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Monday, July 13, 2015

Review... and a giveaway!

From time to time I get offers to review things on my blog.  It's not something I do a lot, but if it's something I think I would enjoy, I think you might too.
This request was one of the most unusual I've had!  There is a pizza chain called 'Pizza Ranch' and they were releasing a christian music CD.  It sounded crazy to me, but then I thought that if we all did a better job of sharing our faith in our daily life, things would be better!
So - first I'll tell you about the Pizza Ranch.  Adrie Groeneweg had a dream that started in Hull, IA, in 1981, when he was just 19 years old.  It was simple.  Why does everyone have to drive out of town to get a pizza?  With just six specialty and single topping pizza recipes developed by Adrie's mother, Lorraine, Pizza Ranch was born.  Pizza Ranch's vision and mission is to glorify God by positively impacting the world and to give every guest a legendary experience.  They have 190+ locations across 13 states including Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
There are 3 locations in Michigan.  We'd never been to one, so we decided it was time to check it out.
 The yummy pizza buffet...


 This is seriously the best dessert pizza ever!


 If you don't want pizza, you can have a chicken dinner.  There was also a nice salad bar.


The decor is simple, with a western look.
We thought the pizza was very good, the cheesy bread sticks and dessert pizza could win awards!  We'll be going back!

Now, about the CD:
From Adrie Groeneweg, President & CEO of Pizza Ranch, Inc.:  "This album has a very special meaning for Pizza Ranch.  Although Pizza Ranch is not in the music business, many things have been happening, conversations have been taking place and doors have been opening for this album.  Through these events, I believe it was obvious that God has been behind this for His specific purpose and putting it on our hearts to collectively create this project.  As such, we call this our miracle album, Living Hope."


On June 2, 2015, Pizza Ranch released the CD which contained twelve songs from many of their favorite Christian artists.  Most of the songs are brand-new and written exclusively for this CD around the theme of Hope.  Artists include Colton Dixon, Francesca Batistelli, Ellie Holcomb, Sidewalk Prophets, Kevin Max, Bart Millard, Passion Band featuring Kristian Stanfill, Michael W. Smith, and Mark Schultz.  

The CD will be available to purchase for $5 plus tax exclusively in Pizza Ranch restaurants or for download at pizzaranch.com/livinghope through August 31.

I've been listening to the CD for about a week now and have been really enjoying it.  A lot of the artists are people I listen to on my local christian music station, but since most of these songs were written for this album they are new to me.  One of my favorite singers is Bart Millard, and I really like the song he did.


Here's the Bart Millard song to give you a taste of the album.

They are offering a CD to one of my readers!  If you are interested, leave me a comment.  Make sure I have a way to get in touch with you if your name is drawn.  I'll post the winner on Friday.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish there was a Pizza Ranch in Georgia! The pizza bar and that dessert look so good. What an inspiring story and a lovely opportunity to win a cd. I'd love to be entered. Thank you.

Terri D said...

You picked a good song to share with us! Please put me in for the drawing. I'm sorry we don't have a Pizza Ranch in Florida!

Anonymous said...

Great song. Please put me in your drawing.

Deb chipman said...

Iam the anonymous deb c.

Deb J. in Utah said...

No Pizza Ranch restaurants here in AZ, that I am aware of, but it sure sounds like a great place. Please enter me in your drawing for the CD. Thanks so much!

Bethany Carson said...

Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Our local Pizza Ranch has been a spot for many of my family's get-togethers. It's hard to beat pizza, and they do have nice Western decor. A while back their paper napkins were pretty clever too, covered with funny advice from an "old cowboy." I was disappointed when they switched designs. I did not know about the restaurant's history, so interesting to learn. Just recently we've found a local place that we think has better pizza, so we don't go to Pizza Ranch as often, but their food is still good. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

Bethany Carson said...

P.S. Your photos are making me hungry. I agree with you that their dessert pizza is awesome. Besides the plain one you have pictured, I've seen peach, and I think it was blueberry. And their chicken broccoli alfredo pizza is to die for...the "other place" I mentioned doesn't have it.

Sola Scriptura said...

Now I really fancy some pizza! It sounds like a wonderful restaurant, I wish they had one near me :)

Rebecca said...

I have never heard of Pizza Ranch but wish them continued success and opportunity to express their love for our Lord Jesus.

By the way, I had hoped to attend our church convention to be held at Resurrection Life Church in G.R. this week. However, a gentleman from our church died yesterday. Supporting his family is one of the privileges of ministry and means we will NOT be traveling to your "stomping grounds".....Maybe we would have TRIED Pizza Ranch...

I also heard about Yesterdogs (hot dog place in GR). Have you ever eaten there?

Heather said...

Andrew just went to a Pizza Ranch with his co-workers for lunch and came home saying that we needed one closer to us! That song was wonderful! I am sure that the cd is great, I like all of the singers you listed.

Unknown said...

Really liked the song....and know I would enjoy the whole CD. Please do enter me. We dont have a Pizza Ranch but it sounds like a good place to eat and enjoy. God bless you today. We all need Hope!

sara said...

I love this!! I wish there was a Pizza Ranch near me!!! And I would love to hear more of this CD!

White Lace and Promises said...

What fun! Love this beat! I'm always about some music with hope! Too much other stuff around right now. Thanks Mari. Hoping I win!

Vicki said...

We have similar buffet pizza places in our area named CiCi's Pizza. They have a variety of pizzas, pasta, salad and dessert. I'd love for them to have a chicken dinner option though!

Love the song you shared, thanks for the chance to win the CD!

irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

Momma Roar said...

If I only got here to hear this song, then I've been blessed!

I BELIEVE in HOPE! :)

Leigh Ann

Laura said...

We've never been there either, and now I am starving! That all looked so good! We'll have to go soon I guess.

Anonymous said...

I would love that CD. You know where I am. Sherry Schut

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the giveaway - Connie Vugteveen

Anonymous said...

I'd like to be entered too. Thanks! Gerri Kamps

Judy said...

We have a Pizza Ranch a couple of towns over but we've never been, we'll have to try it. Please enter me in the giveaway.

Patsy said...

I would sure go if we had one here, hope there Pizza Ranch makes it to Arkansas.

Michelle said...

Thank you for posting this.
I went to YouTube and a whole new world of music opened up to me.

Connie said...

Pizza ranch is a great place to eat. Please sign me up.

Cherdecor said...

Every once in a while you just need some happy music! I think I could paint to that song! We need one of those pizza places in our town.

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

We have eaten at several pizza ranches when traveling for hockey (we don't have one locally). Always yummy and nice and easy for taking a team.

And I love that your giveaway is for something so inspirational and wonderful for our world today! I think you're so right in that it never hurts to share our faith and put blessings out there more. Fun song! ;)
xoxo

Terri said...

i love pizza ranch - their cactus bread is the best. Chicken is good too!

Unknown said...

I would love to be entered and would like to try Pizza Ranch.

Anonymous said...

I'd love that CD. Please enter me! Faith Clark

Anonymous said...

We love Pizza Ranch! Please enter me too. Nancy Wolbers

Fibro Girl said...

LOVE the song you posted!! Please enter me. Thanks, Leigh Ann Birdsell

Anonymous said...

I would love this CD too! Cheri Battjes