Cheddar Cheese Straws

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 (1-pound) block sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 to 2 teaspoons ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
4 cups all-purpose flour

Beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, beating just until combined.Use a cookie press with a star-shaped disk to shape mixture into long ribbons, following manufacturer's instructions, on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Cut ribbons into 2-inch pieces. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Cheese Wafers: Combine ingredients as directed; chill dough 2 hours. Shape dough into 4 (8-inch-long) logs; wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours. Cut each log into 1/4-inch-thick slices; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container 1 week.

Source Southern Living

Blondie Cupcakes

These delicious blondie cupcakes is a a recipe from Real Simple that I believe would be good for afternoon shack, bakesales or a simple dessert



1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1.Heat oven to 350° F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2.In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk the butter and sugars until smooth. Whisk in the egg and vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, then stir in the chocolate chips.
3.Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until the centers are just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs, 25 to 30 minutes

WIth Arms WIde Open

Some may say this is not a Praise song but I can tell you that I am so happy that I was welcomed by my Lord with Arms Wide Open








shared at
brag about it party
wonderful wednesday

shared at life on lakeshore drive 

Back To School Cookie Cutters Giveaway

Is it not funny how certian shapes can bring to thought certian memories, thoughts and ideas? Well, by now we are all back in school and Sweet Shapes thought it no better time than to sponsor a giveaway here on Annies Home to celebrate being back in school. If you have followed my blog long you probably recall Sweet Shapes sponsoring several giveaways in the past. The massive collection of cookie cutters and baking accessories has allowed them to be part of many events, holidays and good times here on Annies Home. Back To School is no different with over ten (10) cookie cutters dedicated to back to school I believe you can find the special one to make that afternoon snack extra special. In fact if you can not find the cutter to suit your needs simply ask as Sweet Shapes now makes cookie cutters designed by the customer. I am sure that you will want to get your hands on some of these wonderfully made tin cookie cutters. Sweet Shapes would love to give 2 winners a set of 3 cookie cutters each. The cutters the winners will recieve include

To enter the giveaway: please visit the Sweet Shapes website at http://cp32.heritagewebdesign.com/ and let me know what three cutters you would love to use to make special cookies for someone

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• add my blog to your blog roll
• subscribe to Sweet Shapes newsletter
• subscribe to my blog
• follow my blog on twitter (2 entries for following 1 extra entry for each tweet unlimited tweets)
• blog about giveaway, share on facebook, or in a giveaway link up (5 entries each let me know what you did in comment
• entry any of my other giveaways (1 entry each)
• comment here or here or here or here (3 entries each)

Giveaway starts now and ends October 10, 2010 Good Luck. Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries will not count

we did not receive anything for posting this giveaway

GlassDharma Review

I have shared here on Annies Home a variety of ways to keep our Earth looking its best. Activities such as recycling, reusing and usig eco friendly products are all wonderful ways to do our part. I recently found out a great way to not only help our Earth stay looking its best but to also help make sipping our favorite drink a bit more special. Glass Dharma are the makers of the original glass straws which are handmade in the USA. I am not sure about you but there are several ways that I may use a straw in any given day. Drinking a carton of milk, juice, or even a soda can all lead to using several straws in several days leading to a massive amount of straws which are placed in the trash which end up somewhere in a collection cluttering our green Earth. Rather than using all those straws why not use GlassDharma glass straws which can be reused eliminating the massive amounts of straws which end up in the trash. GlassDharma carries a great variety of straws to choose from in order find the perfect one for you or the event you have planned.



The Simple Elegance Shorty

Whether you choose the "Shorty" straw for the kids juice or milk box or a simple drink for yourself the short stature and simplicity may be all you need. The simplicity line of straws comes in three different sizes all getting a bit bigger.

Decorative Dots Straws (color did not show up in this picture)

These beautiful Decorative Dots GlassDharma straws add elegance to the event you are celebrating. While the color did not show up well in this picture you must see them on the GlassDharma website as the primary colors seem to make these straws look like the life of the party.  



Whether you are planning an event or living life the GlassDharma has the straw that is perfect for you. You can purchase Glass Dharma straws from their website located at http://www.glassdharma.com/  or from one of the wonderful places on this list

Win A $25 Visa Gift Card

Teachers are wonderful people in my opinion who should be commended for all they do. I have had several in my years through school and can remember many that my children have had as well. A Nut in a Nutshell is hosting a giveaway to honor teachers. Winner gets a $25 visa gift card. If you want to enter this giveaway head over there before October 7, 2010

Thai Sweet Chili Salmon Sliders

I can remember having Salmon patties for supper at my husbands mothers often. They were easy to make, inexpensive and when she made them tasted great. She would have loved this recipe with the extra spice. My mother in law was an extra special person who spent many days busy in the kitchen. This recipe was the Grand-prize winning recipe in the Chicken of the Sea SuperCook contest by Edwina Gadsby from Great Falls, Mont.

2 (6-oz.) Chicken of the Sea® Premium Skinless & Boneless Pink Salmon Pouch
1/4 chopped cup cilantro
1/4 chopped cup green onions
1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
4 Tablespoon Thai sweet chili sauce - divided
1 grated teaspoon lime zest
1/2 cup Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) or fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg white
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
6 small dinner rolls, spilt
12 thin slices ripe mango
12 thin slices cucumber


DirectionsCombine Chicken of the Sea® Skinless & Boneless Pink Salmon, cilantro, green onions, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce, lime zest, breadcrumbs and egg white until just combined. Shape mixture into 6 small patties. Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add salmon patties; sauté until cooked through and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side, brushing with remaining sweet chili sauce during last few minutes of cooking. To serve, on each roll bottom, place a salmon patty; top with 2 slices of mango and 2 slices of cucumber. Add roll tops. Makes 3 servings, 2 sliders per serving.

Pampers Gifts To Grow

There are 2 new codes for Pampers Gifts to Grow. The codes are 1FORMEGTGSEPT23 and PAMPERSTWITTER5 Head over to get enter the codes at Pampers Gifts TO Grow site

Halloween Deviled Eggs

•12 hard boiled eggs
•2/3 cup mayonnaise
•1 tbsp Dijon mustard
•1 pinch celery salt or celery seed
•1 tbsp prepared yellow mustard
•2 green onions, finely minced
•1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
•1 tsp. salt
•2 drops blue food coloring, or as needed
•1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
•½ red bell pepper, cut into small chunks
•red gel food coloring, as needed

1. Place 12 eggs into large pot of cold water. Bring to a rapid boil and boil for exactly 2 minutes. Shut off flame, cover pot and let sit for exactly 11 minutes
2. Drain eggs, run under cold water, until cool to the touch.
3. Peel eggs and cut in half, horizontally and scoop out the yolks into a glass bowl.
4. Mash the yolks until smooth, using a potato masher. (A fork will also work).
5. Add the mayo, mustards, celery salt, green onions, parsley flakes and salt to the mashed yolks and mix well.
6. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to get a green color to your yolks.
7. Spoon green yolk mixture into each white half of egg.
8. Place one black olive slice on top of each yolk filling. Add red pepper for the pupil, in the middle hole of the black olive slice.
9. Using a toothpick dipped in red food coloring gel, draw red veins on egg white's surface

For Easy Steps to Boil Deviled Eggs check out this article.

Weil Baby Products making life better for babies

I was a very young mother, having my first child at the age of 16. I did not know a lot of facts about being a mother I learned later that none of us really do we just learn as we go. My oldest daughter had colic. Oh my was it bad. I tried everything. Now years later I hear about the wonderful bottles that are being invented to help babies and toddlers with such problems. Dr. Andrew Weil has been devoted to developing, practicing and teaching the principles of interrogative medicine for the past 30 years. Dr. Weil carries a Harvard education and a lifetime of investigating natural and preventative medicine and has adapted a unique approach to health care to care for the body, mind and spirit. Dr. Weil is a world renowned leader and pioneer in field of integrative medicine. He is a best selling author as well writing books such as Spontaneous Healing, 8 weeks to Optimum Health, Eating well for Optimum Health, and healthy Aging. You may of also seen or read his works in TIME magazine, Larry King Live, Oprah and the Today Show.

One of the great products that Dr. Weil has helped to develop is the airwave venting system. The system is composed of one piece and has been shown to effectively help reduce colic because the system works from the inside out. The Air Weave System works like this:

• Threads on both the ring neck and the bottle securely connect the nipple assembly to the bottle.
  ■Sealing ring on the nipple seats in the bottle neck and positions the nipple in the correct orientation.
  ■Four protrusions within the bottle neck provide a means for air to enter the bottle.
  ■The flexible inner ring of the nipple rests against the inside surface of the bottle neck. This allows air to flow into the bottle but prevents fluid from leaking out.
  The AirWave™ Venting System

The Air Weave system has been developed by world class engineers and has been shown to outperform leading venting systems. One of the best features that new moms and dads will love that it is easy to clean.

I am so happy that one of my grand babies may not have to go through the pain of colic or that their mom and dad will have to struggle with not knowing how to make it all better. You can purchase Weil Baby Products from their website located at http://www.weilbaby.com/

Friday Nights At Our House

Friday Night at our House is full of football and lights. How much fun it is to attend the games with friends and have fun cheering.

shared at 5 minutes for mom

Don't Forget this Giveaway

Don't forget to enter giveaway for Little Blue Sisters giveaway on my blog 3 winners. Also follow Little Blue Sisters on Facebook.

Win Back To School Prize Pack from Totinos

School is back in session and so are those mid afternoon munchies. What do you serve your bunch when they arrive home hungry? One quick option is Totino pizza products. The blog Survey Junkie is hosting a giveaway where the winner will not only win free coupons for great pizza products but also great goodies for back to school. The prize pack pictured above is the wonderful prize in this giveaway that ends October 4, 2010.

Hurry Ending Soon Giveaway for $100 gc to JcPenney

Before there was Wal-mart or K-Mart there was JcPenney. I can remember going shopping at Penney's with my mom and dad. It seemed we bought everything from shoes to clothes to tires to so many things they will not all fit on the list. I still love to shop at Penney's whether at the shopping mall or online they offere a variety of wonderful products that I can trust. I just entered a giveaway over at the blog My Good Cents where one lucky winner will receive a $100 gc to go shopping at JcPenney. If you want to enter head over there before September 22, 2010.

Win a Cute Autumn Lantern

We all know that fall is in the air and several of us will decorate with this thought in mind. This very cute autumn lantern is one of the items I would love to decorate my living room with. I entered a giveaway over at Living Out Loud where this lantern from Celebrating Home is a wonderful prize. Want to enter head over there by October 20, 2010 to enter.

Win Nestle Toll House Baking Package

Nestle Toll House cookies have a taste of thier own. Piping hot from the oven with a large glass of milk. I can remember helping mom make these for dad or the excitement involved in both baking and eating them. PB and Pickles blog is currently hosting giveaway where one lucky winner will win a terrific Nestle Toll House Baking Package. Giveaway ends September 26, 2010

Crossword of the Brain

I worked several years as a nurses aide in a nursing home. The wing that I worked on primarily was the Alzheimer's wing. The residents on this wing could do much for their selves but could not thing straight or remember much from moment to moment. I have also seen family members suffer from memory deliberating disorders. This is hard for the person suffering and sometimes harder for the family members that love them. Scientist are studying for treatments and a cure. One thing that they are looking into is if brain games such as common day crossword puzzles, scrabble, and sudoku make any difference. You can read more of this great report at lifescript.com.

Tums Printable Coupon

Printable $1 off Tums located at

https://www.tums.com/tums_onedollar2009.promo?sessioncheck=true

Easy Roasted Pork

Ever have one of those days when you want something quick to fix for the family but something filling and looks and taste good as well? This recipe from Kraft may just foot the bill.

1 boneless pork roast (3 lb.)

3/4 cup KRAFT CATALINA Dressing, divided

2 lb. Baking potatoes (about 4), cut into 2-inch chunks

4 Beets (1 lb.), cut into 2-inch chunks

4 Onions (1 lb.), cut into 2-inch chunks

4 Carrots (1 lb.), cut into 2-inch chunks

HEAT oven to 350°F. PLACE meat in roasting pan sprayed with cooking spray; brush with 1/2 cup dressing. Toss potatoes and beets with 2 Tbsp. of the remaining dressing; spoon around meat. Bake 15 min. TOSS onions and carrots with remaining dressing. Add to ingredients in roasting pan. BAKE 1-1/2 hours or until meat is done (160°F), basting occasionally with pan juices. Remove from oven; let stand 10 min. Slice meat. Serve with vegetables.
Kraft Kitchens TipsKeeping It SafeAlways purchase meat towards the end of a shopping trip so that it is out of refrigeration for the shortest time possible. Take home and refrigerate promptly. It is a good idea to put packages of raw meat in plastic bags to avoid any leakage onto other foods, especially produce.

recipe source: Kraft Recipes

Victory Fingers

Around our house football is not only a sport it is a way of life. Cheering for our favorite teams becomes personal, whether we watch the game at the stadium, watch it on T.V. or listen to it on radio makes no difference We love it cheer like its the last game and root for our team as well as an occasional debate or two. When I found this sporty treat from Snackpicks.com I just knew I had to share it with all of you.

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
- or -
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal
Canned frosting or decorating gel
Food coloring
Assorted candies


In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated. Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into foam finger shapes. Decorate with frosting and/or candies. Insert ice cream sticks. Best if served the same day.


Microwave Directions: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

Note:
For best results, use fresh marshmallows
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.
Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Pictures of Princess

I have been part of the mamarazzi for many years through all six of my children and now my grandbaby as well. The pictures I share today are of my little Princess shortly before her second birthday.

I Love You

This is my hubby being silly. I love him so very much. He was styling and profiling in this picture for me. We have been together for over 23 years and that is why this man and the memories we create together is what Makes My Monday.

Giveaways ending tonight & tommorow

There are a couple of great giveaways ending real soon.
tonight is the last night to enter giveaway for the looster the booster for the loo

tommorow will be last chance to enter giveaway for the munchie mug

hurry as both of these are great giveaways

Mexican Salads

MEXICAN BLACK BEAN SALAD

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
8 green onions, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos
3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, green onions, jalapeno peppers, bell pepper, avocado, pimentos, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and Italian dressing. Season with garlic salt. Toss, and chill until serving.




Mexican Salad

1 (12-ounce) package frozen green lima beans,cooked and drained
1/4 cup French Dressing
1/2 green pepper,cut in strips
1/4 cup sliced green onion
2-3 fresh tomatoes,diced
1 /2 cup sliced celery
Mayonnaise
,Lettuce
1/4 cup sliced olives
2 sliced hard-cooked eggs

Marinate lima beans in dressing about 1 hour. Combine with next 4 ingredients, adding just enough mayonnaise to moisten. Pile into a lettuce-lined bowl, and garnish with olives or sliced eggs.

PB&J Cookies

Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches becomes a regular around our house when kids go back to school. They always arrive home hungry but it is too early for supper. Here is a recipe I found on My Recipes for cookies that may just fill the peanut butter and jelly diet

1/4 cup margarine, softened
1/4 cup no-sugar-added creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup "measures-like-sugar" calorie-free sweetener
1/4 cup sugar
2 large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
3/4 cup low-sugar strawberry spread

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat margarine and peanut butter with a mixer at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sweetener and sugar, beating well. Add egg whites and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, soda, and salt in a small bowl, stirring well. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture, beating well. Shape dough into 40 (1-inch) balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Flatten cookies into 2-inch circles using a flat-bottomed glass. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly on pans; remove, and let cool completely on wire racks. Spread about 1 1/2 teaspoons strawberry spread on the bottom of each of 20 cookies; top with remaining cookies.

Mudpuppy review

Late September means that there are less than 100 days left til Christmas. One great place to find gifts for those that you love is MUDPUPPY.com Mudpuppy press is just a piece of Galison which was founded in 1979 to work with museums to make their imagery widely available in the form of well designed and manufactured paper products. Galison has printed books and calendars but focuses on boxed note cards, fine art stationery, greeting cards, personalized Christmas cards, note cards, journals, and other gift products for writers. Mudpuppy Press was started in 1992 specializing in puzzles. Now you can find puzzles, journals, diaries, educational games, toys and stationery at Mudpuppy. Galison's started a line of Holiday Time cards and gifts in 1993.








Mudpupy has wonderful products for the young and those young at heart. We were able to review the Animal Sounds First Puzzle. These little puzzles are great for kids 2+ years of age. My granddaughter Princess who just turned 2 in September will receive these for her Christmas. The Animal Sounds First Puzzles received the iParenting Greatest Product Award, iParenting Best Products Award In my opinion I love the little puzzle that fit into a box with a handle. Young kids love to carry things around and the box with puzzles will be no exception. The box will also help to keep puzzle pieces neat and orderly. I love the idea of being able to play with the puzzles with Princess then being able to put them away in a place of its own. Not only do the puzzle pieces have great colors but also are educational as well. Play the what sound matches the animal and you will see how quickly your child will be able to match the cow with the moo sound and the cat with the meow sound. Awesome. In each box there are 4 different puzzles and one of the great things about the puzzle pieces is that they are printed with non toxic ink so if anything does go in the mouth where we don't want it we do not have to worry about the ink being harmful. While my granddaughter may love animals my eye often travels to the vintage and nostalgia of yester day just take a look at what Mudpuppy has new for 2010.

vintage labels

Vintage Cover Art Perpetual Calendar

Warhol Campbell's Soup Mini Journal 6-Pack

Buy: you can purchase of the wonderful Mudpuppy.com or Galison products from http://www.mudpuppy.com/