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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Aloha Friday

Well, I am a day late on this favorite meme of mine. Aloha Friday is a meme that celebrates an easy day before the weekend. The goal is to ask easy questions that can be answered with an easy answer by other bloggers.

this week at our family meeting we discussed ideas that we wanted to do this summer. Our family has had family meetings for as long as they were old enough to talk and make decisions. They were for rules, planning meals, extra events and such Now that they are all older we don't have them as often but we do still have them. At our meeting this week we discussed summer plans. The one thing that they all brough up and wanted to do was have a picnic and play red rover red rover. LOL so this week my aloha friday (asked on saturday) question is


What childhood or event do you have good memories of doing?


Mornings in our house are fast paced grab something to eat on the way for breakfast and run out the door. All to often what the teens and I grab are not the best for us. Recently I had the chance to sig up for te "Five Days of Belvita Breakfast" challenge. I thought that this would be good for everyone because none of us ever take the time to eat right in the morning. It was in this campaign that I would be introduced to the delicious belvita breakfast bars. I personally had never heard of these but when they came in the mail the hubby was the first one to try them wanting to do so because he had seen them on T.V. We all were pleasantly surprised to see what a great taste they had.




BelVita sent us a box of each flavor of their breakfast biscuits. Flavors included blueberry, Golden Oat, and Apple Cinnamon These little treats are the texture of a cookie so very yummy. The apple cinnamon is my favorite. The teens each seemed to have their personal favorite flavor with the blueberry being the winner in the house.

BelVita Breakfast Biscuits provide not only a great taste but also 18 to 20 grams of whole grains per serving, a great source of fiber and four B vitamins. The best thing is there is no high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, or artificial flavors or sweeteners in the biscuits.

My BelVita Breakfast Challenge:

as I shared before our routine breakfast was the style of grab n go. While the Belvita Breakfast Biscuits are not meant to substiture for a full breakfast they were better than what we were eating on the go. They were also awesome for my diet as I knew what I was taken in and how many calories I was using up while enjoying a healthy  breakfast.

Visit belVita Breakfast Biscuits on Facebook For more information

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of belVita Breakfast Biscuits and received belVita Breakfast product samples to facilitate my review, and a promotional item to thank me for participating

Five Question Friday

1. What giveaway would you like to do on your blog?
I would love to do a giveaway for a trip for childrens clothes. I just love how wonderful some of the styles are

2. If you had to choose between natural artistic ability and natural athletic ability, which would it be?
well since athletic ability would help me in my job that is the one I would chose

3. Do you ditch the coat the minute it becomes "spring" or are you a holdout for more cool temps?

yes I do ditch the coat I have several nice sweaters and those help me on the cooler days

4. What would you do if you won the mega millions lotto of 1/2 billion dollars?

Oh my family would be set with no more worries then I would give part to charity as well

5. You are at a hotel by yourself...what do you do?
take a nap

Friday, March 30, 2012

Resurrection Eggs

5 plastic eggs of various colors
Picture of a donkey (print one from your computer)
Goldfish cracker, or other cracker your child likes to eat
2 small nails
Small rock (grab one from the yard)

Hopefully you should have most of the items already so if you have to buy the eggs the whole activity should cost around $1.

Now, download the scripture and story about each egg and have fun. If your family is like ours you might want to make a set for each kid.They love to open the eggs themselves and eventually will love tell you the story.


















For the Kids Friday Motivate Me MondayCutesy Monday
Check Me Out Saturday             Tackle It Tuesday 
Whats New Wednesday The Stuff of Success

Keep Summers Drinks Cool

Entertaining or just want to keep you summer drink Cool Try this tip. Slice lemon and place in muffin pan then pour water over to cool freeze and you have a tasty way to keep drinks cool

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spring linkyFriday Fun Finds

Sunshine On My Shoulders



Song topped the pop charts on March 30, 1974 "Sunshine On My Shoulders" was John Denver's attempt to write a sad song, which is really all one needs to know in order to understand what made Denver so appealing to so many. "I was so down I wanted to write a feeling-blue song," he told Seventeen magazine in 1974, "[but] this is what came out." Originally released on his 1971 album Poems, Prayers and Promises, Denver's lovely ode to the restorative powers of sunlight only became a smash hit when re-released on his John Denver's Greatest Hits album in late 1973—an album that went on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Chilli

  • 2 15.5-ounce cans kidney beans, rinsed
  • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 12 ounces lager beer
  • 3/4 pound beef chuck, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 to 3 teaspoons chopped chipotles in adobo sauce
  • kosher salt
  • corn bread, sour cream, grated Cheddar, chopped red onion, and fresh cilantro sprigs, for serving

  • In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, mix together the beans, tomatoes and their juices, beer, beef, yellow onion, garlic, tomato paste, flour, chili powder, chipotles, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until the beef is tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours (this will shorten total recipe time). Serve with the corn bread, sour cream, Cheddar, red onion, and cilantro.

    Low-Carb Fruit and Salmon Lettuce Wraps

    I grew up in the 70s and 80s and one thing that my mother fixed for us in the warm weather as to not heat up the house was sandwiches and salads. Time before the microwave and the easy ways to cook that we know now there were salads. This salad recipe from Chicken of the Sea would have been something my mom would have made for us


    Dressing: 3/4 cup mayonnaise
    2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed key lime juice
    1 packet artificial sweetener
    1 Tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
    1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

    Salad:2 (6 oz.) pouches Chicken of the Sea® Premium Skinless & Boneless Pink Salmon Pouch
    3/4 cup macadamia nuts, toasted
    8 large Boston lettuce leaves, washed and pat dry
    1/2 cup coconut, toasted
    8 sprigs fresh mint leaves
    1 basket fresh raspberries
    1 1/2 cups diced cantaloupe

    In medium size mixing bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together until well blended. Gently fold in Chicken of the Sea® Salmon, cantaloupe, raspberries and macadamia nuts into dressing. Fill each lettuce leaf with salmon mixture. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Garnish with mint sprigs. Makes 8 servings

    The ArtsyGirl Connection

    March 29, date in history ---- Withdraw from Vietnam failed

    America spent period of time in what some called police action and many others referred to as teh Vietnam War. My father in law was one of the American boys fighting for wha our country believed in. A high number of U.S. casualties, exposure of U.S. involvemet in war crimes, and the media changed our country in a way. On March 29, 1973 Americas last troops were to be moved out of the country and yet even while this was getting under way plans changed when rules to a cease fire battle started It would not be til the end of April 1975 that the last few Americans were airlifted out of the country as Saigon fell to the communist. The Vietnam War was the longest ad most unpopular foreign war in U.S. history, cost 58,000 American lives and changed many Americans Forever

    Wednesday, March 28, 2012

    JellyPop Shoes





    Want to look good this summer and have a bit of fun? Then you will have to check out the great looks of JellyPop shoes. Jellypop shoes were launched in 2009 by Jennet Chow. They are designed for the customer who is flirty, spunky and free spirited. Jellypop shoes are fun for the weekend and also perfect for day to day life. They are the solution to provide feminine, fresh styles, and are comfortable, affordable and high quality. Jellypop shoes are high quality shoes that provide a good look as well. Shoes like the

    Annual is a style of shoe that makes it easy to look good in the summer. The coral cork offers a fresh color pop that is sure to help bring life to all spring wardrobes.



    The Anasta pairs up white fabric with cork to make a flatform wedge with lots of spirit. These are the type of shoes that I love to wear in the summer because they are easy to slip off to walk in the green fresh grass or along the beach.

    Roasted Banana Bars

    Bars:
    2 cups sliced ripe banana (about 3 medium)
    1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
    1 tablespoon butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
    9 ounces cake flour (about 2 1/4 cups)
    3/4 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1/2 cup butter, softened
    1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
    2 large eggs
    Baking spray with flour
    Frosting:
    1/4 cup butter
    2 cups powdered sugar
    1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

    Preheat oven to 400°.To prepare bars, combine banana, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 400° for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. Cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°.  Weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 9 ounces (about 2 1/4 cups) flour, soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl. Place 1/2 cup butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs to granulated sugar mixture; mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour batter into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with baking spray. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. 

    To prepare frosting, melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Combine browned butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with pecans.


    recipe source : My Recipes

    shared at


    Making

    Mowing Season

    shared at
    Wordless Wednesday @ 5 Minutes for Mom
    Special Exposure Wednesday

    We Are Here

    After experiencing a tornado in our town Feb. 29, 2012 the town came together in support of each other. There was no government help such as FEMA or other we just pulled together and got it done. This is the chief of the fire department and a good friend of mine John standing by a sign in front of the fire department letting all know We Are Here

    Shared at

    Tuesday, March 27, 2012

    My New Vintage Purchase

    This is my new vintage purchase. I love this old highchair the kind that Grandma had. She would tie the little ones in with a towel to make sure that they did not fall. It was not to be played with and only used when the little one was eating.

    Macarthur by Mitchell Yockelson


  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 19, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1595552928
  • ISBN-13: 978-1595552921

  • MacArthur was a leader of men. He challenged his troops, inspired a nation, and confounded presidents. Through three wars Douglas MacArthur would shape the world. In World War I he would watch over the western front and in World War II MacArthur would embodied the strength and spirit of the U.S. Army. He would be relieved of his duty as a general during the Korean War and would return to a ticker tape parade in New York City to show the appreciation the U.S. held for him. He led a life to be proud of for sure always keeping in mind his grandfathers words of wisdom to always "be a gentlema ad scholar and above all else, honorable." He was famous for three simple but strong words "I Shall Return."

    I have since a child admired history and because of that my son, the college student, loves it as well. This book I reviewed and shared with him as I believe that MacArthur to me was not only a strong general but an awesome mom. As I thought it was an awesome book to read and share with my son. If you are a history buff or appreciate and love our country then you need to check this book out.

    Spring Colored Meringue Cookies

    Are these not super cute. Perfect in all the pastel for spring and Easter. Check recipe out here

    Tortellini with Edamame and Smoked Sausage



      1 pound frozen cheese tortellini
      1 cup shelled edamame*
      1 cup diced red pepper
      1 pound smoked sausage
      1/2 cup Italian dressing
    Set 6 quarts of salted water to boil in a large pot.
    Meanwhile, chop red pepper and slice the smoked sausage into 1/4 inch-thick rounds.
    Stir-fry red pepper and sausage together until heated through -- about 5 minutes.
    Add tortellini to boiling water and cook for 5 minutes.
    Add edamame to water and boil for another 2 minutes. Drain tortellini and edamame well.
    Toss everything together with the Italian dressing and heat through one final time.

    recipe source : Disney Family

    shared at
    $5 dinners

    Crockpot Pizza Sauce

    Remembering the 80s with General Mills & Atari Giveaway

    I was a child of the 80s being born in the 70s That decade had many things that came to be. The Atari was the leader of the home video games to come. The only thing that I can remember coming before it is was a game called Pong. Oh but let me tell you that Atari was super fun with early games like combat and freeway kept my entire family glued to the t.v. and game.

    Target is celebrating the vintage games of Atari Big G cereals brought back with "Retro" themed packaging 80's style. Have you had a chance to see it yet? Big G Cereals will be channelling their retro roots and to help celebrate, they have partnered with Atari. Together they are bringing back classic 80 style games like asteroids, missile command ad centipede. I can remember spending hours playing each of these games.

    Participating Big G cereals such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cheerios and Cocoa Puffs are helping to celebrate Atari's 40th anniversary this year. Want to have some fun 80s style? Well check out  GrocerySavvy.com and test your online Atari gaming skills at Asteroids while also entering in a sweepstakes for chance to win Target gift cards and Atari merchandise

    MyBlogSpark sent me a package to review and one lucky winner will be able to get the same prize.



    blog hopping

    Paella

    6 cups of very strong chicken broth (bouillon)
    1/2 teaspoon of saffron
    1/4 teaspoon of smoked Spanish paprika (pimentòn de la vera)
    1 small onion, peeled
    2 small chickens, about 2-1/2 pounds each
    1/2 cup olive oil
    1/4 pound of cooking chorizo, in 1/4 inch slices
    1/4 pound piece jamón serrano (serrano ham), diced
    1 medium onion, chopped
    4 scallions, chopped
    4 tablespoons chopped garlic
    2 roasted piquillo peppers
    1 lb small or medium shrimp, shelled
    8 king crab claws; or 8 jumbo shrimp, in their shells, preferably heads
    on (for an impressive look on top of each serving)
    18 clams and/or mussels, scrubbed
    1/2 pound calamari (squid)
    2 Live lobsters,* boiled, split and divided into tail sections and claws (discard or keep the head and small claws); or 4 lobster tails, split lengthwise
    3 cups bomba or calasparra rice, or other short grain Spanish rice
    5 tablespoons chopped parsley
    2 bay leaves, crumbled
    1/2 cup dry white wine
    1/4 lb fresh or frozen peas
    Garnish: Lemon wedges and parsley

    *To save money, substitute more calamari, mussels and/or shrimp for the lobster.

    Heat the broth with the saffron, pimentón and the whole onion. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Remove the onion and measure the broth: You need exactly 5-1/2 cups. Cut the chickens into small serving pieces: the whole breast into 4 parts, each thigh into 2 parts, the bony tip of the leg chopped off, the wing tip discarded, and the rest of the wing separated into 2 parts. Dry the pieces well and sprinkle with salt. In a metal paella pan with about a 15 inch base,* heat the oil. Add the chicken pieces and fry over high heat until golden. Remove to a warm platter. Add the chorizo and ham to the pan and stir fry about 10 minutes. Add the chopped onion, scallions, garlic and pimentos and saute until the onion is wilted. Add the shrimp and the lobster and sauté about 3 minutes more, or until the shrimp and lobster barely turn pink (the lobster will cook more in the oven). Remove the shrimp and lobster to the platter with the chicken. Add the rice to the pan and stir with the oil to coat it well. Sprinkle in the 5 tablespoons of chopped parsley and the crumbled bay leaves. (You can make in advance up to this point.) Stir in the chicken broth, the wine and peas. Salt to taste. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, over medium high heat about 10 minutes. Bury the shrimp and the chicken in the rice mixture. Add the clams and the mussels, pushing them into the rice, with the edge that will open facing up. Decorate the paella with the lobster pieces, then bake uncovered at 325° for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit on top of the stove, lightly covered with foil, for about 10 minutes. To serve, decorate with lemon wedges and chopped parsley.

    recipe source here

    shared at
    It's a Blog Party

    Homemade Potato Chips



    3 medium potatoes (Idaho, Russet or Yukon Gold; or Sweet Potato)
    1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
    Salt
    Additional seasonings of choice (pepper, garlic salt, powdered cheese, chili powder, curry powder, cinnamon sugar [great on sweet potato chips]—if you can envision it, try it!)

    Peel the potatoes. With a mandoline or a thin knife, slice them 1/8" thick.
    Rinse the slices in a bowl of cold water to remove the potato starch. Change the water twice. Pat the slices thoroughly dry with paper towels.
    In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil until almost smoking (about 350°F). Add half of the potato slices and cook over moderately high heat.
    Turn the potatoes once, cooking them for about a total time of 7 minutes, or until they are golden and crisp.
    Remove the chips with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels. Repeat with remaining potato slices.
    Sprinkle with salt, pepper, or other seasonings to taste. Serve at room temperature.
    Store leftover chips in an airtight container, but consume within 2-3 days.

    Eat The Rainbow

    As part of the new me that I have been working on I put this ito play. I am also sharing it with Tackle it Tuesday
    Red there are some lovely red foods available out there. These include tomatoes, pomegranate, radishes, red bell peppers

    Orange offers some bright and nutrient loaded sweet potatoes, carrots, and oranges

     Yellow is the color of one of my favorite fruits to eat the yummy potatoes. Yellow also offers onions and potatoes. 

    Green: offers several   cancer fighting atioxidants like leafy kale which is high in vitamis and minerals that promote hearth health. Fiber rich foods will help you fill up faster, and help keep your weight in check. Greens such as leaf lettuce, spinach, bell peppers, cabbage are all valuable to your family

    Blue:   is the color of blueberries or blackberries which not only taste good but are good for you as well. They pack in those little berries potassium and vitamin c and are often a top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Berries can lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, and help reduce inflammation which leads t chroic diseases.

    Indigo   is the color of grapes which are rich in nutrients. They help fight cancer, coronary heart disease, erve disease, and Alzheimers

    Violet is the color of eggplants which are thought to protect brain cell membranes and help fight aging and cancer

    Reasons for Daylight Saving Time trivia



    1. It’s “daylight saving time,” not “daylight savings time.” Were you aware that many individuals often get this term wrong

    2. Although Ben Franklin is often associated with Daylight Saving Time he truly was the ma behind a popular article in 1784 about the changes of sleep pattern to take advantage of the sunshine. He however was not the "inventor" of time change 

    3. An english man by the name of Willett created a brochure "The Waste of Daylight" emphasizing his belief that clocks should be forwarded by 80 minutes between April and October so that people could enjoy the plentiful sunlight. 

    4. On April 30, 1916 Germany embraced daylight savig time to conserve electricity Several weeks later the U.K followed and introduced "summer time"

    5.(this one surprised me) Americans believe that daylight saving time was developed to help farmers but the truth is that the agriculture industry was deeply opposed to the time switch when it started March 31, 1918 It was always the sun not the clock, that the farmers schedule depended on Farmers found the time change to be very disruptive because it seemed that they were set an hour back ad deadlines had to be set an hour early which in nature does not happen simply because we want it to. Truthly it was the urban entities, retail outlets and recreational businesses that got the advantage of daylight saving time

    6. Not everyone in the U.S. springs forward and falls back. Hawaii and Arizona do not observe daylight saving time, The U.S. territories of America Somoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are o standard time year round