Check Out Joe Shopping and Enter Giveaway WIn $100 Amazon GC

Have you checked out Joe Shopping.com? They have a great variety of products at some attractive prices. The blog Baby Loving Mama is hosting a giveaway where you can win a $100 Amazon gift card as she shares with us all about the social shopping site JoeShopping.com It looks great and I registered myself to see what bargains I can find. Want to enter the giveaway? You must do so before December 17, 2010 

I just love this time of year it just seems like we do a whole lot more baking. We make something nearly every night and we all gather in the kitchen and while we are baking we chat and have a great time. I would love to win the Wilton prize pack being hosted in a giveaway by the blog Baby Loving Mama. Just look at all the great goodies someone will get. This giveaway ends December 18, 2010

Eucerin Answer To Dry Skin & giveaway @ Baby Loving Mama

I am a diabetic and have for the longest time suffered with dry skin but it seems as I get older the dry skin haunts me even more. Eucerin helps to relieve this problem by helping to put moisture back into my skin. The blog Baby Loving Mama is hosting a giveaway sponsored by Eucerin where a lucky person will get

a lovely prize pack from Eucerin including gloves, scarf and the Eucerin product as well. This giveaway ends December 20, 2010

Help Pick the Book Cover $15 gc giveaway

Congratulations to a fellow blogger on getting her book published. Good for her. I met Laura through my blog and wantched her grow her blog, become a new mommy and raise her daughter and now have her book published. Laura is hosting a giveaway where she is asking you to help you pick the cover of her book. One lucky individual will win a $15 gc. Head over to the blog Laura DeLuca and help her choose the cover and enter this great contet Giveaway will end December 30 2010

Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened


1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon red food coloring paste

Parchment paper

Peppermint Frosting

Beat butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, beating until blended, scraping bowl as needed. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended.  Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Roll 1 portion of dough into a 12- x 8-inch rectangle on a piece of lightly floured plastic wrap.  Knead food coloring paste into remaining portion of dough while wearing rubber gloves. Roll tinted dough into a rectangle as directed in Step 3. Invert untinted dough onto tinted dough; peel off plastic wrap. Cut dough in half lengthwise, forming 2 (12- x 4-inch) rectangles. Roll up each rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side, using bottom piece of plastic wrap as a guide. Wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze 4 hours or up to 1 month. Preheat oven to 350°. Cut ends off each dough log, and discard. Cut dough into 1/4-inch-thick pieces, and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.  Bake at 350° for 6 to 7 minutes or until puffed and set; cool cookies on baking sheets 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).  Place Peppermint Frosting in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic freezer bag. Snip 1 corner of bag to make a small hole. Pipe about 2 tsp. frosting onto half of cookies; top with remaining cookies, gently pressing to form a sandwich

Recipe Source: Southern Living December 2008

Super Cute Gift In A Jar

This is a make your own smores kit. It is very festive and stylish and super cute. Find out how you can make it on the blog Money Saving Mom

Chicken Feed Snack Mix Recipe and a giveaway where you can win some chex cereal

My mother used to make what she called chicken feed for us out of Chex Mix. This recipe is very much like the traditional chex mix. If you are interested in the recipe here it is:

Chicken Feed

1 lb. Oleo
1/3 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbls. Onion Salt
1 Tbls. Garlic Salt
1 Tbls. Celery Salt
1/2 Tbls. Savory Salt
1/2 Tbls. Tabasco Sauce
1/2 Box Kix Cereal
1/2 Box Cheerios
1/2 Box Rice Chex
1/2 Box Corn Chex
2 Cans Planters Peanuts
1 Pkg. Pretzels
1-1/2 lbs. Nuts

Melt oleo, add seasonings. Pour over mixed cereals and nuts. Mix well. Spread in long pan and bake for 2 hours at 225° – stirring at least twice. Remove from oven and let cool COMPLETELY! If tightly covered, will keep for weeks. (That is on the assumption that there will be any remaining after that long.)

Want to try this recipe or any of the other recipes made by the help of Chex cereal? Well then I bet you would be interested in the giveaway being hosted by Gobs of Giveaways where the winner will receive 1 box of Rice Chex, a measuring cup set and a Chex® Party Mix tote bag from General Mills!
 Giveaway ends December 18, 2010

You can find another great giveaway chance for this Chex party mix at Kellys Lucky this giveaway will end December 26, 2010

Thought I Would Share A Bit of What Others are Reading

The top 10 post of what others were reading yesterday include:

snack taxi review
Pillow Pets giveaway today is last day to enter this giveaway
ABC Wednesday post
Chocolate Covered Dream Bites gluten free recipe
Irish dessert
Toy Soldier Christmas Tree ornament
Christmas Tree Ornament
Red Velvet Cookies
Pamper Point Codes
What about The Shepherds

PetCakes giveaway

Have you seen the adorable new Pet Cakes? They are so cute and can't help to be sweet they look just like little cupcakes.

The blog Finding Blessings In Every Day is hosting a giveaway where the winner will get winners choice of 2 petcakes. What ones are your favorites? Giveaway ends December 15, 2010

Following Friday

!
 
Hosted by Let's Just Give It Away, Made♥ By♥Jess,


And Then There Were 4, Buzzing The Day Away,

and Whirlwind of Surprises!
 
if you visit and follow please leave a comment I will follow back I am linking up with Following Friday in hopes to find a few new friends.

Buttery Bow Cookies

This is a very moving song and just wanted to share it with you all.

Buttery Bow Cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour


1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cold butter, cubed

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons butter, melted

Red and green colored sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Combine egg and cream; gradually beat into crumb mixture until a ball forms. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle.

Divide dough into three portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into an 8-in. x 6-in. rectangle. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with colored sugar. Cut into 8-in.-long x 1/4-in.-wide strips. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; form into bows.

Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks. Yield: 6 dozen.

recipe source: Taste of Home

EZ Sox

Have you seen the new EZ Sox? They are the cutest thing going or at least I think so. My little princess is into animals and loves them all with her favorites being frogs, dogs and cats. The EZ Sox would delight her as they look like cute little animals. I also love the straps at the top of the sox. They remind me of the old fashioned boot straps that the boys would use to pull their boots on. EZ Sox are super cute and perfect to teach little ones to put their sox on. Want to win a pair? Head over to the blog jumpin beans and enter before December 16, 2010

Inexpensive Ways to Give Back and Have a Heart of Gold

Sometimes Christmas will find us being all about buying gifts and we may forget that it is a great time that we can give back as well. There are several ways to give back if you think about it there are probably those you know that you can do simple things for to give back not only will they feel grateful for helping them but you will have a heart of gold. Here are a few ideas that I thought of in case you want to plan an activity it is a great time for families to team up to give back as well

Visit those in retirement home, nursing home, or hospitals. I worked in skilled caring nursing for many  years and each year saw individuals go without any visitors at all. Team up with some friends and take along a box of candycanes to hand out to those that you meet and see. I can tell you that it will brighten their day and the smile they share will be contagious.

Volunteer to help your neighbors. From elderly folks who may need help around the house or just a simple visit to single mothers who sometimes would just love someone to watch their children so that they can do some Christmas shopping.

Young families in your neighborhood may find it hard to have a bright Christmas. Share your talent and take over a dish of goodies to eat or perhaps a few Christmas ornaments that you no longer need. Often young families welcome any help that they are offered

I would love to hear what you do to give back.

I shared this post on Life As Mom

Aloha Friday

Aloha Friday sponsored by the blog An Island Life began as a place to celebrate the ease that is enjoyed in Hawaii. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. This meme allows bloggers to ask fellow bloggers easy questions that require simple easy answers.

December has been packed full of activiities Tonight we will all go to a favorite eating place and then go to a Christmas concert. I just love getting together with great friends and having lots of fun. We have a day where we will be taking cookies to the shut ins as well as caroling. So my question for you is:

Have you been able to enjoy any Christmas events? I would love to know what you have been doing as well

Good Morning

Good Morning I hope this gets you soing and living life to the fullest

Just Like Grandpa

This is a picture of a dear friend of mine and his grandkids. All though it was taken a few months ago I still think this picture is very sweet they all want to be like grandpa

shared on Household 6 Diva

Snack Size Giveaway

In the mood for a bit of a snack? Then Frito Lay may be just what you need to reach for. The prize package shown above is what the winner will get if they win the giveaway located on the blog Marias Space. To enter this giveaway head over to that blog and tell Maria what your favorite Frito Lay chip is. Its as easy as that giveaway ends December 27 2010 

Another Hay Needle giveaway

I love Hayneedle they offer some great products. I will continue to enter giveaways for Hayneedle giftcards until hopefully I win one. If you want to enter some check out the list below.

The blog My Silly Monkeys giveaway for $100 gift card to Hayneedle ends December 19, 2010 By the way if you have not been able to visit this blog you should do so she is a full time momma with a blog where she shares stories, offers lots of great giveaways and has fun

Ozone Sock Winners

The giveaway that was sponsored by Ozone Socks has ended and the two winners are:
0 4:22 AM


SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) said...

shared on myspace

http://mysp.ac/fltavq

and

Prairiemaid said...


I like Garden Party and Cowboy Boots! But all of them are really *S.W.E.E.T.*





winners have been emailed and have 36 hourse to respond to claim their prize

Its Getting Busy Around Here Top 10 Post

The weekend starts today and it will be busy full of Holiday cheer this weekend. If you happen to have a down time today perhaps you would be interested in reading a few of my top post

Christmas tree ornament
Snack Taxi Review
Chocolate Covered Peeps
Ozone Socks Giveaway
Christmas Cookies 4 Way
Cathedral Windows Cookies
Rice Krispy Wreaths
Vintage Christmas Ornaments
Irish Dessert
What about the Shepherds

You are Invited To Brunch

Lori over at the Life As Mom blog asked us if we were to fix a brunch for the holidays what would we serve. After thinking about it for a bit I came up with the answer. We would have:

We would definitely have to have some sort of Breakfast Casserole One of our favorites is Breakfast Casserole with sausage as a main ingredient

A fruit salad would plate nicely beside the hearty casserole. Search for fruit salad recipes on my blog and you will find a variety of choices including a nice strawberry marmalad salad

 
Next it would be nice to serve a pastry, bread or muffin along side or for those looking for a lighter breakfast. Once again searching for breads, pastries or muffins on Annies Home will gain you many different recipes including these coconut muffins

Serve it all along side some delicious cranberry tea and you will have a delicious brunch for sure What would you make for a holiday brunch? I would love to hear what you have to share

Win a Macy's First Impressions Gift Sett

Macy's First Impressions is a collection of cute boutique clothes for children. You all know that I love to get my grandbaby everything that I can get her. She is a little doll and I love to dress her up. Take a look at what first impression offers

Want to enter a giveaway that gives you the chance of winning a Macy's First Impressions Gift Set? Head over to the blog Go Graham Go and enter the giveaway Giveaway ends December 23, 2010

Santa Came TO Town

Giveaway at SImply Being Mommy is for all the goodies to send a package

My kids, nephews, nieces and granddaughter have all learned to recognize the FedEx man and know that if he comes to the door most of the time something good will be in the package that he brings. I often send my granddaughter items since she lives away from me and I do not get to see her as much as I did before. So when I do I always take the time and wrap the package correctly so that I know that it will arrive to her nicely.  The blog Simply Being Mommy is hosting a giveaway where the winner will get all the supplies needed to send someone a great package Included in this giveaway prize is:
•An 8x8x8 brown FedEx box


•A roll of heavy-duty packing tape

•Bubble wrap

•Brown packing paper

•Holiday-themed address cards to put inside your packed box

•A $25 American Express gift card to ship your gifts at any FedEx location

•A Pack & Ship Tips sheet loaded with helpful info FedEx packaging experts

Giveaway ends December 14, 2010

Holly BLoggy Christmas

 sounds like it will be a great time be sure to join in on the fun

Cina Nut Hot Chocolate

1/2 cup Smucker's® Chocolate Sundae Syrups Ice Cream Topping


1/2 cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter

Ground cinnamon to taste

4 cups milk

Marshmallows or whipped cream

WHISK chocolate topping, peanut butter, cinnamon and milk in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, until the chocolate milk begins to steam and mixture is well blended. 2.REMOVE from heat. Ladle the hot chocolate into serving cups. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream. Serve immediately.



recipe source : Jif Peanut Butter

Rocky Road Brownies

My mother loves many different things with Rocky Road including ice cream, fudge and I have a good feeling she would like these as well.

1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) butter


3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

 In a 2- to 3-quart pan over low heat, frequently stir butter and chocolate until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and marshmallows until well blended.  Spread batter evenly in a buttered and floured 8-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle top evenly with walnuts.  Bake in a 350° oven until deep brown, 30 to 35 minutes.  Run a knife between pan rim and brownie. Let cool in pan on a rack, about 1 hour. Cut into 9 or 16 squares.

Buckeye Candy

My mother made these delicious cookies when I was still at home before I had my own family Now as a wife and mom I make these for my family as well

1 (16-ounce) jar creamy peanut butter


1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 (16-ounce) packages powdered sugar

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels

2 tablespoons shortening

Beat peanut butter and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until blended. Shape into 1-inch balls; chill 10 minutes or until firm. Microwave chocolate and shortening in a 2-quart glass bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice. Dip each ball in chocolate mixture until partially coated; place on wax paper to harden. Store in an airtight container.

Another Type of Christmas Tree

I found this while searching online and really took a liking to it so much so I thought I would share it with you all. This is what Betty Williams reffered to as a redneck Christmas Tree. What do you think?

Toy Soldier Christmas Tree Ornament

Old-fashioned clothespins (no springs)


Acrylic paints (white, black, red, brown and gold)

Red and black pom-poms

Glue

Gold thread

Begin by painting white or black trousers on each clothespin. Holding the clothespin by its rounded top, paint the portion from the upper edge of the split down to the tips. Line up finished clothespins on the edge of a shoe box (as you would if you were pinning them on a clothesline) and let them dry completely. Next, mix dabs of red, white and brown paint to create a skin tone and use it to paint the soldiers' heads. Paint red jackets on the sections between the heads and the trousers. Again, let the paint dry completely. Now, paint on distinguishing details, such as gold buttons and buckles, black arm outlines and facial features, and white gloves.Glue a red or black pom-pom onto the heads to create the soldiers' bonnets. Lastly, loop a length of gold thread around each clothespin below the soldier's head to use as a hanger.

Source: Family Fun

Christmas Potpourri

-- Pinecones

- Dried basil leaves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole star anise
- Dried berries
- Whole cloves
- Dried flowers, citrus fruits, apple slices, rosehips, pomegranates, etc.
- Cinnamon essential oil (found at natural food stores)


Start with a base of simple pinecones -any size and shape that you find works. I found some cute small round ones in my front yard. Add whatever ingredients you like. I've listed quite a few above, but if you don't like the smell of anise, don't add it. Or if you can't find basil leaves, just skip it. The great thing about this potpourri is that you can personalize to look and smell however you would like. If adding dried flowers, snip off the ends and break into small pieces. I've used cockscomb and statice for my example. Need to know how to dry orange and apple slices? Here's the perfect example for this Christmas craft project.  Put all the ingredients into a large plastic Ziploc bag. Add a few drops of the essential oil and shake. To keep this whole house smelling wonderful this season, add the potpourri to bowls around your house, and add a candle for an extra glow

shared at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Santa Advent Calendar

I am sorry that I did not share this earlier in the month as it just crossed my mind just recently. This is a super project to do with any child who can color and help you glue the cotton balls on. The best thing is that you can print the santa off

Organically Grown review

Organically Grown is much more than a name  it is the manner in which the products they have are produced. The Organically Grown company provides affordable, safe, stylish, high quality organic products from apparel and home decor to personal care items. Not only do they sell organic products but also support the organic farming community and organizations worldwide that are committed to a green, sustainable environment. They also act as an educational collective, offering information about the benefits of living an organic lifestyle.

One way that Organically Grown offers their consumers organic products is by selling products with organic cotton. In order for cotton to be considered organically grown it must be organic from beginning to end. Which means from seed to harvest the cotton is organic grown using only natural methods without use of chemicals and genetic modifications.

Organically Grown sent me the Organic Cotton Boys "Reindeer Friends" 3 Piece Bodysuit set

This great set includes three adorable bodysuits; two with embroidery, and one with a cute fall pattern. Free of toxins and chemicals to keep your baby safe, and softer than ever before. Comes with decorative padded hanger and 100% cotton guaranteed. You will feel good buying, your baby will feel good wearing it

This super cute 3 piece set from Organically Grown would be a perfect gift for any little guy at holiday time and would be perfect for wear during the holidays or even after. I love the fact that while the cute little reindeer and snowflakes help make the style of these onesies they do not overpower them making them perfect wear for the entire winter season. They arrive with all three placed together on a cute hanger. Perfect for hanging easily in the closet, wrapping as a gift would be an easy goal to accomplish as well, and the adorability of the outfits is second to none. 

Buy: you can purchase this adorable set at The Organically Grown website

Keep up with Organically Grown by following them on twitter or liking them on facebook

we received the product we shared in this post for review purposes only. The thoughts and opinions shared in this post are those of mine and have not been influenced and like opinions yours may be different than mine.

Consider Putting Cookies in Their Stockings

Do you have baseball fans in your house? Well then you may want to consider putting Cooperstown Cookies in their stocking. These are not any cookie but delicious cookies that come in tins that are replicas of the stadium where their favorite baseball team plays ball. Just take a look at the tin of Wrigley Field

To get your baseball fan these delicious cookies and their favorite teams tin visit Cooperstown Cookies


I have worked with Cooperstown Cookies at previous times but was not sent any products or financial means for this post It was simply my choice to share with my readers a Christmas Stocking idea

Brrrr.... Winter Weather is Here good time to stay in and read a few of my top post

You can definetly tell that winter is here BRRR!!!!!!!!!!! So I am warm and cozy writing to share with you the top post of yesterday.

Christmas Cookies 4 way
Cathedral Windows Christmas Cookies
Christmas Tree Ornaments
Vintage Christmas Ornaments
Christmas Cookie Exchange Party
All In One Hamburger Casserole
Rice Krispy Wreaths
Blue Christmas
free printable advent calendar
Meet Me Monday

ABC Wednesday Letter of the Day is the letter U.....

Many of us will find Christmas Presents under the tree just waiting for them to all be unwrapped by the ones that we love. The joy we have as we watch the gift we give be unwrapped as well as the joy we have of unwrapping those gift make wonderful memories.

While I was looking for the perfect U word to express udder excitement in Christmas I found this song from youtube and wanted to share it with U. The name of this song is Unwrap You and while you may get a ultimate thought in your mind the truth is that the song is about those that are missed this holiday season.

posted on ABC Wednesday

Princess is getting bigger

My how Princess has grown it has been a delight to watch her grow and change. Now I get to do the same with her brother when he is born. How fun it is to be a Grandma.
shared on twinfatuation

Win A Eureka

This giveaway will help you clean up for the holidays, after the holidays and keep on cleaning. I could really use a vac like this with grandkids and chiildren with allergies the filtrete would be wonderful. Want your chance to win this wonderful Eureka? Well head over to the blog 3 kids and us and enter before December 20, 2010

Win A Tastefully Simple Gift Basket

MomStart is hosting a giveaway for the delicious Tastefully Simple company. The gift basket that you and I have a chance to win is the Treats for You ($49.95) gift set, which includes:




· White Fudgy Flavored Popcorn

· Oh My! Chai Drink Mix

· Fudgy Popcorn

· Butterscotch Kisses Cocoa Mix

· Nutty Good Granola Snack Mix

· Oval organizer

I will admit that I am a bit hungry for some goodies now and have entered this great giveaway that will end December 27, 2010

HALO Sleepsacks now available at Target

HALO SleepSack wearable blankets are perfect for this type of weather but soft and safe enough to use year round. HALO is no stranger to my blog as I have posted about their wonderful products here and here and here HALO SleepSack does more than just offer warmth and comfort to infants and toddlers but also provides safety to your little ones and are CPSIA certified as well . HALO has a section on their website devoted to safety.

William Schmid the founder of HALO Innovations Inc. is also the father who realizes the pain of losing a child. In 1991 he lost a daughter to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In 1994 he has teamed up with his company to develop products that encourage healthier and safer sleeping as well as bring peace of mind to your own home. A percentage of HALO Innovations profits are donated to First Candle/SIDS Alliance and the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths to fun ongoing SIDS research, education and family support

As I stated I have had the great opportunity to share with my readers all about wonderful products that HALO make. When I shared with them that I was going to be a new grandma and my daughter was pregnant they sent me a sleep sack swaddle. This will allow the baby to stay warm without having to use any loose blankets perfect for a new born. My granddaughter Princess had one of these as well when she was around 5 months old and slept several months in it. Her mother loved it and purchased another to go with it

Follow HALO on facebook

Follow HALO on twitter

Buy: Great News HALO products are now available at Target, You can also still purchase HALO products at Amazon.com, on the HALO website, JCPENNY, and more see the HALO website to see other retail sites

as I shared in this post I did receive a sleepsack for product review purposes. The opinions I shared in this post are mine and are simply that opinions.

Win a stocking full of chocolate

We all know about the sugar cookies with the kiss in the middle that as a kid we called cyclops and how delicious they are. Did you know about all the other great goodies and crafts that can be done using Hershey kisses? Well then you will want to check them out many of which are listed over on the blog Go Graham Go and while there check out the great giveaway where a lucky person will get a stocking full of Hershey chocolates.  Giveaway ends December 15, 2010

Another chance to win a stocking full of hershey can be found at The Mommy Files this giveaway ends December 12, 2010