AZO products and Bag Giveaway

I keep AZO products in my medicine cabinet all the time. As a diabetic I am prone to bladder infections and the AZO cranberry pills help to relieve some of the pain associated with these problems. Jessica from the blog Piece Of Me is hosting a giveaway sponsored by AZO where a winner will win all that is pictured above. This giveaway ends November 13, 2010

Betty Crocker Instant Mashed potato Giveaway

Betty Crocker makes many wonderful products. One of the products that I love to use and do use a lot is their instant mashed potatoes. Some days are just so busy and stressful that I look for a break from teh regualar and that is when I choose to take a shortcut of sorts using Betty Crocker instant mashed potatoes The gift package above is part of a giveaway hosted on the blog Babeelove. Giveaway ends November 12, 2010

win a B Trix Stroller

With my daughter expecting a second child and having a daughter that is 2 she could really use the Britax B-Ready stroller with second seat. My daughter loves to talk long walks and so this great stroller would come into great use. I entered for the chance to win one of thes great Britax strollers on the blog MomSpotted.com Jennifer is hosting this giveaway If you want the chance to win you need to enter by November 29, 2010

Halloween Witch Hats

1/2 cup vanilla frosting, divided


36 miniature semisweet chocolate chips

12 large marshmallows

1 drop each green, red and yellow food coloring, optional

1/4 cup flaked coconut

12 chocolate wafers

12 miniature peanut butter cups

12 milk chocolate kisses

Directions

For the face of each witch, place a dab of frosting on the bottom of three chocolate chips; press two for eyes and one for nose onto each marshmallow.

For hair, combine green food coloring and a drop of water in a small resealable plastic bag; add coconut and shake well. Spread a small amount of frosting on sides of marshmallows; press coconut hair into frosting. Place 3 tablespoons of frosting in a small heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; tint orange with red and yellow food coloring. Set aside.

For hats, spread some of the remaining frosting in the center of chocolate wafers; press peanut butter cups upside down into frosting. Lightly spread bottoms of chocolate kisses with frosting; place on peanut butter cups. Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert a small star tip. Fill the bag with frosting and pipe stars around the base of each peanut butter cup. Secure a hat to each witch with a dab of frosting. Yield: 1 dozen.


Source : Taste of Home

Setting UP A Household Recycling Center

The town my daughter lives in just started recycling pickup along with their trash. This is great as all she has to do is put out her recycling containers with her trash and the workers will pick it up from the curb and do the work. Getting started was a bit of a chore though because she was so used to throwing it all away. The Real Simple website gives great tips on how to set up a system to make recycling easier

Win a Guide Craft Kitchen

Do you have some little ones that love to imagine that they have their own house to run where they do the cooking, the dishes and care for their dolls and teddies? Well I have one that loves to pretend that she takes care of her baby dolls and this GuideCraft kitchen would really be a great addition. The blog Thanks, Mail Carrier is hosting a giveaway where one lucky winner will win this GuideCraft Kitchen. Giveaway ends November 19, 2010

Candied Apples

Cooking spray

8 (4-ounce) Red Delicious apples, stemmed
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup cinnamon decorator candies (such as Red Hots)

Line a large baking sheet with foil, and coat with cooking spray. Insert 1 (6-inch) white dowel into stem end of each apple. Combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and candies in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 300° (about 8 minutes). Remove from heat. Working with 1 apple at a time, holding apple by its dowel, dip in syrup, tilting pan to cover apple. Turn apple quickly to coat evenly with syrup; let excess syrup drip back into pan. Place apple, dowel side up, on prepared baking sheet to harden (about 5 minutes).

2010 Changes in CPR and First Aid Link

After many years of American Heart Association CPR instructions staying the same there have been some new changes. To me this is just great signs of improvment and years of reserch.

First Aid guidelines for 2010 can be found here http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/Science/Guidelines/2010-Guidelines-for-First-Aid_UCM_317316_SubHomePage.jsp

Need A Last Minute Costume?

If you need a last minute costume then try this easy to make fried egg costume or any of these other great  no sew last minute costumes you can find her on Red Plum website.

Octodogs make for fun quick meal

This is a super cute lunch that kids of all ages will like They are so easy to make as well . The blog How To Cook  Like Your Grandmother walks you through in a post that she created and posted

Healthy Meal Choices for Children

Children often need a bit of help when choosing the right foods to eat. I should say that I know several adults that could use a bit of help preparing a nutritious diet. Thanks to Chicken of The Sea for sharing a few tips on nutritional diets.

Fruits and vegetables:

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, children should eat five fruits and vegetables a day. Leave a bowl of fruit or carrot sticks on the kitchen table to help ensure your child is getting the recommend daily amount.  I create dips and spreads to go with veggies at our house and also make fruit salads often or serve them with a dip as well.

Small, whole vegetables and florets, and fruits are almost always appealing to children. Now and again, encourage your child to try a new fruit or vegetable by arranging a platter in fun shapes or pictures. I am always suprised to see a new fruit or veggie at the market and bring it home to try. Yesterday I saw what they called a plumo it is like a plum but quite bigger in size so of course I brought it home for me and the kids to try

Serve vegetables on, in or with something your child really likes (as part of a pizza topping or stirred into macaroni and cheese). We have been known to hide veggies in the meatloaf or prepare shepherd pie including a vegetable

Healthy choices to reduce fat and sugar:

Rather than using whole milk switch to low or non fat milk, yogurt and cheese 

Use tuna and salmon in dishes that call for other protein sources, such as chicken.

Bake or grill instead of fry.

Substitute olive or vegetable oil for butter.

Substitute water or low-fat milk for sodas or sweetened beverages.

Switch desserts like ice cream and cake for fruit-based desserts.

Slow Cook Chicken Caccitori

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 pounds chicken parts, skin removed
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, crushed
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
1 pound mushrooms, cut in half (about 5 cups)
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 medium green pepper, cut into 2-inch-long strips (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 cups Swanson® Chicken Stock
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 package (16 ounces) pappardelle or fettuccine, cooked and drained

Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until well browned on all sides. Stir the garlic, Italian seasoning, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, pepper and 1 cup stock in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the cooker and keep warm. Stir the cornstarch and remaining stock in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth. Stir the cornstarch mixture in the cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until the mixture boils and thickens. Serve with the chicken and pappardelle.

recipe source: campbells kitchen

Thankful Thursday

Today I am so thankful that the activity that I work with every year is coming together so well. Judgement House an activity that comes together every year to share the story of an event that can and has happened in daily life Judgement House allows the audience to see that their destiny is their choice whether they end up in Heaven in Hell. Last night was our first night and the remarks that are being shared are wonderful. There was nearly 270 individuals to walk through last night. All together there are 850 reservations. How wonderful. We have batherd this event in prayer and we know that is not us that can make a difference but that the Holy Spirit can. Please pray with us as more visitors are expected and for those that are working that the audience will be able to see the scenes as the first group through did.

Halloween Candy Buy Back

Every year our kids would go trick or treating and end up with so much candy that they could never eat enough even in a year. The older folks loved to see them and they would all try to fill their buckets. I recently read about this wonderful new project Halloween Candy Buy Back that many dentist are participating in. It works like this for every lb of candy that you bring in to the dentist office the child will receive a $1 in payment. The candy will then be sent overseas to the military troops.

thanks to Moneywise Moms

Win Playskool Busy Ball Popper

With a grand-daughter who is 2 and another grand-son to be born in March their mommy will need lots of great toys to keep them busy. The Playskool Busy Ball Popper may just be able to fit the bill. With enough entertainment to keep toddlers happy the Busy Ball Popper may become a moms best friend. The blog Minnesota Mama's Must Haves is hosting giveaway sponsored by Playskool where one lucky winner will win the busy ball popper. Giveaway ends November 10, 2010

Harvest Moon Pies Lollipops

Yield: 1 dozen

12 (10- to 12-inch-long) lollipop sticks

1 (24-ounce) package Chocolate Flavor MoonPies

1 (14-ounce) package orange candy melts

1 zip-top plastic bag

Scissors

Wax paper

Halloween candies

Halloween sugar cake decorations

Decorator icing

Ribbon (optional)

Preparation

Step 1: Insert 1 lollipop stick 2 to 3 inches into marshmallow center of MoonPie.



Step 2: Microwave candy melts in a glass bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 1 minute or until melted, stirring once; spoon into plastic bag, and seal.



Step 3: Snip a small hole in 1 corner of the bag; pipe melted candy around where stick meets MoonPie to secure. Lay flat on wax paper, and let stand until firm.



Step 4: Pipe fun border of melted candy around edges. Attach candies and/or cake decorations with decorator icing. Tie ribbons around tops of sticks, if desired.


Source: Southern Living 2002

Win a Mr. Potato Trick or Tater

Dressing up is so mmuch fun and whether you celebrate Halloween or not you can still have imagination and fun in dressing up. The Mr. Potato Head Trick or Tater has been created for Halloween but also allows the chance to create different looks and have fun with dressing up and having fun The blog Thanks Mail Carrier where Playskool is sponsoring a giveaway where 5 winners will win the Mr. PotatoHead Trick or Tater Giveaway ends November 19, 2010

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies

This one may please all of them both chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike.

Cookies:


6.75 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 cup 1% low-fat milk

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking spray

Icing:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided

3 1/2 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk, divided

2 tablespoons whipping cream, divided

3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1 ounce bittersweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.



2. To prepare the cookies, weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Combine granulated sugar, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 2 minutes). Beat in milk. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed until well blended.



3. Spoon dough mixture into a pastry bag fitted with 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe 36 (1 1/2-inch-round) mounds onto 2 baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 11 minutes. Cool 1 minute on pans. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.



4. To prepare the icing, combine 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon cream, and 3 tablespoons peanut butter in a medium bowl; stir well. Spoon peanut butter mixture into a small zip-top plastic bag; set aside. Place chips in a medium glass bowl, and microwave at HIGH 30 seconds or until almost melted, stirring until smooth. Add the remaining 3/4 cup powdered sugar, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons milk, remaining 1 tablespoon cream, and cocoa to the melted chocolate, stirring well with a whisk. Spoon chocolate mixture into a small zip-top plastic bag. Starting with peanut butter mixture, snip a tiny hole in corner of bag; drizzle icing on half of each cookie. Repeat procedure with chocolate frosting on other half of each cookie. Let stand 10 minutes or until icing is set.

Senior Night

This is a picture at senior night. This is one of my best and dearest friends recieving flowers from her daughter the "senior" What a wonderful night and what a wonderful deserving mother. They will both go far in life.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Kaskey Kids Toys by F.J. Fee Giveaway

Do you have a sports fan in your family or on your Christmas list this year? The biggest sports fan you know may even be yourself. Most sports fans that I know love to collect little pieces that remind them of the sport they love. Kaskey Kids lets them do just that. Kaskey Kids lets sports fans share the love of the sport with the little ones they love. The play sets by Kaskey Kids allows children to use their imagination to score.  

A set of parents who wanted to create simple sports actions figures created Kaskey Kids Christy Kaskey is a mother of four sports loving children who knew that her kids were the happiest when they were sharing sports with their friends. They loved playing sports outside in the backyard or park they were content it was when night fell and it was time to come in that the fun ended. As a mother she wanted to keep her cdhildren happy at all times and fondly remembered her own brothers having fun with action figures when they were kids. So on a search for the perfect sports figures went into effect. The search ended up without finding what was desired so Christy and Bruce Kaskey decided to create their own. The line of Kaskey Kids sports figures includes baseball, football, soccer and hockey.

Mini-packs are also available and are as life like as the regular sets. They come in a bag of their own. Mini-packs are available in baseball and football and contain a set of a team players and a ump or ref. figure. One of Annies Home readers will win a set of their choice.

Buy: you can order your choice of Kaskey Kids from their website located at http://www.kaskeykids.com use code "fans" for 20% off

Win: one lucky Annies Home reader will win their choice of mini pack to enter giveaway let me know which mini pack you would choose if you were the winner (not necessarily the ones you will receive)

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog (2 entries)
• subscribe to my blog through reader or email  (2 entries each)
• place my text link on your blog (5 entries)
• follow my blog on twitter (2 entries)
• tweet about the giveaway (1 entry per tweet up to 4 times a day)
• share this giveaway on your blog, facebook etc... (8 entries each) leave link in comment

Giveaway starts now and will end November 3, 2010. Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries will not count

We received nothing in return for posting this giveaway

Judgement House

For the past several years I have been part of an event that takes place at my church every year. This event is known as Judgement House. Judgement House is a play of sorts but it is more than that. It is put together similar to a haunted house where the story moves from room to room. This years story is about abduction it is about a subject that has happened before, may happen again and can happen in any neighborhood anywhere. It is a story where a group of friends go out, where two young ladies are kidnapped and one of the young ladies are killed but it is so much more than that. Judgement House allows the visitor to see the final steps of a group of friends who go out for the night and terror becomes reality. It allows them to see that the days of our lives really matter and what we do with our days does as well. In the end they will see reality ending with eternal life in heaven or hell and that choice being each individual characters choice. Judgement House starts tonight and I pray that all those involved with acting, behind scene, and those that visit will leave with a renewed experience and share this experience with others After all we do not know when our last day will be, what path our lives will cross with others and what others may see in us. Just something to think about but it is something very real and very powerful to think about

Halloween Safety Tips

Sue Adair, director of education at Goddard Schools nationwide shared some Halloween Tips with Womans Day  that you may want to be aware of as you go out into the night to have a good time not a fright Among on the list of tips are:

Costumes: choose facepaint rather than a mask as it will be better for the child to breathe and see. I also know from experience that the mask never stays on long and come off often and just adds something else for the parent to carry
Carry a flashlight and if possible some glow in dark jewelry, bracelet or a glow stick will help others to see child better as well as offer a bit of light so child can see path better
Check to see what preset hours are for trick or treating and try to abide by them. Having a pre-planned route helps as well
Do not eat candy along the route wait til get home to inspect. Toss any treats that are unwrapped or damaged. If homemade treats are from some where that you do not know they should be tossed as well

All Dressed Up for Wordless Wednesday

Here is a picture of some young folks that I love lots. Many of them attend our church all of them are very polite young people

shared on Look What Mom Found

Talking Halloween Cookies

Grandparents.com offers an article discussing Talking Halloween Cookies with a pastry chef offers great tips on making great Halloween goodies you may want to check it out

Soft Ginger Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting

My grandmothers were blessed with great cooking skills, the ablility to bake special treats and the knowledge to run a household including budgets and handi work. One of them made a wonderful cookie that is very similiar to the pumpkin cookie I found on the Pillsbury website

Soft Ginger Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting

1cup packed brown sugar
1/4cup chopped crystallized ginger
3/4cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1egg
2 1/2cups all-purpose flour
1teaspoon baking soda
1teaspoon ground ginger
1/4teaspoon salt

Frosting
1/3cup butter (do not use margarine)
2cups powdered sugar
1teaspoon vanilla
2to 4 tablespoons milk


Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, crystallized ginger, 3/4 cup softened butter, the pumpkin and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in remaining cookie ingredients to form soft dough. (If dough is too soft, refrigerate about 15 minutes.) Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Slightly flatten balls. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until light golden brown. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Immediately spread frosting on cooled cookies..

Winner of Cowgirl Chocolates

The winner of the Cowgirl Chocolates is
3 Giggly Monsters said...

Following your blog.

Remember Cowgirl Chocolates for that special chocolate lover who likes a bit of a kick

Winner Peace Love Mom Tee

The winner of the Peace Love Mom tee is
Anonymous said...


follow PLM on twitter 9ziggy #2

There are only a few days left to take advantage of the great deal that is going on at Peace Love Mom for the month of October all pink tees are on sale for $25 to support awareness of breast cancer

Duncan Hines Decadent Cake Mix and Amazing Glaze giveaway

Fall means baking season and whether the baking is done from scratch or by using a mix the important thing is that we want our dessert to be irrasistable. Duncan Hines has introduced a new line of cakes and glazes that are calle the New Decadent cakes and Amazing glazes. The blog A Nut In A Nutshell is hosting a giveaway where two winners will be able to try two of the Decadent cakes. Giveaway ends November 9, 2010.

Gift Guide 2010 at Minnesota MamasMust Haves

The blog Minnesota Mamas Must Haves will be sharing their Gift Guide 2010. Be sure to stop by as she will be sharing lots of great gift ideas from super brands from  Little Tykes to Hayneedle. There will be wonderful giveaways as well. Be sure to check it out as the event will start November 1, 2010

Win a Step Stool

Size deficiency runs in our family and we can always use just a few more inches to reach what we are needing. The little guys in our family our no better off because they are short naturally and in our family often are shorter than short. The etsy shop Laffy Daffy creates super cute stools that can be personalized as well. The blog Minnesota Must Haves is hosting giveaway for a $30 giftcard. Giveaway ends November 8, 2010

Venison Noodle Skillet

This recipe comes from our local newspaper in an article from the extension office. The official book that this recipe comes from is titled From Field to Table

1 lb venison ground
3 T vegetable oil
1/2 c chopped onions
1 c diced celery
1/2 c chopped green pepper
1qt tomatoes
2 c noodles uncooked
1 small can mushrooms
1 t salt
1 small can kidney beans
1 t pepper

brown meat in large skillet Drain off excess fat Add oil, onion, celery and pepper saute until veggies are transparent Add remaining ingredients and mix well Cover and bring to boil reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes

http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/2010/04/tuesdays-at-table-lemon-poppy-muffins.html

Katies Caramel Crunch

6 cups Crispix®

3 cups popped popcorn
2 cups small square pretzels
1 cup cocktail peanuts (optional)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

In 17 x 11 x 2-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray, combine KELLOGG'S CRISPIX cereal, popcorn, pretzels and peanuts (if desired). Set aside. In heavy 3-quart saucepan combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Bring to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda. Immediately pour over cereal mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Bake at 250°F about 1 hour or until deep golden brown, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on wax paper. Separate clumps. Cool completely. Store in airtight container

Halloween Monster Mix

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter

6 cups small pretzel twists
4 cups roasted peanuts
6 cups Corn Chex cereal

3 cups powdered sugar
1 11 oz. package candy corn
1 11 oz. package Mellocream Pumpkins

1 16 oz. package Reeses's Pieces
1 12 oz. package orange and black gumdrops
1 12 oz. package jelly pumpkins

Melt the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter in the microwave, stirring every minute or so until smooth.
Pour over the Rice Chex and stir until all the cereal is well-coated. Measure the powdered sugar in a large paper bag. Pour the mixture into the bag and fold the top down several times. Shake the bag for several minutes so that the chocolate pieces are thoroughly coated. Transfer the mixture to two or three large baking sheets to dry for an hour or two. Mix with the packages of Halloween candy. Store in an airtight container.

http://beautyandbedlam.com/  http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/search/label/Toot%20Your%20Horn

Pumpkin Fudge

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup melted butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 (12-ounce) package white chocolate morsels
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir together first 6 ingredients in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 234° (soft-ball stage) or for about 12 minutes. Remove pan from heat; stir in remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour into a greased aluminum foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Let stand 2 hours or until completely cool; cut fudge into squares.

Notes: Line pan with aluminum foil before you begin to cook the fudge. Once the candy thermometer reaches 234° and the remaining ingredients are added, quickly spoon the fudge into the pan.


Source: Southern Living 2005

Caramel Apples

Every since I was a little girl i loved caramel apples. Back then they were only in the stores in the fall season. Now you can find them year round. Caramel apples can be plain, with nuts or candies or even as elaborate as the ones pictured above.

8 wooden craft sticks

8 medium Gala apples
2 (6.5-ounce) packages caramel apple wraps
1 (16-ounce) chocolate bar
16 ounces vanilla bark coating
Orange paste food coloring
Toppings: colored sprinkles, chopped peanuts, black writing gel

Insert craft sticks into apples. Cover each apple with 1 caramel wrap. Microwave at HIGH 15 to 20 seconds. Cool. Melt chocolate bar in a small saucepan over low heat. Dip each apple into chocolate; let dry.
Melt vanilla bark coating in a small saucepan over low heat; stir in orange food coloring. Dip or drizzle each apple with vanilla coating mixture. Decorate with desired toppings, and let dry.

Source: Southern Living October 2001

Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

seeds from 2 medium pumpkins

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Heat oven to 300° F. Remove the seeds from the pumpkins. Discard the pulp. Spread the seeds (no need to rinse them) evenly on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until dried, about 1 hour. Toss the seeds, olive oil, celery salt, and cumin in a large skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until the seeds are lightly toasted, about 3 minutes.

Source: real simple

Pumpkin Pudding

Pudding:

6 ounces firm silken tofu
6 tablespoons fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
Dash of salt
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
1 cup frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed

Pecans:
1/2 cup pecans
2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Remaining ingredient:
6 tablespoons frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed

To prepare pudding, place tofu on several layers of heavy-duty paper towels. Cover tofu with additional paper towels; let stand 10 minutes. Combine tofu, condensed milk, syrup, and vanilla extract in a blender, and process until smooth. Add cinnamon and next 4 ingredients (cinnamon through pumpkin); process until smooth. Pour the pumpkin mixture into a large bowl, and fold in 1 cup whipped topping. Cover and chill at least 8 hours or overnight.
To prepare pecans, heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pecans, sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook 3 minutes or until sugar melts and coats pecans, shaking pan to evenly coat. Pour pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let cool; coarsely chop.
To assemble desserts, spoon 2/3 cup pudding into each of 6 (6-ounce) custard cups; top each serving with 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Sprinkle about 1 1/2 tablespoons pecans over each serving

Source: My Recipes

Maukilo giveaway

As a mother of six I have seen my children play with lots of toys over the years. Some of which did not make it through the years and others that stood up great. Maukilo is the maker of wonderful awe inspiring toys that keep children busy using their hands and imagination. Maukilo stands by their toys with the slogan buy once play forever that to me means alot. The blog Minnesota Mama's Must Haves is hosting giveaway where someone will win a $75 gift certificate to Maukilo giveaway ends November 8, 2010

Gain review

The great smell of Gain has been here for a while in our laundry detergent. Now we have a new product to add to the Gain lineup. The new product available is Gain dishwashing liquid. It comes with a great smell of freshness and seems to work pretty well with dishes. The only problem I see is that I have to use more of it than my regular dish detergent because it seems just a bit thin to me. While my family is larger than other families and it may just be the amount of dishes that are done in my house.

Thanks to My Blog Spark and Gain for sending me three tees one to keep for myself and 2 to give to friends along with a $5 gift card that they can purchase the same great product from gain.

Follow Gain on facebook
follow Gain on Twitter

Go-Gurt Review and Giveaway short ending date

Go-Gurt is the yogurt that is specially made to freeze and thaw which makes it the perfect item for your childs lunchbox. Not only will it work like an ice pack and keep the yogurt, and the rest of lunch cool til lunch time but it is delicious as well. Go-Gurt pleases both moms and kids because of its delicious taste available flavors strawberry splash and chill out cherry and Go-Gurt contains a good source of calcium and vitamin D and provides a wholesome addiction to a well balanced lunch.

Go-Gurt is available at local grocery stores

follow go-gurt on twitter
like go-gurt on facebook

Win: one of Annies Home readers will win the prize pack above. All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog telling me about your first day of school

giveaway ends October 30, 2010. Good Luck email must be in comment or on blog profile

Thanks to My Blog Spark and Go-Gurt yoplait for sponsoring this giveaway and sending me the same package as the prize for review. The words shared in this post are my opinions only and others may not agree with it

Promos and Logos giveaway

Promoting your service or product is what everyone strives to do. Even blog owners are constantly striving to promote our blogs and what services we offer. Promos and Logos is a wonderful company that will help you find the perfect way to promote your business as well as personalize corporate gifts. With over 500,000 items from travel items to gift sets and from  bobbleheads to baby items Promos and Logos has the perfect promotional item for your business or service. Giving a promotional gift allows that customer a chance to show it off and let others know just where they got it and lead into a conversation about what services you offer. The individuals about Promos and Logos will help you to find the perfect one(s) for you

Thinking about promotional items but don't think its in the budget? Let Promo's and Logo's work with your budget. They have promotional items ranging from a few cents each to items that range a few thousand dollars. There are several hundred items available at Promo's and Logo's and I am sure there is one to fit your needs and budget. Personalizing the promotional items that you choose to promote your item works two-fold (1) by allowing the customer as I stated before to share the item with others and spreading the word  and (2) when the item is taken places others see the name brand or service. Think about shoes and how the name on them have made an impact from Nike to Addidas.

Purchase: you can purchase promotional and logo items on the Promos and Logos website located at http://www.promoslogos.com/

Win: One of Annies Home readers will win a $25 gift card to be used at promos and logos website where you can find a number of promotional items to help promote you, your business, your service

To enter this giveaway please visit the promos and logos website and let me know how you would use the $25 gift card

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog (2 entries)
• subscribe to my blog via email or reader (3 entries each)
• place my text link on your blog (5 entries)
• follow PromosLogos on Twitter (2 entries)
• follow my blog on twitter (2 entries)
• tweet about the giveaway (1 entry unlimited) leave link in comment
• share this giveaway on your blog, facebook or other giveaway site (5 entries each) leave link in comment

Giveaway starts now and ends November 1, 2010 Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entry will not count

We received an item for review purposes the thoughts shared in this post are my opinions only and may not be agreeable with others that is what makes opinions so wonderful we all have one