Saturday, November 30, 2013
Shop For Gorgeous Holiday Gifts At Mothology
It's all about shopping this weekend, I know. The stores and malls around here have been a little crazy, that's for sure.
It's so nice to shop from home, where you can avoid the crowds, and have a warm drink by your side, right?
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Easy Pasta Casserole
It's the day before Thanksgiving, and I know everyone is thinking about all that cooking they will be doing tomorrow. Yummy, right?
But if you are like me and my family, at some point this weekend you will need a break from turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
This is where an easy but delicious pasta casserole recipe will come in very handy. This one is almost cheating, because it calls for a jar of spaghetti sauce, and is so simple to make, but it's really tasty.
Recipe for Easy Pasta Casserole
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
3 cups elbow or tube pasta, cooked
1 24oz. jar spaghetti sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups Monterey Jack/Cheddar Cheese combo
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
HearthSong Legends of Magic Kit with DVD Review and Giveaway #sponsored
My oldest son is about to turn 7 years old, like most 7 year olds he is starting to find out what his real interests are. It is so neat to see him learning about life, our planet, the way things work, and recently the "magic" of magic. We went to a birthday party where they had a magician, Jayden was memorized, watching and waiting to see the magicians every move. He was studying him so hard, trying to see exactly how he executed each trick. When we left all he could talk about was how awesome it was, he asked if magic was real because although he thought it was great, he also had his doubts. Jayden is a "has to see it to believe it kind of kid" and magic was just so out of this world to him. He wanted to learn the magicians tricks so I knew he would love the HearthSong Legends of Magic Kit with DVD!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Baking Candy Cane Chocolate Cupcakes With Land O' Lakes Butter #HolidayButter #shop #cbias
Holiday baking has been a long tradition in my family, so I'm very excited to be in the kitchen baking some of my favorite treats.
Chocolate and peppermint are a must during the holiday season, so I combined the two and made these yummy cupcakes.
My grandchildren were thrilled when they saw them, and it was a real struggle for them to wait until after dinner to have one.
The key to successful baking for me, is using the highest quality ingredients that I can. Butter is one of those ingredients, and I always like stocking up on it at this time of the year.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Homemade Apple Pie + Adding ZEST to your weekend!
I have told everyone how much I like pie and desserts in general, I cannot pass on a good looking pie, I just can't. And in the beginning of the fall season I shared a recipe for Homemade Apple Pie with Lemon ZEST. It was a huge hit so I wanted to share it again in case you missed it. Not to mention you can wow your Thanksgiving guests with this zesty pie!
This time the recent pie I made was for a charity auction at Liam's preschool. Every year they auction off homemade desserts and treats, it is a smashing hit and brings in hundreds of dollars! Ever need a charity idea? Food always bring in the dough! Here is the recipe, ENJOY!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- Pie Dough, your recipe of store bought crust, whichever you prefer
- 10 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3/4 cup sugar, plus additional for pie top
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 egg, beaten
Why I'm Smiling it Forward #SmilingItForward #sponsored
I’m SMILING IT FORWARD™ because right now everyone in our family is happy and healthy. But that is not always the case around our house. Recently all of my children were hit hard with the flu and all at the same time. Of course, when they are sick all they want is mom. When you’re a mom seeing your children sick is so tough. Not only do we want to snuggle them and do anything to make them feel better, but we also want to take away their sickness. To help ease their pain and fevers we always turn to TYLENOL®, I know it is safe and effective for my children.
Not everyone has the luxury of things like medicine or health care to help when their children are sick, that's where Children's Health Fund comes in. Their mobile medical clinics provide children in need with access to the doctors, nurses and medicine they deserve. You can help do your part by loading a picture to SMILING IT FORWARD™ , and with every photo uploaded TYLENOL® will donate $1 to Children's Health Fund. What a simple and great way to help other children in need!
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
Recipe for Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
Ingredients:
Filling:
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Brownies:
1 regular size box brownie mix
water, vegetable oil, and eggs called for in brownie mix
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Uncle Milton National Geographic Review and Giveaway #sponsored
Finding unique and fun gifts for my children over the holiday season is one thing I like to do, feeling like your child has that special something is worth searching for. If you are looking for toys and gifts to give your little ones that not everyone will have then Uncle Milton is the place to shop! They have product lines like National Geographic, Fireworks Light Show, Marvel Science, and more.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Dana Renee Style Jewelry Review and Giveaway #sponsored
I love the ease of doing my holiday shopping online. Especially when I find a shop that has beautiful things at a price I can afford.
Dana Renee Style Jewelry is an online jewelry shop that makes and sells lovely and unique handmade jewelry.
Dana Renee Style Jewelry offers earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings in a variety of styles, with something to appeal to every woman.
Dana's inspiration for creating her jewelry comes from vintage clothing, nature, photography, and whatever happens to catch her eye.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Apple Tree Handprint Project
With Thanksgiving coming up next week we have been talking about giving, sharing and loving your family and friends. A great way for children to relate to this in real life is to read them a story about the subject. That is why we have been reading The Giving Tree , a family favorite. All this reading sparked the Apple Tree project below! I love it when the story continues into real life, it really seems like the children are understanding and absorbing what we are teaching.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Butterscotch Pudding
Butterscotch pudding was a favorite dessert of mine when I was a little girl. My mother loved making dessert for us, and pudding was something she made at least once a week.
This pudding isn't quite as good as what I remember from all those ago, but it is pretty delicious.
A little whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg are the perfect finish.
Ingredients:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 egg yolks, beaten
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Holiday Cards MINTED $50 Giveaway
Sending out Holiday/Christmas cards is #1 on most peoples list this time of year, just like holiday shopping, there is planning and preparation involved. These days most people are looking for holiday cards that are personal, artful and meaningful.
If sending out Christmas cards that are unique and special to you are what you are looking for then Minted is the perfect solution. Why Minted? Minted is the world's premier marketplace for independent design. Their mission is to find exceptional artists and designers all over the world and bring their work to consumers who appreciate great design.
What I love about Minted is it is a collaboration of so many different designers and artists that everyone can find a card that is just perfect. We all have an idea of what is the "perfect" Holiday card to send, Minted will help you capture that idea. I can't wait to order my Christmas cards this year, in the mean time I will drool over a few beautiful examples...
Friday, November 15, 2013
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 stick melted salted butter
Filling:
- 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin
- 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Shop Hammacher Schlemmer for all of your Holiday Gifts #sponsored
This year I have dedicated most of my holiday shopping to online, it is just so easy and convenient and with three small children trying to get in a day or two of shopping is rough. My husband and I like to pick out their gifts together, that means we need someone to watch our children, which means finding and paying a sitter. We would rather spend the time and money shopping by online after the kids go to bed.
Another luxury to shopping on line is the variety and endless choices but that can also be overwhelming. What I love about Hammacher Schlemmer is they have everything, I mean everything you can think of for everyone in your family! You can shop for your entire family and cross everyone off of your list with one stop here. Their site has many categories to choose from like Electronics, Apparel, Home, Outdoor, Personal Care, Sports and Leisure, Toys, Travel, Holiday and Special Values. They also have gifts that you might not even know exist, seriously I came across some great gift ideas! Here are a few to start:
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Thursday, November 14, 2013
Energizer Change Your Clock Change Your Batteries Program Review and Giveaway #sponsored
Now that time has "Fall Back" we need to be reminded that we need to change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in our homes. I sometimes forget on the day time changes as I am busy changing clocks all over the house and car. I wanted to post this as a reminder to everyone that has not yet changed the batteries in your detectors and for you to remind loved ones that may have forgotten as well. Have you changed yours?
I know many times in the past I have taken batteries out of a smoke detector from my learning curve for cooking lol I always try remember to put the batteries back. Now would be the perfect time to go check all your detectors and make sure new batteries are in them. Something so simple as a new battery in a smoke alarm can save lives.
Since working with Energizer last year for the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program I have it in my mind that time changes and so do batteries. I remind people I know about changing detector batteries when they remind me of the time change. So be safe and go change those smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries if you have not since the time change.
Introducing Spice Of The Month
Over my years of cooking, I have invested lots of money in buying spices. Many of those jars of spices ended up being thrown away because I didn't use them. And I certainly didn't need to buy a big jar of a spice I only needed a tiny bit of.
Spices are crucial to creating delicious and flavorful meals. I'm very excited to have found a fabulous way of buying spices that lets you try out different kinds each month at a low cost.
Spice Of The Month is a new subscription service that delivers spices right to your door every month.
The spices come with recipes and cooking tips to help you make delicious and exciting meals.
The Spice Of The Month website makes it easy to sign up and lets you start enjoying your spices delivered to you with free shipping.
Their blog is filled with helpful information, cooking ideas, and great recipes like Nutmeg Cheesecake and Almond Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Chicken Soup For The Soul, It's Christmas! Review and Giveaway #sponsored
I have enjoyed reading the Chicken Soup For The Soul series of books for years now.
Whatever is going on in your life, wonderful things, or not so wonderful, there is usually a book in this series to address the situation.
Chicken Soup For The Soul It's Christmas! is filled with 101stories of love, Christmas miracles, the joy of family and children, and much more.
Guaranteed to warm your heart, and get you into the holiday spirit, this is a must read, whether you love Christmas or dread it.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Recipe For Best Meatballs Ever!!
In our house cooking is a shared thing, although I am the primary cook in the house, my husband is the better cook. He makes up his own recipes and the always turn out so good. He has this amazing meatball recipe that I know you will LOVE! It has ground beef and sausage, the sausage makes all the difference.
Ingredients for Meatballs:
1 pound ground beef
1 tube Jimmy Dean regular sausage
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (from jar, not the fresh kind)
1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers
1 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 egg
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for greasing cookie sheet
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Dermagist Ultimate Clarifying System Review and Giveaway #sponsored
Even though I am of the age where acne shouldn't be an issue, there are times acne can make an impact on how I feel about myself and it always seems to pop up at the worst times. Most people associate acne with puberty or youth but the truth is anyone at any age can battle acne. As a teenager I had it pretty bad at certain times in my life that caused redness and scarring on my face. Taking care of my skin was never on the top of my list of important things though, I figured I was a teenager, it comes with the territory. Now I know better, there are ways to help if you have acne prone skin. Dermagist has the Ultimate Clarifying System, for acne prone skin which includes One (1) Jar of our Acne Clarifying Cream (45 day supply), One (1) Bottle of our Detoxifying Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin (45 day supply) and One (1) Jar of our Acne Scar Fading Cream (45 day supply).
Today officially starts our Annual Holiday Gift Guide Event!
Today is the kick off of our Annual Holiday Gift Guide Event!
We will be reviewing and giving away great gifts and gift ideas for the holiday season, to include everyone from the kids, husband/wife, family pet and even yourself!
Here's to a great Holiday Event and a special thanks to all of our sponsors!
Evolution of the Modern Car #kiasocialclub
Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Kia Motors
Cars have been around for a long time but most of us don't know the trivia of what year things came about on the car. In this video there are a few fun facts from Kia about the evolution of cars. Like did you know the rearview mirror came about in the 1910's or that the cup holder was installed in the 1950's, before seatbelts which came about in the 1960's!! Ha good to know that safety was on the forefront of everyones mind :)
*This post was brought to you buy Kia Motors. All opinions are my own.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Muffins
Recipe For Double Chocolate Chip Muffins:
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups of milk (whole preferred)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
6 Tbsp. cold black coffee
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus 1/3 cup additional of chocolate chips for sprinkling
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Chocolate Dipped Macaroons
Recipe for Chocolate Dipped Macaroons
Ingredients:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
1/8 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces dark, white, or milk chocolate, melted
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