.

Growing up (and, admittedly, even today) I can’t watch a scary movie for nothing. I have never, and I mean never-ever-ever, been to a Haunted House before this week.

Then I got an invite to The Children’s Museum’s 50th Anniversary “Time Warp” Haunted House – celebrating 50 years of Haunting the museum.

And I went.

The “50 years of fear” includes the addition of 3-D glasses (which you don’t NEED to enjoy it if 3D’s bother your eyes)…and takes you on a journey through time. You enter through the elevator and the disorientation begins in the tunnel, taking you all the way back to the 1960’s…and the Upside Down Room featured in TCM’s first Haunted Houses. Then it’s onto the 70’s with a creepy basement and then my favorite room of the whole haunted house (see if you can guess what that is from my pictures below). You’ll fly into the 80’s with neon clothes, a horrifying Chucky doll (scared me the mostest) and a pinball room that I’m assured in the scare hours is extra freaky. If you’re a child of the 90’s you’ll be treated to horrific flashbacks of internet dial up tones and “You’ve got mail” while surrounded by cables, wires and reminders of the terrifying reality of Y2k…and the witches take us on a further treat by sending us into the terrifying future 50 years ahead, before finally sending us back to the present.

The Children’s Museum Haunted House is a great treat for any age, especially with the new “Choose Your Scare Options.” Here’s how you can get tickets, choose your scare, then it’s onto the giveaway and pictures!!

General Admission:
$6 @ Marsh Supermarkets
$7 @ the Box Office or Online

XTreme Scream:
$12 @ the Box Office or Online

Light’s On Hours (i.e. Kid and ‘Fraidy-Cat safe):
Wed’s-Sat’s: 10A-3P
Wed’s Oct 16 & 23: 3:30-8:30P
Sun’s: 11A-5P
Halloween: 10A-3P

Frightening Hours:
Thu’s & Fri’s: 3:30-8:30P
Wed, Oct 30: 3:30-8:30P
Sat’s: 3:30-9:30P
Halloween – None

Xtreme Scream (For those looking for an INTENSE psychological scare):
Fridays: 9-11P

Now for the Children’s Museum Giveaway!! I have four, count them, FOUR tickets to giveaway for The Children’s Museum 50th Anniversary Time Warp Haunted House!!

All you have to do to enter is:

1. Leave a comment telling me if you’re a ‘Fraidy-Cat or if you’re braving the Scary Hours (or the XTreme Scream)!!! ~1 entry point

2. Tweet This:

Enter to win 4 tickets to Time Warp: #50YearsofFear Haunted House @TCMIndy from @SadieCass http://bit.ly/1czw45T #Giveaway #Indy

~1 entry Point for the exact copied tweet

3. PIN this post (Pin button above) and leave a comment w/ the link. ~ 1 entry point

The giveaway ends on Monday 10/14 at 9AM. The winner will have 36 hours to get back to me or I’ll choose another winner.

If you want more chances to win (and you know you do) visit the wonderous blogs below:

Hoosier Party Girl
Just Like the Number
Indy With Kids

Now do you want to see some pictures? Because I want to show them! These are not nearly all of the pictures I took, but I wanted to leave you some surprises.

DigIN – A Taste of Indiana #Giveaway #Indy CLOSED

by Sarah | Aug 9, 2013 | All About Indiana, Blogging Life, DigIN, Indiana Family of Farmers, The Reluctant Hoosier

Everyone in Indiana knows that DigIN is a great place to eat some marvelous food prepared by fabulous chefs, and get some locally brewed beer that’ll knock your socks off.

Did you know that it’s also a great place to meet the people behind those fabulous dishes? The men and women that grow the food, or raise the livestock to get that locally sourced food on your plate?

DigIN is about so much more than the people that cook the food. It’s about the people that provide the food.

I’m happy to once again be a part of getting the word out and telling you about this fabulous festival and encourage you all to go.

First I’ll give you the details, but then keep going for a GIVEAWAY 😀

What: DigIN – A Taste of Indiana
When: Sunday, August 25, 2013. 12-5PM
Where: White River State Park
Tickets: $40 General Admission ($60 gets you in an hour early); Children $10 (under 4 are free)

Indiana Family of Farmers is an amazing sponsor of the event and wants to give you TWO tickets to come see (and taste) the Heartland on August 25, 2013 at White River State Park.

I’m going to make it even easier than usual to win, just two ways to enter.

Visit the DigIN site and leave a comment here telling me what part of the Event you’d like to “dig in” to.
Tweet about my giveaway w/ a tag to me (@sadiecass) and leave a comment here saying you did so.

That’s it!

Giveaway ends on Tuesday, August 13 at 10:59PM. Winner will be contacted first thing August 14th & will have 24 hours to reply or I will pick another winner.

*~*

Dig IN, A Taste of Indiana 2013 RESTAURANTS, CHEFS and DISHES noted, as available (subject to change)

18 on the Square, Joseph Martin: Duck Gyro, Grilled Flat Bread, Relished Summer Vegetables, Daredevil Sauce (Protein provided by Maple Leaf Farms)
Black Market, Micah Frank: Indiana Berry Shrub
Brad Gates Catering, Brad Gates: Grilled Duck Breast & Poached Peach Salad
Cerulean, Chase Hinton and Caleb France: Duck, Fennel, Sorrel, Cherries, Chilies
Chef JJ’s Back Yard, Chef JJ Boston: Curried Pork and Lamb (Protein from Paul Russell’s Farm and Gunthrop Farms)
Circle City Soups, Roger Hawkins, Indiana Gazpacho
Circle City Sweets, Cindy Hawkins: Honey-Shagbark Granola with Yogurt
Courses Restaurant, Joseph Davey: Albondigas (Protein from Keegan Poe’s Farm)
Craig Baker, Craig Baker: Pork Country Style Torchon, House Pickled Seasonal Veg Salad, “Bloody Mary,” and Micro Herbs (Protein from Birkeys)
Delicia, Ricardo Martinez: Spicy Beet Salad
Fermenti Artisan, Mark Cox: Smoked Bison Shoulder and Curtido (Protein from Bison World)
Goose the Market, Chris Eley: Meat on a Stick (Protein from Donnie Brewer’s Farm)
Indiana Downs, Greg Schiesser (Protein from Dallas & Meggie Foster’s Farm)
Joseph Decuis, Aaron Butts: Mini Wagyu Burgers with Spicy Tomato Jam and Bleu Cheese Mousse (Protein provided by Joseph Decuis Farm)
Just Rennie’s Cookie Company, Chef Doug & Marla Rennie: Just Rennie’s Gourmet Cookies
JW Marriott Indianapolis, Brendon Cheney: Indiana Pig: The Adventure Begins (Protein from Chris & Jent Campbell’s Farm)
Kelly Ford, Jeff Ford: Duck Confit Egg Roll/Spring Roll with Pork Belly & Jalapeno “Duck” Sauce (Protein from Maple Leaf Farms)
Lemleys’ Catering, Alexa Lemley: Chicken on a Grit Cake (Protein from Tyson)
Meridian Restaurant and Bar, Layton Roberts: Faux Noodle (Protein from Matt Gibson’s Farm)
Mesh on Mass, Mark Henrichs: Compressed Watermelon Salad
Napolese, Tyler Herald: Focaccia Caprese Sandwich
Northside Social, Nicole Oprisu: Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Protein from Tyner Pond)
One World Catering, Corbin Morwick: Moroccan Lamb Meatballs (Protein from Keegan Poe’s Farm)
R bistro, Regina Mehallick: Beans & Beef (Protein from Fischer Farms)
Scratchtruck, Matt Kornmeyer: Bourbon Braised Brisket with Peach Bourbon Glaze (Protein from Fischer Farms)
Severin Bar, Vincent Russo: Pulled Pork Sliders with Bourbon/Watermelon Slaw
Spice Box, Nitin Naidu: Goat Channa (Protein from Gunthrop Farms)
The Chef’s Academy, Anthony G Hanslits: Lamb Reuben + Napa Cabbage Slaw + Minted Mustard (Protein from Keegan Poe’s Farm)
The Indigo Duck, Karen Hewett: Rabbit Sloppy Joe’s (Protein from Meat the Rabbit)
The Loft Restaurant, Brandon Canfield: Grass-fed Beef
The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Courtney Loyd (Protein from RDM Shrimp)
Valley Kitchen & Bar, Cory Muro: Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps(Protein from Gunthrop Farms)
Zest! Exciting Food Creations + Twist Lounge, Valerie Vanderpool: Elloté Salad with Cornmeal-Crusted Perch (Protein from Bell Aquaaculture)

INDIANA ARTISANS

Best Boy & Co., Ft. Wayne/Roanoke: Caramel bourbon sauce and fudge sauces
Burton’s Maplewood Farm, Medora: Maple syrup and infused syrups
Capshew Cellars, Lanesville: Black cherry, pear and red wine vinegars
Captain Jim’s Sauces, Indianapolis: Hot sauces made from naturally grown, sustainable peppers from a local farmer
Chocolate for the Spirit, Shelbyville: Truffles and bon-bons
Cornerstone Bread Co., Indianapolis: Vienna, Marble Rye and Cherry Chocolate breads, Scotch Ale rolls made with Sun King Brewing’s Wee Mac Brown Ale
Frittle Candy, Indianapolis: Frittle, a cross between fudge and brittle
Front Porch Pretzels, Kokomo: Small-batch, hand-poured jams featuring organic fruit
Sweet Poppin’s, Kokomo: Gourmet flavored popcorn

FOOD TRUCKS/REFRESHMENTS

Bee Coffee: Plum Buzz Iced Coffee
Duos: Golden Chanterelle Vegetable Bisque
Natural Born Juicers: Strawberry Smoothie
Nicey Treat: Paletas, ice pops made with fresh fruit
Scratchtruck
Spice Box

*~*

*Disclaimer: As an Indiana Family of Farmers Ambassador I received two free tickets to DigIN. As always, all opinions and reluctance to be called a Hoosier are all mine.