Winner WInner chicken dinner

Couple more winners to announce:


Winner Creativity for Kids shrinky dink set

FOKXXY said...
I would choose the Alien Invasion one!

Winner of the Slanket

tatertot374 said...
I like the chocolate or the wine
Thank you!

Grand Ole Opry live stream tonight

For the first time ever the Grand Ole Opry will go live stream tonight between 9 p.m and 10 p.m. EST. So cool !!!! First we watched the CMA awards where Taylor Swift came out the big winner and tonight for the first time the Grand Ole Opry makes a first of its own. MySpace and the Grand Ole Opry are teaming up for this big adventure. Appearances by Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Rodney Atkins, Jake owen and others will be featured during this time. The Grand Ole Opry has been on the air since 1925 and tonight takes it a step further. The longest running radio show can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satelite radio and opry.com

November 14 Young Readers Day

November 14, 2009 is Young Readers Day. Because reading is fundamental it is very important to make reading fun and allowthe young readers see us reading as well. Reading opens many doors that otherwise may not have been open. Books can be mysterious, funny, real life or just simple. Young readers will normally find what they like and spend time lost inside the pages of the book. Young Readers day was co-founded in 1989 by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Perhaps I can refer you to a couple of great books meant for young readers that I have reviewed

• Danny and The Dragon
• Hippocratic Press

All I want for Christmas is a Tutu for Princess

All I want for Christmas is a Tutu for Christmas and I hope I will win one by entering the giveaway located on the blog Alicia's Reviews and Giveaways being sponsored by the TutuGuru

Games For Dames giveaway

Christmas time is nearing we are looking forward to getting together with our girlfriends and may even be looking for the perfect present to give them. I can tell by first hand knowledge how fun games for dames can be. Please read the previous review that I posted on my blog for the Games for Dames game What's A Dame To Do here I can tell you that if you are looking for a wonderful game that will start conversations that may not have started, have old friends talking for hours and just make the night with great friends great then you are looking for the game What's A Dame To Do.

What's A Dame To DO allows us to see outside the box we live in and allows us to see that we are more alike than what we think. Those daily dilemmas that we go through every day and the way that we deal with the situation can be so funny when you share those thoughts together as friends. What's A Dame To Do is a game that allows us to see what we face daily is what others face as well.

Buy: you can buy the board game What's A Dame To Do on their website, Amazon and visit this link to find other retailers http://www.gamesfordames.com/retailers.html

Win: the lovely ladies from What's A Dame To DO want to offer one of Annie's Home readers the chance to win a game of their own.

To Enter: To enter share one of your "oops moments" you know one of those moments when something unexpected happens and you are just not sure what to do how do you handle such situations?

Extra Entries:

• visit the website www.gamesfordames.com share one of the rules of the game
• follow my blog
• subscribe to my blog (2 entries)
• grab my button and let me know where you place it (5 entries)
• follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway (1 entry per tweet) link in comment
• join whats a dame to do mailing list (2 entries)
• follow whats a dame to do on facebook (2 entries)
• blog about the giveaway (5 entries) place link in comment

Contest starts now and will run through December 14, 2009. Good Luck Email must be in comment or on your blog

Relish giveaway

What's for dinner? No idea? Don't even want to think about it? Well, head over to the giveaway that Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys is having featuring Relish! - a way-cool meal-planning service for busy moms. You can win a one-year subscription and not have to wonder what's for dinner! This is a fantastic giveaway that you won't want to miss. Stop by before 11:59pm ET on December 1st and enter to win!

win a carseat

Jolly Mom is hosting giveaway for a Evenflo Triumph car seat. These are super nice and value at around $130. Sound like you want in? Well head over to Jolly Mom blog before November 27, 2009 and enter this great giveaway

Great Giveaways on Simply Stacie blog

There are a couple of great giveaways currently on Simply Stacies blog.

• giveaway for Bright Star soundtrack and book of poems This contest is only opened to those in 48 states U.S. and will end November 20, 2009
• giveaway for blackbird jewelry set from etsy shop Bird In Flight Contest ends November 27, 2009

Either of these would make super christmas gifts. so hurry on over and enter to win.

Winner Alert

The winner of the charm factory giveaway is Leslie from the blog Live Love Laugh with Leslie Giveaways

Leslie said...
I blogged :)

http://livelovelaughwithlesliegiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/10/charm-factory-charm-bracelet-giveaway.html

Happy Green Bee inventory sale

Happy Green Bee has a great sale going on at this time but will end super soon on Sunday the 15th of November. Hurry over and check out Happy Green Bee and the 50% off inventory reduction sale Use the promotion sale BIG SALE to take advantage of this great savings.

Winner announcement

The winner of the Yoplait yogurt prize pack is Kayshem.

kayshem said...
I subscribe to your blog.

Kayshem has been emailed and has 3 days to respond

Heart N Soul Cooking: CHRISTMAS RAINBOW COOKIES#links#links

Heart N Soul Cooking: CHRISTMAS RAINBOW COOKIES#links#links

You may want to check out these delicous looking and sounding cookies

Giveaways Ending Soon

Dont Forget to enter these giveaways ending soon:
charm factory

slanket

shrinky dinks

Healthy Fall Meal : Pork Medallions with Cranberry Chutney

Pork Medallions with Cranberry Chutney

1 cup fresh cranberries or 1/2 cup canned whole cranberry sauce
1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider
1/4 cup snipped dried figs
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar or granulated sugar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 ounces pork tenderloin
1/4 teaspoon salt-free herb seasoning
Nonstick cooking spray
Hot cooked brown or long grain rice (optional)

For chutney: In a heavy small saucepan, stir together cranberries or cranberry sauce, apple juice, figs, sugar, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes or until chutney reaches desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Meanwhile, trim fat from pork. Cut pork crosswise into 12 pieces, each about 1 inch thick. Press each piece with the palm of your hand to an even thickness. Sprinkle herb seasoning evenly over pork. Coat an unheated large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat over medium-high heat. Cook pork in hot skillet for 2 to 3 minutes or until pork is slightly pink in center and juices run clear, turning once halfway through cooking time.

Serve pork medallions over hot cooked rice, if desired. Spoon some of the warm chutney over pork. Pass remaining chutney.


This is a fall meal that pleases my family and I found on the Hearth Healthy Website quick to fix and sure to please.

Pork Barrel BBQ review

One of my favorite shows this summer/beginning of fall was the wonderful Shark Tank where wonderful rich investors were there ready to help out those who were brave enough to enter the shark tank and test the waters to see if their invention/product held up to the sharks enough for them to invest. One of the great products that cam out of this was the Pork Barrel BBQ and here is a clip from that show.

The wonderful Pork Barrel BBQ was a hit at our house and we truly loved the flavor packed in the bottle of sauce and the seasoning. If you have a barbq fan on your Christmas list this would be the perfect gift for them. Not only is Pork Barrell BBQ sauce great tasting but it is also very economical. For only $10 you can get the picnic pack of Pork Barrel BBQ sauce which includes a bottle of the BBQ sauce and a jar of the rub.

Pork Barrel BBQ was created by two US senate staffers who while working late dreamed of good BBQ. While listened to hours of debates on pork barrel spending the name of the barbq sauce and spice was born. These two staffers would create wonderful products that carried the name Pork Barrel BBQ. This national award winning Pork Barrel BBQ sauce and spice rub are great on meats, fish, poultry and vegetables that are being grilled, smoked or barbecued. The best part is that this All American tasting product has no preservatives or MSG.


Just in time for Thanksgiving the Pork Barrel BBQ website shares delicious recipes such as

Pork Barrel BBQ Smoked Turkey

1 Turkey (12-16 pound)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6 bottles of beer
6-8 tablespoons of Pork Barrel BBQ All American Spice Rub (depending on the size of your bird)

Clean turkey and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub olive oil onto the turkey and then rub Pork Barrel BBQ All American Spice Rub into the turkey (make sure you get rub on the entire turkey). Let turkey set for 30 minutes while you get your smoker ready.

Light your fire and get the smoker ready to cook. Place a drip pan under the location the turkey will sit on your grill and pour the beer into it. Once your smoker reaches a temperature range of 225 to 240 degrees place the turkey in your smoker breast side up. Once the turkey is in the smoker load your smoker up with a 70/30 combination of hickory and oak.

Cooking time will vary on the size of your bird, but plan on 30-45 minutes per pound. Make certain that your smoker remains in the 225-240 degree range for the duration of smoking. After the fourth hour there is no need to add additional wood unless that is your temperature source. We recommend using hardwood lump charcoal.

The turkey is done when its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes and then carve.

Prep Time – 15 minutes
Cook Time – 1 hour & 15 minutes
Yields 4 to 6 servings

To find more wonderful recipes and order some Pork Barrel BBQ products visit their website at http://www.porkbarrelbbq.com

Vegetable Casserole for fall or thanksgiving recipe

The blog Tasty Eats at Home is hosting a special meme known as Holiday Food Fest. This will run weekly on Thursdays through November and December. Please visit to see what wonderful recipes are shared as well as to add your own. This weeks addition is for what you will serve for thanksgiving or a favorite fall dish. The recipe I share covers both well and is one of my hubbys favorite recipes.

Vegetable casserole

1 can Veg-All, drained
1 c. onion, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
1 can water chestnuts, sliced
1 c. Hellmann's mayonnaise
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 stick butter, melted
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 c cooked diced chicken
20 Ritz crackers, crushed

Combine vegetables, mayonnaise and soup; place in casserole dish and top with mixture of butter and Worcestershire sauce. Cover with cracker crumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
.

Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies recipe

Thanksgiving Cookies

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
1 container (16 oz) chocolate creamy frosting
Candy corn
Orange decorating icing
Black decorating gel
Miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Bake cookies as directed on roll. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
2. Spoon chocolate frosting into resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small hole in bottom corner of bag. On each cookie, pipe frosting on outer edge of half of cookie. Arrange candy corn over frosting for feathers.
3. Pipe orange icing onto each cookie to resemble turkey face and feet. Use orange icing to attach baking bits to turkey face for eyes. Pipe black gel on baking bits for centers of eyes.

We have made these cookies following the Pillsbury recipe shown above or our own sugar cookie dough. Even the youngest can help and it is always lots of fun.

sharing recipe on the blog Feels Like Home

Stride Running Bike giveaway

Stride Running Bike is a super cool bike that even the littlest ones can learn to ride. In fact if they can walk and hold the bike up then they can ride. Super cool beginning bike is one that I have on the want list for my lil Princess. The blog J. Leigh Designz is hosting giveaway for the Stride Running Bike. The contest runs through Dec 2, 2009

Halo SleepSacks review and giveaway

October was SIDS awareness month but all year long we should be aware of the signs and knowledgeable of SIDS. Halo SleepSacks is one product that wants to inform consumers about SIDS and the sleepsacks that help to prevent the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome known as SIDS.

Halo Innovations the makers of the SleepSack wearable blanket is dedicated to creating healthier and safer sleeping environment for adults and children. The founder of Halo, William Schmid, lost his own child to the terrible disease SIDS and wanted to help make a safer sleeping environment to help prevent this from happening to another family. Our own family went through an early death such as this and I strongly believe in the Halo SleepSack and the goodness it can do. The Halo Innovations donate a portion of the proceeds they make from selling their product to the First Candle/SIDS Alliance and the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths to fund ongoings SIDS research, education and family support

HALO has placed several tips to keep your infant safe and help protect them on their website as well as their facebook page. Both the website and the facebook page offer tips for safe slip practices. Useful information for you to help protect and care for your infant is valuable resources.

We have used Halo SleepSacks with our lil princess and will continue to use them until she outgrows them. The reason being that they keep her warm and comfortable without the use of the needless loose blankets that get knocked off of her and may accidentally smother her. The Halo SleepSack that we have is very warm as if we are placing her inside of sleeping bag but without danger or it covering her face.

Buy: you can purchase a Halo SleepSack off their website located at https://www.halosleep.com/

Win: One of Annie's Home readers will win a Halo SleepSack

Enter giveaway by visiting the Halo SleepSack website and letting me know something that I did not share with you.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• subscribe to my blog
• follow Halo Sleep Sack on twitter
• fan Halo Sleep Sack on facebook
• grab my button and leave the link in comment where you drop it (5 entries)
• follow my blog on twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet) link in comments
• blog about the giveaway linking to my blog and Halo SleepSacks (5 entries)

Contest starts now and runs through December 6, 2009. Email must be in comment or on blog. Good luck

I did receive a sample Halo SleepSack. These are my thoughts you may or may not agree with me.

Write Santa A Letter Week

Did you know this is Write Santa A Letter Week? Well I can say that I did not I also did not know many of the other strange days that can be found on the blog Fairy God Mother at this post

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans to those who have served, those who are serving and the families who support them

wordless wednesday

one of my favorite pictures of me and her momma and a picture of the state building in vandalia and me and princess visiting this past summer.

for more great pictures visit 5 minutes for mom

Book review: Danny the Dragon "Meets Jimmy"

Danny The Dragon "Meets Jimmy"


by Tina Turbin





Finding goods books to read for our little ones is a job of being a mommy that I take seriously. The book Danny The Dragon "Meets Jimmy" by Tina Turbin is a wonderful book in my opinion. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and helps young children imagine the story on a personal level. After all who would not want to have a cool best friend who travels every where with you? Danny the Dragon is that true friend that shares a journey with a young friend. Danny the Dragon is a second place finisher in the AZ literary contest and book award of 2009.



The author of the book Danny The Dragon "Meets Jimmy" is Tina Turbin. Tina is interested in actively issues relating to children, entertainment, families, mothers and women in society, the environment and is a mother as well. At the age of 16 Tina wrote her first book and since then the passion for writing children's books continues to grow. Tina has been surrounded by the arts for her entire life.

Tina created the character of Danny the Dragon because of her passion to delight children and their families with magic, fun and imagination in children of all stages. Tina's dream was to help the flame of life to burn as bright for older folks as it does for the young. What a wonderful thought and the reason that I love reading so much. Reading allows us to go where ever we want, meet who we want and to imagine as we please.

Danny The Dragon is available at Amazon.com for 8.95 for soft cover and would make the perfect gift for any little dreamer in your life.

Wow Wow Wubbzy Christmas dvd giveaway

The blog The Not SO blog is hosting giveaway for the dvd Wow Wow Wubbzy christmas adventure. THis looks like a very cool dvd and would provide for hours of fun. She has several ways to enter and the contest will run through November 29, 2009.

Yo Gabba Gabba giveaway

There's a Party on Her Blog! Head over to the giveaway that Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys is having featuring Yo Gabba Gabba! You can win the new Music is... Awesome CD and the Christmas in Gabba Land book. You won't want to miss this giveaway! Stop by before 11:59pm ET on November 11th and enter to win!

twitter question

I recently had a question from one of my loyal readers about tweeting the giveaways on my blog and how many times per day. The limit will be set at one per hour allowing any one who wants to to help spread the word on twitter and gain several extra entries

Stonyfield Yo Baby Prize Pack Giveaway

Stonyfield Yo Baby

Stonyfield Yo Baby turned 10 years old this last summer and the goodness is continuing on strong as ever. Yo Baby meals are delicious 3 in 1 combination meal packed full of protein and included a yogurt + fruit + veggie puree in one cup. They are a great way for busy moms to help give their babies and toddlers a trio of important food groups at every meal. YoBaby Meals help the busy mom to maintain a nutritional diet for their young child by providing more than 35% toddler's daily protein and calcium needs in one grab n go cup. What a super way to get your child to eat those veggies that they otherwise may not eat.

The makers of Yo Baby is Stonyfield Farm. Stonyfield Farm celebrated 26 years in business recently and leads the world in organic yogurt company. Stonyfield Farm distributes yogurt, smoothies, milk, cultured soy, frozen yogurt and ice cream nationally. Stonyfield Farms believes that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet. Using organic ingredients allows Stonyfields to help keep over 100,000 farm acres free of toxic, persistent pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Stonyfield has also taken measures to help reduce global warming and donates 10% of its profits to efforts that help protect and restore the earth.

To help celebrate Yo Baby and its 10 year milestone Stonyfield Yo Baby wants to offer one of Annie's Home readers the chance to win the prize pack shown below.

The prize pack includes:

• 1 Yobaby travel bowl with lid
  1 Yobaby organic cotton bib
  1 Eric Carle growth chart
  3 free Yobaby Meals coupons

To enter the giveaway you must visit the Stonyfield Website and let me know something that I did not share in this review.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• subscribe to my blog
• grab my button and place it somewhere let me know where (5 entries)
• place me on your blog roll (5 entries)
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway you must use @shopannies (1 entry per tweet)
• blog about the giveaway linking to my blog and stonyfield (5 entries) link in comment

Contest starts now and will run through December 3, 2009 Please remember email in comment or on blog. Good Luck Giveaway open to US only

Bake Me A Wish cake giveaway

The holidays are quickly approaching and not all of us will find the time to make those scrumptious desserts that our family desires. The blog One2Try is hosting a giveaway for this delicious looking holiday cake from Bake Me a Wish.

The giveaway runs through November 24, 2009

Winner of the Moms R The Best Tee

The winner of the Moms R The Best Tee is.....


Traci Fritz said...
follow moms r the best blog.

If you did not win remember you can still get one on thier website located at http://momsrthebest.com/

French Fry Pie

French Fry Pie

4 cups frozen shoe-string French fries
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 14-ounce jar marinara sauce

1.Heat oven to 425° F.
2.Spread the fries on a baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes.
3.Meanwhile, cook the ground beef in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until no trace of pink remains, 8 to 10 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat. Add the marinara sauce and cook until warmed through.
4.Transfer to an 8-by-11-inch or 8-inch-square baking dish. Top with the fries. If desired, return to oven for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

recipe found on the real simple newsletter

Homestyle Stuffing recipe

Homestyle Stuffing

1/2 cup Shedd's Spread Country Crock® Omega Plus Light
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
4 cups seasoned cube stuffing mix
4 cups cubed multi-grain bread
1 can (14.5 oz.) chicken broth, heated
1 egg, slightly beaten
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 2-quart casserole with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt Shedd's Spread Country Crock® Omega Plus Light over medium heat and cook onion, carrots and celery, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until tender.

In large bowl, combine vegetables, stuffing mix, bread and broth. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in egg. Turn into prepared casserole. Bake 40 minutes or until golden.


For Homestyle Sausage Stuffing, add 1 lb. crumbled Italian turkey sausage and 10 oz. sliced mushrooms to skillet with vegetables.

For Homestyle Cranberry Stuffing, add 1/2 cup dried cranberries to broth while heating.

recipe borrowed from the website making life better .com

Ornament Exchange

Pampering Becki is having an ornament exchange to help not only celebrate the holidays but to also help bring us mom bloggers closer together. Sounds like lots of fun. If you would like to join in the fun head over to the blog Pampering Becki and sign up. The deadline to sign up is November 12, 2009.

Huggies diaper sample

Walmart has another great giveaway currently going on. Head over to the website by following this link
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid76540.aspx to get your free sample.

What email function are you

You Are Reply

You are friendly, caring, and warm. What goes on in your friends' lives matters to you. You are an excellent listener, and you give good advice. Lots of people seek your input, and you're more than happy to give it. You believe that social ties are important, and you never ignore a friend. You communicate as often as possible with those you love. You always have words of encouragement, support, or follow up questions. You are gifted at keeping the conversation flowing.

What Email Function Are You?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

4 generation picture

January 2008:
one of my favorite pictures 4 generations me, my mom, my daughter and granddaughter and just look at all the blue in the picture

We Take The Cake review

I was so excited to review one of the best tasting, sweetest reviews I have ever posted on my blog. The We Take the Cake allowed us to choose which cake we would love to try and then sent the cake to my house. The cake arrived in a box just like any other product would but when I read the label on the box I knew we were in for a treat. The night that the package arrived we were in a hustle trying to get to where we needed to go so the cake which arrived frozen and wrapped nicely with dry ice to keep it chilled was popped into the freezer for just a few more days.

For a very long time my husband had been wanting a red velvet cake and at last his wish would be met. The We Take The Cake company had sent us a lovely red velvet cake that was scrumptiously delicious. The best part was that it had arrived at our house I did not have to looking at the delis or bakeries to see if they had one. That is one convenience that I love about the company We Take The Cake. It helps a busy mom out when a cake is needed for the special celebration or occasion.

From the super cute Sesame Street cupcakes available in the We Take The Cake store to the
We Take The Cake red velvet layer cake that we received to the many other delicious items that are available either online from We Take The Cake or in their shop are all delicious and pleasing to the eye and palate both.

The owner of WE Take The Cake was a customer herself who loved the concept and products so much that she bought the shop. To me that only goes to state how great We Take The Cake was.

Buy: you can order a variety of cakes and cupcakes directly off the We Take The Cake website at http://www.wetakethecake.com/

I heart faces

This week at I heart faces the objective is thankfulness

Here are just a few of the people I am thankful for all of my family and dear friends help make my life so much better

Natures Gate review

Natures Gate:

Recently we received the opportunity to review Natures Gate hygiene products. The scent of these products we received were terrific and after learning a bit about the company came as no surprise. Thirty (30) years of experience of nature and health products they have created a reputation for creating terrific products that also are great for the earth. All of the Natures Gate products reflect ongoing efforts to preserve the earths natural resources by being environmentally friendly and cruelty free.

We received a few of the Natures Gate body washes to test and let me tell you they smell great and I love them all. In fact upon receiving I smelled the delicious aromas and knew at once that they would be great. I showered with the body wash and also loved the performance. It lathered up well and worked great.

Buy you can purchase the Nature Gate body washes or any of the other great products on their website located at http://www.natures-gate.com

Make Ahead Cranberry Relish recipe

One thing I love about thanksgiving is the cranberry relish. here is a recipe that will give you a few extra minutes as well

Cranberry Orange Relish

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup orange juice
16 ounces cranberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 to 3/4 cup orange marmalade
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro (optional)

1.In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the ginger and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the sugar, orange juice, and cranberries.
2.Cook until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in the marmalade to taste (depending on desired sweetness). Turn off heat. Stir in the pepper and cilantro just before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This recipe was borrowed from the Real Simple website where you can find 24 other make ahead recipes Making Thanksgiving even easier

Happy Homemaker Monday

hhm src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3608789834_4d1bac04e0.jpg" width=150 height=150>
The weather in my neck of the woods:
it is a lovely warm autumn day today with a little outcast over the sky

One of my simple pleasures:
being able to blog this week has been a pleasure of mine

On my bedside table:
puzzles, medicine of nephew and my bible


On my TV:
the view

On the menu for tonight:
sloppy mom sandwiches, corn, potatos, red velvet cake


On my To Do List:
laundry

clean bedrooms

send card to son

fill out forms


New Recipe I tried last week:
Peanut Brownie Cup Brownies

In the craft basket:
holiday placemats

Looking forward to:
Thanksgiving and visiting my granddaughter Princess

Homemaking Tip for this week:
garbage disposal cleaning


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
love this post on teaching children lesson on giving

Favorite photo from last week:

this is a great autumn picture and think it is so funny that my oldest daughter that lives at home and my youngest son holding hands

Lesson learned the past few days:
I learned that sometimes when you are down and not for sure how to go on family and best friends are definetly the key to happiness. I am so happy to be blessed with the family and friends God has provided for me

On my Prayer List:
several good friends who are in the hospital for different reasons

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

I learned a verse just the other day but can not find the refrence right now but it says do not worry about tommorow because each day brings its own worries. This has been my prayer focus as of late

Necco candies

Do you remember any of your old time favorite candies? Well I can tell you that Necco's were not only one of my favorites but my husbands as well. The simple flavored wafer candy when given to my two nephews lit up their eyes as well.

The NECCO company itself is 150+ years old having its early start in 1847. NECCO which stands for the New England Confectionery Company is the oldest multi-line candy company in the U.S. Besides the NECCO wafers that I have all ready praised the company makes Sweethearts conversation hearts that we share during February and valentines day, The candy bars such as Mary Jane and Clark as well as other sweet treats.

While I received a sample box of the NECCO's you can find the wonderful NECCO candies most anywhere candies are sold however if for any reason your local store does not sell NECCO you can always request that they do.

I blog, therefore I am: Lesson Plan- (Pre K - K): Thank you God

I blog, therefore I am: Lesson Plan- (Pre K - K): Thank you God

Planning Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanking God is a daily tradition in our house but their is a yearly tradition as well. Thanksgiving is the day to give thanks and while the dinner and festivities may not take long at all the planning, shopping, cooking and the work behind the scenes may go on for weeks. It is very beneficial to plan ahead because planning ahead allows you to prepare your self for the large Holiday. Today in Sunday School I asked the group of first graders what their family normally does for Thanksgiving. One little girl told me her mama does not cook well and so they go to eat with family on that day. A second child told me they have a tradition to go out and eat and a third child child was not for sure what they will be doing. Do you have plans for the holiday? Whether you are going somewhere, staying home or eating out the time for planning is now.

Planning Ahead will allow you to prepare and be ready for the holidays. Shopping early will ease the countdown tension of your meal if you are doing the cooking. I love to shop early because it is not that last minute frantic shopping trip but the relaxed knowing what you will be cooking with all the ingredients on hand. Here are some useful questions that can help you plan ahead:

• Do you want a fresh or frozen turkey?
• Do you have enough space to store a frozen bird if purchased in advance; if not, when should you purchase a turkey?
• What size bird do you need to buy?
• Who all will be coming for dinner?
• What side dishes will you prepare, can they be made ahead of time?
• What desserts will be made, can they be prepared ahead of time?
• will the guest be bringing dishes as well and if so who will bring what?

Don't let your self be worried over Thanksgiving day after all you don't want to let the turkey know what is happening just yet.

PopATot Giveaway win a popatot

I had previously reviewed the wonderful PopATot and you can read this review here.

The PopATot is a lovely portable activity center that my granddaughter has been able to use since she was about six months old and still is very much in use. She loves her PopATot and so does her mother and nana (me). We love it because it is so easy to take any where we need to go. We can pack the PopATot up and take in the trunk of our car and so easy to store simply slide under the bed or in the broom closet. If you have foldable chairs that go into sacks then you will love the PopATot that is stored the same way.

The PopATot is available in 4 different colors. The primary red/blue color as you see here and

The PopATot available in camo with brown or green trim ,

Poptot in pink and leopard print perfect for your little princess.

Buy: you can purchase the PopATot directly off of the website for $54.99. What a wonderful gift for the special little one in your life. Free shipping is available at this time as well.

Win: One of Annie's Home readers will win the PopATot of their choice.

To Win: visit the website and let me know what PopATot you would want to win

Extra Entries:

• follow the blog
• subscribe to my blog
• grab my button and post it somewhere let me know in comments where (5 entries)
• follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway (1 entry per tweet) leave link in comment
• blog about the giveaway (5 entries) link in comment

Contest will end December 1, 2009. Please place email in comment or have available on blog. Good Luck

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
4 large eggs
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
kosher salt
8 large peanut butter cups, cut into pieces


1.Heat oven to 400° F.
2.Melt the butter and chocolate in a pan over low heat.
3.Using a mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until pale yellow and fluffy. Lower speed and pour in the melted chocolate and vanilla. Mix in the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Fold in the peanut butter cups.
4.Scrape into a buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until the tip of a knife comes out clean, about 35 minutes.

from the real simple newsletter

Winner announcement

The winner of the ever popular contest Make Ahead Meals for busy moms cookbook is:

Angela G said...
I learned the with make ahead meals you don't need to shop as often!

angela has been emailed and has 3 days to respond

Easy Fingerpaint Fun

With fall coming in and the weather turning colder many more hours will be spent inside. So many of us will be on the lookout for fun ideas that are easy, safe and dont cost alot of money. Here is a quick idea for you. It is so fun to fingerpaint at any age and if that fingerpaint can be eaten it is less worry for mom. There are two simple ways to create edible fingerpaint (1) food color in vanilla pudding or (2) food coloring in vanilla yogurt or even better the tubes of yogurt that are all ready colored work great as well. This is just a simple tip but so much fun built into it. Have fun fingerpainting all those wonderful pictures.

November is National Diabetis Month

I was diagnosed with diabetis nearly 4 years ago. I can tell you my earth felt like it was going to shatter that day. Maybe diabetis does not seem serious to many but to me it was very serious. My daddy passed away from diabetic complications and I knew how important it was to care for ourselves. So that is why I am alerting you to the National Diabetic Month.


The Princess and the Monkey alerted me to the site StopDiabetes.com starting Nov 2 to find out ways to join the Stop Diabetes movement.
You can also stop by the site Share Your Story and Nutrisystem will donate $5 for each story shared totalling up to $100,000