New Year Blog Hop

Happy New Year To you May you all be blessed in 2012 .

HotPants review

Many of us are blessed with more abundance than we like. We may have let our selves go a bit, picked up a few pounds when we were expecting mothers or simply be blessed with genes that give us over abundance. Hot Pants is helping women losing weight and seeing results. Testamonies on their Facebook page will help you understans just how great they are.

Cellulite is the factor that affects many women. Unappealing and unattractive cellulite leaves women looking for an answer. Hot Pants is proving to be that answer to many. HotPants have Celu-lite technology imbedded in the pants so that while you are wearing it they help to smooth out those dimples imbedded on ones thighs.

We were recently able to review a pair of the HotPants. My daughter was the reviewer as she is always concerned about her apperance. The HotPants we recieved looked like long board shorts but were thicker in comparison of a normal pair of pants. The thicker material allowed her to work out and get results of more sweat (toxin release) in the area of her bottom and upper legs. The build up of heat because of the thicker material allowed her to "sweat" more of the built up fat off.






Mom Bloggers Club allowed us the opportunity to take part in this review. We recieved a pair of the hotpants for review purposes no other means of compensation were given. I shared my personal thoughts and feelings in this post and was not instructed what to share or write.

Sunday Blog Hop

Saying "hi" to all of you out there thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment letting me know that you did so I can visit your blog or website as well

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

my first grandson was born

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

for the most part I did and yes will make more for next year

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

daughter

4. Did anyone close to you die?

lost a few friends

5. What countries did you visit?

only the one I live in

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
more travel time

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Feb 10, 2011 my grandsons birth

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
our biggest achievement was going back to work

9. What was your biggest failure?
losing time because i did not know how to budget

10. What was the best thing you bought?
did not buy big ticket items for the most part

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
my son graduated from highschool

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
we all have our days

13. What song will always remind you of 2011?

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?

spent time with family


15. What do you wish you’d done less of?

worked

16. Did you fall in love in 2011?

been in love for many years , Jan 3 will be to celebrate 25 years with the love of my life

17. What was your favorite new TV program?

extreme couponing

18. What was the best book you read?

marys son

19. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?

more time with grandbabies , nieces and nephews that is the only thing missing from my life

20. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

besides nursing scrubs it was me being me

21. What kept you sane?

my husband and family as usual
22. Who did you miss?

so many individuals both still on earth here and in heaven
23. Who was the best new person you met?

I would have to say many girls at work that I never knew now would miss terribly without them in my life
24. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2011?

time passes to fast take time and enjoy family
25. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"looks like we made it"

Frozen Cookies

1 gallon French vanilla ice cream

2 14-ounce packages shredded coconut

Make ice cream balls with a 1 1/2-inch scoop, then roll each ball in the shredded coconut. Place them in foil or paper mini-muffin wrappers on a tray. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and freeze.

Kay Chun and Jane Kirby, Real Simple
DECEMBER 2002

Super Cute Hamburgers

These hamburgers are super cute you can check them out at Duncan Hines

Craft Idea For New year

This is a cute idea from a past post I shared here on my blog It is a great way to save those special memories in the new year. Want to know how you can start the year off collecting memories and saving them in a green way then read the post here





show n tell friday

Ballreichs Potato Chips and Snacks Review

New Years eve is just a few nights away. How will you celebrate with your family? Our family normally fixes up some snacks and comes together a few hours before midnight to talk, play games and have fun. As we all know there will have to be some good snacks on hand as well. We will definitely have Ballreichs chips and snacks to help make the night special. Check out some of the great sales currently going on at Ballreich's

We had a wonderful opportunity to check out some of the delicious snacks and chips from Ballreich's. Our taste buds were delighted to say the least. Some of the snacks we were able to try were chocolate covered potato chips. Now if you are a chocolate fan and a chip fan you will find yourself in heaven. These sweetened chips were kept a secret for the teens I do not do this often but let me tell you these were delicious and were only shared between me and my hubby.

Some of the other treats we all got to try were

snacks like pretzels. The pretzels we were sent were the bow tie type and since it was Christmas we dipped some of them in melted chocolate. I must say though they were delicious both plain as they came out of the bag as well as dipped in the chocolate.

We also were treated with an assortment of chips. Ballreichs has chips available in a big grab pack, snack size, party size, family size and a 1 lb size. This provides the amount that suits your need whether just for you and a quick snack or if you will be serving a group of individuals.

Some other treats that are available at Ballreichs that we have yet to try are treats such as licorice, pork rinds and jerky. One of the nicest things that I like about Ballreichs is that they have gift baskets available to surprise someone you know and love

Want to check out Ballreichs for yourself and get a treat yourself or even share one with someone else then you will want to visit their website located at http://www.ballreich.com/ also find them on twitter and facebook

Tasty Cookies

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 (14-oz.) package sweetened flaked coconut
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
24 whole unblanched almonds
1/2 cup dark chocolate morse

 Stir together first 4 ingredients. Drop dough by lightly greased tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Press an almond into top of each cookie.  Bake at 350º for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden. Remove to wire racks to cool.  Microwave 1/2 cup chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 minute and 15 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals and at end. Transfer to a 1-qt. zip-top plastic freezer bag; cut a tiny hole in 1 corner of bag. Pipe melted chocolate over cooled cookies by gently squeezing bag.

Southern Living NOVEMBER 2006

http://www.happyhourprojects.com/

Coconut Pecan Cupcakes

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
Caramel Frosting
Garnish: chopped roasted salted pecans

Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until blended.  Combine flour and baking soda; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in coconut and pecans.  Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form, and fold into batter. Place 36 paper baking cups in 3 (12-cup) muffin pans; spoon batter into cups, filling half full.

4. Bake at 350° for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove from pans to wire racks, and let cool completely (about 45 minutes).
5. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes. Garnish, if desired.

Southern Living DECEMBER 2011

Quick Meal Idea and Giveaway info

Do you ever have those moments when you need to eat quick yet there is no time to cook or if you are like me you simply are too tired? Well check out this deal at Pizza Hut. Want to try the deal out first hand free then enter the giveaway on the blog Go Graham Go This giveaway ends 12/29/2011

Host A Chex Mix party

I enter several giveaways and host a few as well. This time I entered a giveaway for the chance to host a Chex-Mix party. I love to use chex-mix to make lots of different snack combos and I know that it makes a great party snack as well. If I am lucky enough to win this awesome prize pack I will get

5 boxes of Chex cereal to create Chex Party Mix recipes

5 featured Chex Party Mix recipes

10 takeout containers so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go

$20 gift card to purchase recipe ingredients and decorating supplies

For your chance to win enter the giveaway at the blog Blessings Abound Mommy You have til  December 28 to win

another great thing you may want to check out is the triple pack box of chex. Extra value and awesome goodness in one box. You will want to check this out and another great giveaway on the blog Blessings Abound Mommy where you can win a $25 gc to Sams Club. This giveaway ends December 28 as well

Win a Dress from Shabby Apple

Shabby Apple has helped to bring women's fashion back to what it was meant to be. The owners of Shabby Apple saw a need in women's fashion and what was being missed out on. Clothes should make a woman feel feminine and beautiful. I can remember my mother and grandmother say that you were the best to show off you style and the rest was for their imagination and not to be directly revealed. I love the styles that Shabby Apple carries because they are flirty and stylish and diverse. The outfit that you wear to the office in the morning can be the same one you meet your husband in and go out with. The focus that Shabby Apple places on their clothing does not stop there they go beyond and help give to give to charities that serve women and children

 I was allowed to host this giveaway and pick the dress that would be given to the lucky winner. This is a gift to my readers as I was not allowed to review the dress. I thought about all the beautiful and stylish dresses at Shabby Apple and thought what a wonderful opportunity for one of Annies Home readers to win a beautiful dress 

Andes Skirt

Pineapple Princess

 I love to start the new years off with my husband by my side and whether we spend the night with the famiy or date night with hubby I believe that New Years Eve is one of those occasions that call for a bit of glam. Shabby Apple has some lovely dresses that offer that glam feature as well as some that are perfect to wear elegently every day.

One of Annies Home winners will win a  beautiful Shabby Apple Dress. What I need you to do to enter this giveaway is to share me with (1) where you would wear this dress and for a second entry (2) tell me what you will be doing new years eve You must also be a public follower via gfc on my blog

Extra Entries:

follow on twitter

like on facebook

follow my blog on twitter

like me on facebook

share this giveaway on facebook (2 entries per time 1 time a day) leave link in comment

tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet unlimited) leave link in comment

blog about this giveaway (5 entries ) leave link in comment

Giveaway ends January 11, 2012 Email must be in comment or blog profile or will not count Good Luck

we did not receive anything but the opportunity to host this giveaway for Shabby Apple where one of my readers will win a lovely dress. For this we are proud and thankful for the opportunity.

Muffin Tin Lollipops

These are awesome and I love them because they are so easy to make Check them out here

shared at your recipe my kitchen

Purex giveaway ends 1/11/12

I believe we probably all have our choice in detergents that we use. I have personally used Purex since we were first married. I love the good clean power of Purex and now they have improved it once again to where it is now triple action. I use this all the time so when I saw the giveaway on the blog Heck of a Bunch I knew I had to jump at the chance to try to win some (actually there will be 3 winners) You can enter as well but do so before January 11, 2012

Simple Breakfast Casserole ~~ recipe can be doubled
2 cans of Crescent Rolls
1/2 lb pork sausage or sweet Italian turkey sausage
9 strips of cooked bacon (ready made works well)
6 eggs
... 1/2 cup milk
1 TBSP TS Spinach and Herb Mix
1/4 tsp TS Seasoned Salt
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scramble the sausage in skillet, breaking into small pieces. Drain and set aside (can also be cooked ahead of time and stored in a Ziploc in the fridge). Push Crescent dough in a 9x13 casserole dish on the bottom and edges making a crust. Spread cooked sausage over dough then line bacon on top of it. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, Spinach and Herb and Seasoned Salt together. Pour egg mixture evenly in casserole dish over meat and dough. Top with cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until eggs are set...

recipe source: Tastefully Simple

Winter Themed Cupcakes

shared at

http://hoosierhomemade.com/new-years-eve-cupcakes/

Bobos Oat Bars review

Start the year off right enjoying good food If you are a snacker like me I would suggest to you to see what is out there on the market. One delicious snack that I have had the chance to try lately is Bobo's Oat Bars. These pleased my entire family including my finicky husband and my teens. Bobo Oat Bars come in a variety of 13 different flavors ranging from



Original

Coconut

Cinnamon Raisin

Peanut Butter

Cranberry Orange

Chocolate

Almond

Banana

Strawberry

Apricot

Gluten Free Bars

Peach

Maple Pecan

Lemon Poppyseed

Chocolate Almond

 

Bobos Oat Bars  are all Natural Bar baked with love from the heart in Boulder Colorado .The bars  are loaded with fiber, are wheat free, and are vegan approved so there are lots of great reasons to give them a try.These are the perfect snacks to take with you while traveling, for those long delays at the transport of your choice and to fullfill that blank of time where you are waiting to get to that New Years Eve Party. They not only taste good but are also good for you

 

You can purchase Bobos Oat Bars on their website at http://bobosoatbars.com/ 

 

follow bobos oat bars on twitter

like bobos oat bars on facebook

 

 

 

Meatball Recipe

1 pound lean ground beef

1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Picante Sauce

1/3 cup grape jelly

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

• Heat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg, garlic and 1/4 cup picante sauce in a large bowl. Shape the mixture firmly into 40 (1-inch) meatballs. Place the meatballs onto the baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through, turning them over once halfway through the bake time.
• Heat the remaining picante sauce and jelly in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes or until the mixture is reduced to 1 cup. Stir in the thyme, if desired.
• Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until the meatballs are hot, stirring occasionally. Serve the meatballs on toothpicks.

RECIPE TIPS

• Make-Ahead: The meatballs can be prepared and baked up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Before serving, prepare the picante-jelly mixture and add the meatballs to the skillet. Cook until the meatballs are hot, stirring occasionally.

recipe source: Campbells Kitchen

shared at
tasty tuesday  Get Your Craft On Tuesday

Wednesday blog hop

 Oh my here we go ready to get wired? What does get wired mean to you? Well to me it means wild and crazy ready to geat sociable visit lots of great blogs and meet lots of new friends.
If you stop in here please leave me a message letting me know you were here

Big Revenge

Love it , this football loving gal headed to the game after leaving her ex-boyfriend on the couch. Thats one way to show him not to mess with her. Read the full story here

Free Issue American Baby

Zantac coupon

Many of us may need a bit of relief from heartburn during the holidays. Hit the banner above and save $3 off Zantac

Hot Pockets Coupon

 This is an awesome coupon. It will come in handy while the kids are out of school or throw into a lunch sack and take to work You can find this deal


$1.00 off when you buy any SIX 7.5 oz or larger of HOT POCKETS® Brand Items

Deer Day and a Recipe

Since 1965 the deer has been celebrated with a parade and even a deer king here in Southern Illinois The true celebration is to draw attention to the awesome deer hunting opportunities here in the beautiful area sorrounding the Shawnee National Forest. If you are a deer hunter and looking for some awesome way to cook up the meat that you gain from your hunting experience then check out this recipe for a delicious meal in the crockpot

3 stalks celery, diced

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

 2 pounds venison stew meat

salt and pepper to taste

dried oregano to taste

dried basil to taste

1 cup tomato sauce

1/2 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup water 

 Place the celery, onion, garlic, and parsley in the bottom of a slow cooker. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown the venison well in two batches, and add to the slow cooker. Season to taste with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Pour in the tomato sauce, red wine, and water. Cook on Low for 7 to 10 hours.              

recipe source : All Recipes  

shared at
stumble tumble tuesday 

NorthWoods Bean Soup

Each year our family will partake in a New Years Day ritual and this year will be no different. One way that we celebrate is by fixing a large pan of beans. If this is a yearly ritual for you or you want to start a new one you may want to try this delicious recipe and remember to serve it on New Years Day

Cooking spray
1 cup baby carrots, halved
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
7 ounces turkey kielbasa, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 (15.8-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 (6-ounce) bag fresh baby spinach leaves

Heat a large saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onion, garlic, and kielbasa; sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium; cook 5 minutes. Add the broth, Italian seasoning, pepper, and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
Place 2 cups of the soup in a food processor or blender, and process until smooth. Return the pureed mixture to pan. Simmer an additional 5 minutes. Remove soup from heat. Add the spinach, stirring until spinach wilts.

Prince LionHeart Giveaway at MomSpotted

Prince Lionheart the makers of wonderful products that every little one needs and wants. Right now there are several different blogs that are hosting giveaways where you can win some great products. The blog MomSpotted is one of the blogs where you can enter to win a prize pack consisting of

Hurry and enter this giveaway where you can win all three of these great items before the giveaway ends December 26, 2011

Grandma Used To Make Cookies Like THese

Grandma used to make cookies and since I recently found the recipe on Pioneer Woman website I will be making them for the teens as well.

Feeling Under Weather? Try Some Tea

My mother always told me that a good cup of tea would sooth the pain away. Whether the weather has you down, you have allergies, or the dry heat of the furnace makes your throat dry as well. Mom was right and a good cup of tea will help you feel better. Next time you are not feeling so well try a cup of one of these combinations:

HEALTHY GREENS For a full-bodied flavor, you might try steeping a combination of dandelion leaves, watercress, parsley, and birch leaves.
BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS Consider using a colorful mixture of rose petals, dandelion blossoms, pansies, and violets for good taste and appearance.
NOBLE FRAGRANCES Combine chives, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, verbena, oregano, and mint with flowers such as lemon blossoms and lilac.
Herbal remedies can be administered — and enjoyed — in many ways, but when boiling water is poured over herbs, the plants' soluble organic compounds are easily broken down. The resulting fragrances are an indication of the herbs' inherent therapeutic qualities.



Source: Homemade Herbal Teas - Country Living

Mock Sangria

2 cups orange juice, chilled                                                
1 cup unsweetened white grape juice, chilled                                                
1 cup reduced-calorie cranberry juice
1 1-liter bottle diet lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilled                                                 
ice cubes
2 cups assorted fresh fruit (such as oranges, cut into wedges; thinly sliced and halved lemons and/or limes; pineapple wedges; seedless red or green grapes; sliced, peeled and pitted peaches; and halved strawberries)                                                
Fresh mint sprig

• In a large bowl or pitcher, stir together chilled orange juice, white grape juice, and cranberry juice.
• Add the lemon-lime beverage; stir gently. Fill each of 10 glasses about two-thirds full with ice. Divide fruit among glasses. Pour juice mixture into glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. Makes 8 (about 8-ounce) servings.

recipe source http://recipes.bhg.com


shared at
Knick of Time Tuesday

Baked Spaghetti

1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1 jar (24 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

2 eggs

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

5 tablespoons butter, melted

2 cups (16 ounces) 4% cottage cheese

4 cups (16 ounces) part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain spaghetti; add to egg mixture and toss to coat. Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Top with half of the cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 10 servings.

recipe source : Taste of Home

Sausage Stuffed Mushroom

24 large fresh mushrooms
1 lb. bulk Italian sausage
1/2 cup of chopped green onions
1 cup of spaghetti sauce
1 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded

Remove mushroom stems; set caps aside. Chop stems; set aside. In a skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; remove with a slotted spoon. In the drippings, saute onions and mushroom stems. Stir in spaghetti sauce and sausage. Stuff into mushroom caps. Sprinkle with cheese. Place in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

recipe source : My Daily Moment

Tuesday Blog Hop

 Oh another day to bounce about among some of my favorite blogs If you bounce by here then please let me know by leaving a comment

 find some great giveaways here this week will be putting up a few of my own


 love making new friends how about you?