Enter to win a Sealy Soybean Dream Crib & Toddler Bed mattress

 as many of my readers know I am a grandma to one special little girl I call Princess and will very soon have a little Prince born to the family as well. My daughter the Queen of the two little jewels does her best to keep controll and that includes a scheduled naptime and bedtime for Princess and as we all know Prince will be sleeping a lot as babies normally do. With so much sleep going on they are sure to want a comfortable place to rest. That is why I entered the giveaway over at Minnesota Mama's Must Haves where a Sealy Soybean Dream Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress is being sponsored in a giveaway by Kolcraft. Want a chance to win? Then enter by the end date of Feb 7, 2011

Make Adorable Valentine Conversation Heart Soap

The blog Suzy Artsy Craftsy Sitcom shared the how to's on how to make these fun valentine conversation heart soaps.

Super Cute Felt Purse To Make For Your Little Valentine

Find out how to make this sweet purse at Momtastic 

If you are stopping by from a blog hop please leave me a comment so that I may follow you back

Delicious Valentine Idea and Printable Valentine Labels

Visit Whipperberry for a delicious idea to share with your valentine and they also offer their cute labels for you to download and print

Valentine Centerpieces

The theme over at Funky Junk Interiors this week is centerpieces so I decided to do a quick look around the www. to find a few lovely centerpieces and share my top favorites so here they are for you all to enjoy

 from decorate your table.com this inviting centerpiece that offers a bit of LOVE after all that is what Valentine is all about

I so can remember these honeycomb style centerpieces it seems my mother had them all over the place when i was growing up. This one you can find at Twin Supply.com

Here is one filled of love for you from delish.com full of celebration with lots of reds

This one from you can make this looks easy enough to make but so yummy I may have to buy enough taffy to create the look and eat some as well

With Ground Hog day looming just around the corner and the decision of early spring or more winter being a very important one I wanted to make a special dish for the ocassion I think I found the perfect thing on the blog Happiness is Homemade These super cute groundhog cookies show him just peeking out not yet deciding to go back in or stay out a bit longer.

 To make these cookies you will need:


Cookie dough: sugar cookies, chocolate chip, or peanut butter - choose ONE - which ever you like best - all would work.

"Grasshoppers" or a similar store bought cookie that is covered in Chocolate (Girl Scout thin Mints would work well too).

Small marshmellows, chocolate chips, Hershey's chocolate Kisses, peanut M&Ms (or gum drops), dark chocolate icing and green icing.



So here's how I made them:

I was short on time, so I bought cookie dough. For the base - they suggested sugar cookie dough , but I like chocolate chip cookies much more, plus, since it represents "the ground" I figured the color was better and the chips could be rocks or whatever in the dirt. The instructions said to form the ball of cookie dough around a Hershey's kiss (unwrapped - OF COURSE!!), so I used a little more dough than you normally would have and did that. As the cookies bake, this leaves a lump or "hill" in the center of the cookie, which is the groundhogs den or hole. Bake the cookies according to the normal directions, being sure to leave plenty of room for them to spread out as they bake (2 to 3 inches). HOWEVER, BEFORE you put the cookies in the oven, do this next step, because you need to have these ready when the cookies come out of the oven. I would have said to do this first, but you wouldn't know how many to do until you see how many cookies you can make with the amount of cookie dough you have. So count the number of "base" cookies you have made. Take that same number of "grasshopper Cookies" (or whatever you have choosen) and cut a small semi circle out of one side of them with a paring knife. I wish I had a picture for you - it looks like a small bite has been taken out of the cookie - which would be a faster way to do it than using a knife - but not nearly so sanitary!!! I guess if you were ONLY making them for yourself - you could do it that way!!!! (teehee) Anyway, when you have prepared the Grasshoppers, then go ahead and bake the "base" cookies. And Yes, you can eat the "bites" - because we won't be using them for anything else! When the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool a few minutes, but not completely. Then push the Grasshoppers into the cooling cookies - bite-side down - at the back of the "hill" in the cookie. The Grasshopper cookie should "stand up". If it falls over when you let go of it - the cookies may still be too warm. Simply hold the Grasshopper cookie in place for a few minutes as the cookie cools a little more and it should stay. If that still doesn't work, you can put some icing behind the cookie to help hold it up - but I did not have to do this for any of mine. Now it's time to turn the Grasshopper cookies into Ground hogs. I added the noses first because if you add the eyes first - you might not have quite enough room for the noses. I used dark brown Peanut M&M's for the noses, becasue I thought they looked more like noses than the gum drops on the original cookies. You could also use regular M&M's or any other candy you might choose. Attach or "glue" them in place using the dark brown icing. Then add the marshmellows for the eyes - also attaching with the brown icing. Then add the ears - AGAIN - attaching them with the chocolate icing. The flat part of the chocolate chips, face forward, to become the ears. The final step for the Ground Hogs is the centers of the eyes - using the brown icing and a #4 tip, give the eyes pupils. Have fun with this, you can give them expressions and personalities by how you place the pupils. They can be looking to the right, or left, up or down, even crosseyed!!!! The final step is adding the "grass" - I used what I call the "grass or fur tip" - it's #233. You can add a little or a lot, depending on what you want. If I had had more time, I might have added a little flower or two for fun as well.

Valentine Sun Catchers

These adorable sun catchers caught my eye. I can remember making sun catchers when I was younger and then I made some with my own children. These sun catchers are perfect for crafts at home, sunday school class or even homeschool lessons. I found this craft along with the easy direction on a blog that is new to me Mommyapolis You may want to visit her blog because from what I see there are lots of great ideas to be found there

Supplies:


Clear contact paper
Colorful tissue paper cut into small squares, triangles, circles, etc.. Older children can do the cutting themselves
Decorative ribbon
Scissors

Directions:

Cut 2 identical large squares out of the contact paper. Peel off the backing on ONE square and place it sticky side up in front of your child. Keep the other square for later use. Give them a stack of cut up tissue (I precut the tissue, but like I said depending on the age of your child he/she may be able to do this alone). Tell them to put the tissue ONE PIECE at a time all over the sticky stuff. Encourage them to fill up the entire sticky square. When they are finished, take the square away and place the other piece of contact paper on top of it so that the sticky sides are touching. You can then cut the contact paper in what ever shape you would like. I obviously chose hearts, but we have made all different shapes for all different holidays. Cut or punch a hole in the top of your heart and attach a ribbon… Show your child how to catch some sun in their favorite window


shared on:

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://www.itsablogparty.com/

Win American Express $100 Gift Card

Not only will Prilosec make you physically feel better but they are also sponsoring a giveaway on the blog fun saving money The giveaway ends 2/2/11

Six Word Saturday

 This is a day off for me and I have been having a wonderful time today listening to the radio auction. It is an auction that benefits the local girl and boy softball and baseball teams. I have won a gift certifiate to a local restraunt so for valentine day me and hubby have our meal bought with money goint to a worthy cause. Do you all have anything like this in your area?

my 6 word saturday phrase is:

Today Im listening to radio auction.

Valentine Tutu & Clip Set giveaway

This super cute tutu and headband is the prize in a giveaway being hosted on the blog Mama To 3 Blessings  and is sponsored by Sweet Lilly Tutus Just think how cute your little one would look in this sweet set I am sure that Princess would look adorable so I am in it to win it. This giveaway ends 2/8/2011  

One great deal that I found last night on my weekly shopping trip was nursing scrub tops at $4 a piece this was less than 1/3 of the price. Why so low? Because of changing styles I believe they were left over from Christmas but did not look all christmasy. I am sharing this great deal over on the blog The Frugal Free Gal share your deals there as well and if you want please leave me a comment here as well

ShoeBuy.com giveaway

If you are like me and my kids you probably have several pairs of shoes but can always use or want another pair of shoes. One great place to find these shoes is located at ShoeBuy.com I entered the giveaway located on the blog Piece of Me where someone is going to win a $50 gc to ShoeBuy.com This giveaway ends 2/10/11

Saturday 9

these are difficult questions to answer in my opinion read my answers and then if you participate as well i would love to read your answers as well so please leave a comment and link to yours


1. What celebrity do you think is the MOST foolish?

wow there are many right now that will probably be sorry for their action later on look at spears sisters or snooki for example of this




2. What are 5 things you don't care about?

wow in a world where there is a lot to care about this is a hard question for me this morning. (1) I don't care how tall or short people are we all made with God's idea in mind (2) what color people hair have I see so many girls coming to work with different colors of hair while very pretty we never really know what color of hair individuals have (3) I don't care how much money people have as those with or without lots of money have thier own personality and some are very nice and others well we won't talk about that (4) I really dont care how my chicken is prepared I truly love it many different ways and if you are cooking it all the better (5) I really don't care how people exercise I truly think that they should to stay fit as much as possible but I am not as capable as others but I still do try to walk and move as much as possible



3. What 'issue' do you think your opinion is so right about that you end up trying to sway others to your point of view?

There are a few that I feel strongly about but one of the most that I try to share my opinion on is that Jesus Christ is our savior he died on the cross for our sins so that we may spend eternity with him John 3:16



4. What personality do you like to listen to on the radio?

Deliliah

5. What culture are you fascinated by?

the Native American culture is one that fascinates me

6. You are alone with your lover's diary. What do you do?

wow hard one I have in the past took a peek but I think now after 24 years of marriage I would simply trust him

7. What frustrates you?

lots of things like my teens heading down a path that I know is not good for them but can not persuade them to see the error of their ways

8. Do you remember the first time you were on the internet? What did you do first?

wow many years ago I think chat and email and probably games were my favorite items back then

9. What was the biggest fight you have ever had with someone?
 
with my dad we were both hard headed individuals who did not want to give in by the end we did fix our problems and I am so thankful that it all worked out

Sex In A Pan

I can remember my grandmother when sunday guest would come stopping by she would serve up some coffee and dessert so hope you are in the mood for some chocolate Please leave a comment letting me know you stopped by.

BASE:


1 cup all-purpose flour (250 ml)

1/2 cup (125 ml) butter

2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar

1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped nuts

CREAM CHEESE FILLING:

8 ozs (250 ml) cream cheese

2/3 cup (150 ml) icing sugar

1 cup (250 ml) Cool Whip

PUDDING MIX TOPPING:

2 1/2 cups (625 ml) milk

2 - 3 1/2 ozs instant pudding mix (vanilla or chocolate or flavour of your choice)

1 cup (250 ml) Cool Whip

Garnish (coconut, nuts, marashino cherries, chocolate curls, etc...)

To prepare the base, combine flour, butter, sugar and nuts. Mix until crumbly. Press into greased 10" spring form pan or square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Let cool. In the meantime, prepare the cream cheese filling by beating the cream cheese with the icing sugar. Fold in 1 cup of cool whip until well blended. Spread over the cooled crust. Refrigerate while making the topping. To prepare the pudding mix topping, add the milk to the instant pudding mix following the directions on the package. Let cool. Top with remaining cool whip. Garnish with coconut, chopped nuts, shaved chocolate or marashino cherries, strawberries. Refrigerate before serving. Yields about 12 to 16 servings

Recipe Source : Cook Eat Share

Chicken Nachos

1/2 cup Pace® Chunky Salsa


1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup

1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

1 bag (about 10 ounces) tortilla chips

Chopped tomato

Sliced green onion

Sliced pitted ripe olive


Heat the salsa, soup and chicken in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring often. Spoon the chicken mixture over the chips. Top with the tomato, onion and olives

Recipe Source: pace

Football Food : Pork Fajitas

1 1 1/4-pound pork tenderloin, thinly sliced


1 teaspoon ground cumin

kosher salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, sliced

2 bell peppers, sliced

8 flour tortillas

1 avocado, cut up

1 cup cilantro

1/2 cup sour cream

Season the pork with the cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, cook the pork until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a second skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve the tortillas with the pork, vegetables, avocado, cilantro, and sour cream.

recipe source: real simple

Amish Breakfast Casserole

1 pound sliced bacon, diced


1 medium sweet onion, chopped

6 eggs, lightly beaten

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) 4% cottage cheese

1-1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese

In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp; drain. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.

recipe source: Taste of Home

shared at
nifty thrifty sunday
block party

Beer Battered Onion Rings

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 4 onion rings and 1 tablespoon ketchup)


2 large onions, peeled (about 1 1/2 pounds)

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup flat beer

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

Cooking spray

1/4 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 400°. Cut the onion crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick slices, and separate into rings. Use 16 of the largest rings; reserve remaining onion for another use. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, paprika, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in beer and egg white (batter will be thick). Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dip 5 onion rings in batter, letting excess drip off. Add onion rings to pan; cook for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Place the onion rings on a jelly-roll pan. Repeat procedure of dipping onion rings in batter and cooking in remaining oil, ending with 6 rings. Coat the onion rings with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until crisp. Serve rings with ketchup.

Kitchen Notes

Unless for some unknown reason you have an open can of beer in your refrigerator, try this simple way to flatten the suds you need for this batter. Measure 1/2 cup beer in a small bowl, and stir with a fork. You're left with about 1/3 cup flat beer.

recipe source: my recipes

Flourless Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies

Makes 12



3 cups confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (spooned and leveled)

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (or other type of nut)

4 large egg whites, room temperature

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir in chocolate and pecans. Add egg whites and stir just until incorporated (do not overmix).

2.Drop dough by 1/4 cupfuls, 3 inches apart, onto two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake until cookie tops are dry and crackled, about 25 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cookies cool completely. (To store, keep in an airtight container, up to 3 days.)

Recipe Source Marthastewart.com: Flourless Double-Chocolate Pecan Cookies - Martha Stewart Recipes

Cate & Levi Sweater Puppets Craft

I thought I would share a bit about my friends Cate & Levi. They have been wonderfrul friends sending me not only a toy puppet to Princess but also a onesie to the little Prince when he arrives. I was delighted to see that Cate and Levi had made it onto the Martha Stewart show where they shared how to make a super cute sweater puppet

Sweater Puppets

Craft playful puppets out of moth-eaten or ill-fitting sweaters with this simple how-to from Cate & Levi crafter Josh Title. Hours of kid-friendly entertainment await.

Tools and Materials

•Puppet pattern template

•Scissors

•Felted wool sweaters or scraps

•Felted wool cuff (from sweater bottom)

•Embroidery needle and threads for eyes and nose

•Pins

•Sewing machine

•Iron

Print puppet template. Cut all the pattern pieces from felted wool sweaters or felted wool scraps. Cut the front, back, and one of the bottom mouth pieces (the chin) from one color of sweater. Cut the other bottom and top mouth pieces (inside of mouth) from another color. Cut the top and bottom of the face pieces from contrasting colors. Cut the ears from any of the colors used (front and back of ears can be different); cut the eyes from a light color. Cut the puppet cuff from the cuff on the body of a sweater, ensuring the finished edge is included.
Begin by assembling the dog's face. Stitch an "X" in each of the eyes with embroidery floss. Pin the eyes and nose to the face, as indicated on the pattern, and sew around the edges with a zigzag stitch to secure. Fold the notch on the face bottom inward, placing right sides together, and straight-stitch along edge from wrong side. Butt the eye patch and face piece together; zigzag stitch to connect.
Match front and back ear pieces together, right sides facing, for both ears. Stitch all around the ears, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out.
Pin the ears to the top of the face, matching raw edges, with ears pointing downward toward the puppet's nose. The inside curve of the ear should be positioned toward the side of the puppet. Layer the back piece of the puppet right side down over the face front, sandwiching the ears between. Pin the pieces together and sew along the top curve, trimming seam allowance.
With right sides together, pin the front piece to the back piece, aligning straight bottom and side edges. Sew one side seam from top to bottom, leaving the second side and bottom open.
With right sides facing, layer the upper mouth piece over one lower mouth piece, matching the colors to form the inside mouth of the puppet. Pin and sew these pieces together along the inside curve. Open the "mouth" and match the second bottom mouth piece (chin) on top of the inside bottom mouth piece, right sides facing. Stitch these two pieces together along the outside curve. Turn the "pocket" that is formed by the two bottom mouth pieces right side out.
With right sides facing, pin the top of the mouth to the face and the bottom of the mouth (chin) to the puppet front, matching curves. Stitch the mouth in place along curves. Sew the second side seam to close the puppet sleeve.
Turn puppet right side out. Wrap cuff around bottom of sleeve, with right side facing in and raw edge toward bottom. Pin and stitch in place. Flip cuff right side out and steam-press all seams.

You may also want to check out how to make the great Pillow Pal that they also demonstrated how to make

Dont forget to check out the great products available from Cate & Levi on their website.

Friday Fragments

It's been a bit since I last created a post for Friday Fragments. I have been quite busy this month starting a job, helping my daughter prepare for my grandchild to be born and organizing my house all though there is still lots to be done has occupies a lot of my time. I do miss participating in as many memes as I did at one time and today my luck with that may just change. Today I go to buy my laptop with the $500 I received from Social Mom network for creating a post on a subject I know a lot about stress during the holidays.

I went back to work as a nurse aide. I have 15 years of experience with this. This time I am working in a nursing home with patients with severe behaviors. This job can be challenging and fun at the same time. The girls that I work with are wonderful and all though the boss I have is not truely a people person she is understanding and a good boss. I look forward to staying with this position for some time

My daughter is so close to her date of having our little Prince that it is not even funny. Next month is the month that will be his birth month. As it stands it will all depend on the doctor and our Little Prince as to when the date will actually be. My daughter goes in for special testing on the 9th and depending on the babys development he will either be born on the 10th or two weeks later. Wow very exciting time.

My hubby and I have decided that our house could use a bit of organizing so we have started with the kitchen. Today we will go on our shopping trip to find cool storage products to use.I would love to have any tips from my readers if they have any they have used before Thanks in advance as many of the great ideas I get are from readers of my blog

So these are just a few fragments of my life what is going on in my life

Book Review: Lets Do Lunch

Hardcover: 196 pages


Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 30, 2005)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 078521321X

ISBN-13: 978-0785213215


Lets Do Lunch is a book that explains why the way we look at dieting may not be the way we should. Roger Troy Wilson weighed 425 lbs. and had a 5 foot waist. Losing weight was no longer a thought that he had any longer.For the most part he had started to prepare and pray to die and go to heaven. The diets he had tried he had not been successful with and losing weight seemed to be impossible. Roger had experimented with different foods and dieting patterns in a fifteen year period of time and developed a plan on how to loose weight and have more enjoyment in life doing so. The plan worked for him and he lost over 1/2 his weight and was able to maintain the weight loss for years. So many of us try so many different things to loose weight yet frustration often overtakes us and we are not successful. The book Doing Lunch helps to reveal the manner to loose weight in a less stressful manner. The book Doing Lunch reveals the secret that Roger found out as well as other information on foods that we may not have been aware of, ways to eliminate cravings, what places are best for getting something quick to eat, and lots of useful information to help make the goal of losing weight possible.

Cheesecake.com Giveaway

Nearly everyone I knw loves cheesecake but none more than my son in law the father of my two grandchildren. I first learned of his love obsession with cheesecake at the wedding where he married my daughter. Ofcourse there was the traditional wedding cake but there was also delicious cheesecake YUMMY!!! I just entered the giveaway that KiddiesCorner Deals is hosting where Cheesecake.com is the sponsor and the prize is a 4 lb. cheesecake . Sounding yummy yet? You will want to enter this giveaway bfore it ends February 13, 2011

Wilton Giveaway

Cake Pops seem to be all the rage at this time. A good friend of mine loves to make and decorate them. I would love to try them and if I happen to win the valentines day prize package sponsored by Wilton and being hosted by Baby Loving Mama. The giveaway ends February 9, 2011

A Day At The Home Spa Thanks TO Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

Beauty is an item in life that is all around and yet it is something that often cost quite a bit of money if one is not careful. The cost of a day at the spa may mount up to quite a sum of money. That is why many have started to do with out or do with less. I can remember the stories my mom would share with me about getting dolled up for a date with my dad. With little to no money she would try to find every trick to look the best. What if I told you that one of the most inexpensive items in your kitchen cupboard is a wonderful spa ingredient that can make you feel like a million dollars.

 I am sure that my mom would have loved to have known the secrets that the little yellow box of baking soda in her kitchen had to share within the realm of beauty. Arm and Hammer baking soda a common cooking ingredient can also make you feel like you have spent the day at the spa as well but spent only pennies for a day of beauty.

I was lucky enough recently to receive a  delightful box of products from Arm & Hammer Baking Soda through the group MomCentral. The basket included box and designer shaker of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda along with how-to’s to recreate spa treatments at home; an aromatherapy candle, organic tea bags and a tea cup to create a spa experience; a nail kit, nail polish, lavender oil for a manicure/pedicure; and a terrycloth hair wrap and organic wash cloth for a facial.

Having started a new job directly after the holidays has taken a bit of a stressful toll on me. I was up for a day of pampering and loved the fact that (1) I did not have to go outside into the cold and (2) it was at a very affordable price not only because of the lovely box of goodies but because the needed items were in reach. I invited a friend over and we took a day of enjoying each others company and pampering. A few of the spa recipes that we tried included

Facial Glow

Mix 3 parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda with 1 part water. Cleanse skin as usual, followed by the gentle scrub. (Be careful to avoid eye area). Rinse with warm water. Leaves skin feeling nourished and refreshed.

Exfoliating Pedicure

Blend 2 tablespoons of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in a basin of warm water. After a nice soak, make a scrub using 3 parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and 1 part water. Follow with an application of a rich moisturizer and a warm towel foot wrap. Let sit for 5 - 10 minutes. Feet will feel smooth and clean.

Brightening Manicure

Dip brush into Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and scrub nails and cuticles. Make a paste of 3 parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle, circular motion over hands and fingers to exfoliate and smooth. Rinse clean with warm water and apply polish as usual.

 I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Arm & Hammer and received a beauty basket to thank me for taking the time to participate. I thank them for the product that was sent for me to review. I have shared my candid personal thoughts and opinions in this post They are my opinions and others may or may not agree with them 



Warm Fudge Filled Cheesecake

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened


1/3 cup sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon vanilla, divided

2/3 cup chopped pistachios

4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate mini-morsels

Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Garnish: chocolate shavings

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; add 1/3 cup sugar, beating well. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and pistachios. Press into bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; gradually add 1 1/2 cups sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Stir in remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla. (Do not overmix.) Pour half of batter into crust; sprinkle with chocolate morsels to within 3/4 inch of edge. Pour in remaining batter, starting at outer edge and working toward center. Place cheesecake on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until set. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Serve slightly warm with sweetened whipped cream, if desired. Garnish, if desired.

recipe source Southern Living 1998

shared on

 

shared on mom trends as well

Lily Organics January Deal

Lily Organics has a special going on in January where if you spend $50 before tax and shipping you can get a Lily Organics survival pack free. Enter code LP013111 in comments, call 303-455-4194, or email orders to answers@lilyorganics.com This giveaway ends 1/31/11

Lily's Winter Survival Pack Includes:

Trial size Organic Moisturizing Cream

Trial size Seven Facial Rejuvenating Oil Treatment

Full size Kissable Lips

Trial size Rejuvenating Enzyme Mask

Two Nourishing Facial Cleanser samples

Crescent Apple Dumplings

1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls


1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled

16 red-hot candies

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 tablespoons grapefruit or citrus soda

1 to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Vanilla ice cream, optional

Unroll crescent rolls and separate into eight triangles. Cut apple into eight wedges. Place an apple wedge and two red-hots on each crescent triangle. Bring up corners of dough to center; pinch edges to seal. Place in a greased 8-in. square baking dish.  In a small bowl, combine the sugar, butter and vanilla; spoon over rolls. Slowly pour soda around the rolls (do not stir). Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream if desired. Yield: 8 dumplings.

recipe source: taste of home

Pearl Paradise giveaway

In an earlier post I shared with you one thing about my mother that I loved was her beautiful pearls. Pearls are one of the stylish most beautiful items that I know of. I just entered the giveaway located at Menopausal New Mom where a lucky winner will get a set of pink pearls fom Pearl Paradise   Giveaway ends February 14, 2011

Pampers Gifts to Grow

You can get 42 points by entering this code: VMF776C7HMXXT4A

thanks to Bargain Briana

Beefy Corn and Black Bean Chili

1 pound ground round


2 teaspoons salt-free chili powder blend (such as The Spice Hunter)

1 (14-ounce) package frozen seasoned corn and black beans (such as Pictsweet)

1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium beef broth

1 (15-ounce) can seasoned tomato sauce for chili (such as Hunt's Family Favorites)

Reduced-fat sour cream (optional)

Sliced green onions (optional)

Combine beef and chili powder blend in a large Dutch oven. Cook 6 minutes over medium-high heat or until beef is browned, stirring to crumble. Drain and return to pan.  Stir in frozen corn mixture, broth, and tomato sauce; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Uncover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Ladle chili into bowls. Top each serving with sour cream and onions, if desired

recipe source: my recipes

Skin Free January Special

Skin Free January special is 50% off all their skin free products. The sale will run from January 26th through Sunday Sunday, January 30th. To take advantage of this special discount use the code BRRRR!!! ente the code exactly as shown as it is case sensitive. Free shipping is available for orders over $50.


Skin Free Super Moisture Body Balm 8 fl oz

Skin Free Extra Moisturizing Soap 3.5 oz