April Fools Dessert Idea : Fool your Family

believe it or not these are cupcakes. I know it looks like a t.v dinner or a delicious chicken dinner. What a great april fools dessert this would make to serve to your family. There are many more great ideas to check out on the http://hoosierhomemade.com/april-fools-day-cupcakes-cupcake-corner/

Saturday 9 A Long December

1. Looking back at it now, how were your holidays and your time on New Year's Eve?


it was a bit sad family was unable to be together this year hoping next year will be better

2. Do you have any unusual collections?


no not really I only really collect rag dolls

3. If you could train a machine to do one thing for you whenever you wanted, what would you have it do?

I think that I want a clone to do whatever it is that I don't want to do that day

4. What is one thing that makes you cry?

for the last three days my toothache


5. What do you love to do on the weekend?

spend time with family

6. Do you and your family get along?

for the most part yes there are times where we disagree but then what family doesn't

7. Have you ever gotten kicked out somewhere? If yes, do tell.

not that I can remember


8. Who do you normally turn to when you need to complain about something?

hubby is the best one that fits that job

9. What is the last thing you ordered on-line?

cable services

Vanilla Cheesecake

3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature


4 eggs

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 prebaked Ginger Graham Cracker Crust

1 cup sour cream

Make the Ginger Graham Cracker Crust. Preheat oven to 325° F. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add 1 cup of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and mix until well combined.
Pour the batter into the crust and bake until set, 45 to 50 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the remaining sugar and vanilla. Pour the mixture over the cheesecake, spreading it to the edge. Bake 5 minutes. Cool and refrigerate overnight before serving

http://www.shibleysmiles.com/2011/03/relax-surf-sunday-march-27-2011.html

Yoplait Kids Review and Giveaway

When my children were little they loved yogurt and my grand-daughter does as well. I love the fact that they enjoy snacking on yogurt because it is very good for them. Yoplait Kids is an excellent source of both calcium and vitamin D and had a taste that kids love. Created with children in mind it has 25% less sugar than other leading kids' yogurt and has n high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Parents and Grandparents can feel confident about serving it to their kids. Parents and kids both are satisfied with Yoplait Kids for the tasty flavor options that are available and the fact that it is packed  calcium, vitamin D and protein that are needed for strong bones. At just $2.00 for a pack of four, yoplait kids comes in three delicious flavors, including Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla. Kids will also love that some of their favorite cartoon friends like Dora the Explorer, Lightning McQueen from "Cars" and the Disney Princesses are on every cup.


MyBlogSpark has supplied me with a coupon to share that will allow you to save on Yoplait Kids Yogurt simply click on this link http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/76ee/  to download a printable coupon* for $0.50 off the purchase of one (1) four-pack of Yoplait Kids yogurt today!

My take on Yoplait Kids is I love it and the fact that it is a nutritious snack for my grand-babies.

We were sent a lovely package of goodies from Yoplait and MyBlogSpark. The package consisted of [a coupon for Yoplait Kids yogurt, a foldable travel cooler (to take your yogurt on-the-go), a cool four-piece spoon set, a power magnet picture frame, trendy alphabet-shaped “Kiddie Bands”, a great big bounce ball and a “My First Scavenger Hunt” card game for some after-snack fun
The great news is that you MyBlogSpark and Yoplait Kids is giving one of Annies Home readers the chance to win their own package of goodies just like mine.
 
To enter this giveaway tell me who it is that you would share this snack with.
 
Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• subscribe to my blog via feed or reader (2 entries each)
• place my blog button on your blog let me know where you place it (3 entries)
• place my blog text link on your log leave link of location (3 entries)
• follow yoplait on twitter
• like yoplait on facebook
• share this giveaway on your blog, facebook or other source and leave me the link (5 entries each)
• comment on any post on my blog (2 entries each unlimited)

Giveaway starts now and ends April 8, 2011. Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries will not count

I would like to thank Yoplait Kids and MyBlogSpark for sending me the very nice prize package and supplying one to the lucky winner on my blog

Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs


3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg



TOPPING:

1 pound pitted canned or frozen tart red cherries

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Red food coloring, optional

Directions

In a bowl, combine crumbs and butter. Press gently onto the bottom of 12 paper-lined muffin cups. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, vanilla, lemon juice, sugar and egg; beat until smooth. Spoon into crusts. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until set. Cool completely.

Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup juice in a saucepan; discard remaining juice. To juice, add cherries, sugar, cornstarch and food coloring if desired. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; boil for 1 minute. Cool; spoon over cheesecakes. Chill for at least 2 hours. Yield: 12 servings.

recipe source: Taste of Home

shared at

Slow Cooker Asian Feast

1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce


1/2 cup dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

12 ounces soba noodles

2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced

1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed

chopped roasted peanuts, for serving

In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, stir together the soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper. Add the pork and toss to combine. Cover and cook until the pork is tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours (this will shorten total cooking time). Fifteen minutes before serving, cook the soba noodles according to the package directions, adding the bell peppers and snow peas to the water during the last minute of cooking. Meanwhile, transfer the pork to a medium bowl; set aside. Pour the cooking liquid into a large skillet and boil until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the pork and toss to combine. Serve the pork over the noodles and vegetables; sprinkle with the peanuts.

recipe source: real simple

Delicious Fish Meal

Salt and pepper


1/2 pound thin egg pasta or angel hair pasta

4 thin tilapia or snapper fillets

Old Bay Seasoning

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

4 tablespoons butter

2 large cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped

1/2 cup white wine

2 lemons

1/4 cup drained capers

A handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

3/4 pound fresh spinach, cleaned and trimmed

A little freshly grated nutmeg

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Meanwhile, pat the fish dry and season with salt, pepper and a little Old Bay. On a plate, mix the flour and cornstarch. Coat the fish in the flour mixture. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and let it foam up, then add the fish fillets and cook, turning once, until golden-brown and firm, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the fillets to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan and return to the heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon EVOO, 1/2 turn of the pan, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to melt. Stir in the garlic for 1 minute, then stir in the wine for another minute. Add 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel and the juice of 1 lemon. Thinly slice the remaining lemon and stir the slices into the sauce, along with the capers and parsley. Spoon the sliced lemons and half of the butter sauce over the fish. Add the reserved pasta water and the pasta to the skillet. Add the remaining butter sauce and season with salt and pepper; toss. Transfer the pasta to a platter. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon EVOO, 1/2 turn of the pan, to the skillet. Add the spinach, season with salt, pepper and the nutmeg and cook to wilt. Serve the fish with a little pasta and spinach alongside.

recipe source: Racheal Ray

Free Yoplait Coupons for the First 20

Yoplait provided me with this opportunity, information and product samples/coupons through MyBlogSpark

Warning Adult Review : The Adult Toy Shoppe

******* Warning*******

The content Below is for mature eyes only. This review and giveaway is for adults only. If you feel uncomfortable with adult content please do not go beyond this point. I have wrote this post using dignity and maturity and hope that you will find it non-offensive. However, this review is for products that are sexual in content. 

Winter is over and the weather should be starting to heat up. Why not heat up the pleasure between you and your partner as well. Spicing things up in the bedroom can be a fun thing to do and shopping for that perfect item(s) to help warm up the night. The products available at The Adult Toy Shoppe are perfect for couples play and are sure t increase the warmth of each individual partner leading up to an intense orgasm. The Adult Toy Shoppe has the right toys and sex related products for men, women and couples. Not only do they carry a great selection of adult toys and novelties but these products that you choose to offer arrive in a private, secure, discreet manner. 

We chose to review a fun game to help set the mood. I think one problem that we often have is setting the mood and getting away from the stresses of the day. By changing the conversation a bit and making it fun the excitement builds. The game

Party Truth or Dare Adult Game
Product Description
Imagine finding out your friends' darkest secrets or daring them to do something you've always wanted to watch them do. A great adult party game. Very popular and best selling adult party board game

Old Lady and Baby Day at School

Whether you feel young or old today Welcome to my blog Annies Home. Here you will find lots of tips, fun, recipes and product reviews and giveaways. Please leave a comment and let me know you visited today I would love to return the visit and follow back as well

Hummus With Tomato and Mint Salsa

The Hummus:


2-15 oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained warmed in the microwave/oven top

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup tahini

The Salsa:

2 medium tomatoes-diced

1/4 cup diced white onions

2 Tbs chopped fresh mint

1 Tbs lemon juice .Directions

1. Puree chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic and 2/3 cup water in processor/blender for 3-4 minutes



2. Add tahini and puree 2 minutes. If you like chunky hummus-leave some un-pureed.



3. Season with salt and pepper



4. Stir together all of the ingredients in the salsa and let stand for 5 minutes. Top the hummus with the salsa and enjoy!



recipe source : Super Sproutz

Aloha Friday : Spring Planting

Aloha Friday as explained by the host :+

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends

 

Spring is in the air and I have all ready started early spring planting. It seems as soon as March creeps up I am ready to start planting. So my question for you on this Aloha Friday is

Have you started planing for spring yet? If so what have you planted? If not yet what if anything do you plan on planting?

Giveaways I entered

VeggieTales seems to be the rage of many young children. Parents and grandparents like me love them as well. The reason is simple because I think the lessons that are learned by watching the veggietales characters are important ones. I entered a giveaway where the winner will get the VeggieTales DVD 'Twas The Night Before Easter' There is so much to the Easter story and this DVD is a fun way to learn it. If you want to enter as well head over to the blog Mommy Katie and check it out. Giveaway ends April 18, 2011

I love to cook good food for my family and if there is a shortcut like Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Breast Strips then thats even better. I just entered a giveaway on the blog This Mom Can Cook where the winner will get a free coupon for the product shown above I can hardly wait to see what I can cook up for my family If you want your chance to enter and win head over there before the contest ends on March 31, 2011

I like, no I love to shop and I love to get my moneys worth. The ATG store has wonderful deals and allows our money to go even further. I entered a giveaway where the winner will get $100 gc at the ATG Stores. This giveaway is being hosted on the blog A Piece of Me and ends April 8, 2011

Sometimes A Smile Reflects Life In a World That is not Always Happy

This picture was taken last week on one of our many blessed days of sunny weather here in Southern Illinois This is my niece I like to call her Diva. Love her smile and just look at all the great reflections in this picture.


Weekend Reflections is a meme that was started here

Winners for Giveaways ending 3/24 were you one of them?

Winner of the SwaddleDesigns baby blanket is
Erin E said...

I follow you via Google Friend Connect (Sewmuchstuff).

Winner of the Baby Bangz Ear Muffs is
slb3334 said...

I like the pink diva camo.

Tacos by Heinz

1/2 cup Heinz® Tomato Ketchup


1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded, minced

1 tablespoon Heinz® Vinegar

1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon Cumin

1 tablespoon Vegetable oil

1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/8-inch strips

8 Taco shells, heated

Shredded cheese, optional

Shredded lettuce, optional

Diced tomato, optional

Sliced olives, optional

Sour cream, optional

Combine Ketchup, jalapeno pepper, vinegar, garlic powder, and cumin; set aside. In large skillet, heat oil and cook chicken until it is no longer pink, 5 minutes. Stir in Ketchup mixture. Simmer uncovered, on low heat, 10 minutes; stir occasionally. Spoon chicken filling into taco shells. Serve with cheese, lettuce, tomato, olives, and sour cream, as desired.


recipe source: Heinz
 

Enjoy Lighting Review and Giveaway 2 winners

I love candle light the romantic flicker of the flame, the glow that helps to keep us warm, the fact that one little flame can light up a room with such a glow Enjoy Lighting is the home of the first and most lifelike flameless candle. Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles you can enjoy the warm atmosphere and ambiance of candlelight without the unwanted fire risks or replacement costs. Enjoy lighting comes in a variety of styles, colors and fragrances to match any decor. They are the perfect tools to help decorate any room whether big or small. Enjoy Lighting candles are real wax candles that have 3 LEDs precisely placed and programmed to create a flickering effect that casts dancing shadows just like a real flame. The same romantic feeling that is in real candles are available in Enjoy Lighting candles.

Wax candles have a classic fragrance to provide freshness and ambiance The distressed candles pictured above come in a grand variety of colors and look as if they have naturally been found inside a house where they have been used for not only their beauty but also their usefullness. Enjoy Lighting candles last an average of 1000 hours and  saves 75% annual cost when compared to traditional wicked candles and are safe to use all around the home. The risk of fire or exposed flame has been taken care of with the flameless candle. Those after party wax cleanups where melted wax was found on carpets, furniture, table linens is no longer a problem because their is no melted wax. Enjoy Lighting has 3 LED's and a computer chip built into the candle produce multiple points of randomly shifting light, creating a glow that flickers, rolls, and casts dancing shadows just like a real candle flame would do. This to me makes them look like realistic candles.

About Enjoy Lighting:

Enjoy Lighting was founded in 2002 and is based in Azusa, California. With a reputation for innovative flamelss technology and distinctive realistic candle apperance Enjoy Lighting is always developing new lines and options. In 2010 Enjy Lighing opened franchises internationally in Australia and Brazil and serves as a distribution partner in Germany and France. For more information please visit www.enjoylighting.com or call (626) 969-1200.

We recieved a trio of candles to review and I must say that upon first inspection you could not tell that they were flameless candles. They look great in any room and were perfectly matched for either for my bedroom or living room. The colors and styles that are available from Enjoy Lighting leaves me resting assured that I would be able to blend them into any room of my house.
 
Buy: you can purchase Enjoy Lighting products at their website located at http://www.enjoylighting.com/ 
 
Win: Two of Annies Home readers will each win a candle from Enjoy Lighting (winners of past Enjoy Lightiing giveaway or review are not elgible)
To enter giveaway visit the Enjoy Lighting website at http://www.enjoylighting.com/ and let me know what candle you like best
 
Extra Entries:

• follow my blog through gfc (2 entries)
• subscribe to my blog via reader or feed (3 entries each)
• like Enjoy Flameless on facebook let them know you entered the giveaway on my blog (2 entries)
• follow Enjoy Flameless on twitter @EnjoyFlameless (2 entries)
• follow my blog on twitter (2 entries)
• tweet about the giveaway (1 entry per tweet unlimited) leave link in comment
• share this giveaway on facebook, your blog or other site (5 entries each) please leave link
• comment on any post on my blog (2 entries each unlimited)

Giveaway starts now and ends April 7, 2011 Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries do not count

I would like to thank Enjoy Lighting for letting me review a product as well as sponsoring this giveaway Thoughts and comments I shared in this post are mine and mine alone

I found these pictures on my aunts facebook page. She taught for many years at a small rural school. Since these pictures were taken outside I thought they would be perfect to share here and since I love many of these teachers I wanted to share this picture as well. Most of these teachers have since retired, some of them are no longer living here on Earth. All of them left an impression on my life that will never change.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

I entered this giveaway

I entered this giveaway for a kidorable raincoat. Is it not super cute. I would love to win this for my little princess. Want your chance to enter to win as well? Head over to the blog My Silly Monkeys giveaway ends April 6, 2011

This would be perfect for my 1 1/2 month old grand-son The stylish and useful products available at aden & anais has even more because they are all adorable as well. I entered this giveaway at http://www.mysillymonkeys.com/2011/03/aden-anais-dream-blanket.html and you can as well. The giveaway ends April 6, 2011

I was very impressed when I visited the sandbox lane. All the attractive products that are available there for mom. I entered this contest for a $25 gc to the sandbox lane at CakeBlast Contest ends March 28th.

I love the name, I love the look and I love the products that are available at Tadpoles Bedding Company. The blog A Piece Of Me is hosting a giveaway where the winner will win a PlayMat floor set that will help protect your little one as they travel through a day of play. This giveaway ends April 6, 2011 

Homemade Potato Chips and Blue Cheese Dip

1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) finely crumbled blue cheese


1/3 cup fat-free sour cream

2 tablespoons light mayonnaise

2 tablespoons skim milk

1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 pound russet potato, thinly sliced (about 1 large), divided

Cooking spray

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

Preheat oven to 400°. Place baking sheet in oven. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well. Cover and chill. Place potato slices on paper towels; pat dry. Arrange half of potato slices in a single layer on preheated baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Turn potato slices over; bake an additional 5 minutes or until golden. Repeat procedure with remaining potatoes and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve immediately with blue cheese mixture.


recipe source My Recipes

Lemon Crepes

2 1/3 cups Basic Batter 1/2 cup white cornmeal


2 tablespoons half-and-half

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting

Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon

3/4 cup heavy cream, chilled

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

In a large bowl, combine the batter, cornmeal and half-and-half. In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and lemon peel until fluffy. Beat in the lemon juice. Using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Fold into the cream cheese mixture and refrigerate.
Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Grease the pan with some butter. Add 2 tablespoons of the cornmeal batter and, tilting and rotating the pan, form a thin crepe. Cook until golden, 1 minute; flip and cook for about 15 seconds. Repeat with the remaining cornmeal batter and butter. In a heavy saucepan, bring the granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, undisturbed, until golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the apricots and 1/4 cup water. Meanwhile, working in batches, arrange the crepes on a work surface and spread some of the cream cheese mixture on each one. Fold the crepes in half, then fold in half again to form a fan. Top with the apricot-caramel sauce and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

recipe source here

Whats Your Favorite Cookie?

Hubby loves chocolate chip cookies I love peanut butter cookies. I found a perfect recipe that will make us both happy These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies recipe can be found here

Spice Up Your Chicken With This Recipe

2cups uncooked penne pasta (6 oz)
1tablespoon olive oil
1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2cloves garlic, finely chopped
1chipotle chile in adobo sauce (from 7-oz can), finely chopped1jar
 (16 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
2tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro


Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.2Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken and garlic in oil 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center. Stir in chile and Alfredo sauce; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. 3Serve chicken mixture over pasta; sprinkle with cilantro..
 
Recipe Source: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/chicken-with-chipotle-alfredo-sauce/

Cheese Cake Perfect for Diabetics

1 lb. cream cheese, at room temp


3 Large Eggs

1 Cup Sour Cream

2 Tsp Vanilla or any flavored Extract

1/4 Cup Truvia/Stevia

(optional: add 3 pkts of True Lime or True Lemon and omit vanilla)

Parchment Paper


Cream cheese, eggs, sour cream and vanilla Add in sweetener, a little at a time Line a cheese cake pan with parchment paper. Put the pan in a water bath at least 2" wider than the cake pan. Bake at 350 for one hour. Turn heat off and allow the cheesecake to sit in the oven for another hour. Cool to room temp and then refrigerate. When cooled remove the parchment paper and plate on a pretty dinner plate or platter. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

recipe source where you can find lots of great recipes is diabetic connect

Sloppy Joe Recipe #2

I shared a sloppy joe recipe the other day and now have a healthier sloppy joe recipe to share with you as well.

1 tablespoon EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)


1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or ground turkey breast

1 tablespoon poultry seasoning (a scant palmful)

Salt and pepper

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup dark amber pure maple syrup

About 3 tablespoons soy sauce

About 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

About 2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 rounded tablespoon dijon mustard

8 soft burger rolls, split

Shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, chopped scallions and chopped pickles, for topping

In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and season with the poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook until browned, then stir in the bell pepper, onion and garlic and cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 6 minutes. In a bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard. Pour the sauce over the meat and simmer over medium-low heat for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Serve the sloppy turkey on the rolls with the toppings

recipe source: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipes/rachael-ray-30-minute-meals/Sloppy-Maple-BBQ-Turkey-Joes

Craisins Hot Cross Buns

DOUGH:


3 3/4 to 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup butter or margarine, cut up

3 eggs

1 cup Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries

1 egg white, beaten



GLAZE:

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 to 2 tablespoons milk





DIRECTIONS:





Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and yeast in a large mixing bowl; mix well.



Combine 3/4 cup milk and butter in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat until very warm (120 to 130°F.). Add warm liquid and eggs to flour mixture; mix on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups additional flour by hand until dough forms and pulls away from side of bowl. Stir in cranberries.



Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Knead dough for 5 to 6 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and roll it around to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 50 to 60 minutes.



Lightly grease a large cookie sheet. Punch down dough; divide into 24 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball; place 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. With scissors, snip a cross in top of each roll. Cover; let rise until doubled in size, 20 to 30 minutes.



Heat oven to 375F. Brush rolls with egg white.



Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until rolls are golden brown. Cool slightly. Combine glaze ingredients in a small mixing bowl, adding enough milk for desired consistency. Using a decorating bag or spoon make a cross on top of each roll with glaze.



Makes 24 rolls.



recipe source OceanSpray

know someone who is expecting a baby? This would make a great baby shower gift or gift for the mother. Check it out here

What A Burger

I believe he was trying to build the better burger. Since the theme at Theme Thursday is building I think this may be the perfect picture

http://readingbetweenpages.wordpress.com/

shared on 5 minutes for mom and here as well as at http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.com/ and the single mommy blog and here and http://goodbyedisposablehellocloth.blogspot.com/

Gratituesday

Sunday was a very special day for me as I finally had the day off and was able to go to church with my family. It had been a while but I was so glad to be going. I walked into the church and instantly got a couple of hugs from some young girls that go to our church. They said " We missed you" That was very special to me.
I am also very thankful to work in a place that accepts me for who I am. My co-workers and those that I care for make it very well known that I am wanted. Thank you to all of them. It is that friendship and compassion that makes me want to go to work each day that I am scheduled.
I was very thankful that my hubby has been preparing the meals, helping to keep house straight and being my orginizational tool. We have been married for 24 years and he is my rock I am so thankful to have a man like him.

What are you thankful for? I would love to know share them here or in comments below.

Delicious Dessert Bars

These look so super yummy I think that I will be adding these to my Easter dinner line up. Yummy!!!! Go here to find the recipe

Stone Soup

Did you know this is the week to celebrate fables and folk tales? One of my favorites is the story of the Stone Soup.

Some travellers come to a village, carrying nothing more than an empty cooking pot. Upon their arrival, the villagers are unwilling to share any of their food stores with the hungry travellers. The travellers fill the pot with water, drop a large stone in it, and place it over a fire in the village square. One of the villagers becomes curious and asks what they are doing. The travellers answer that they are making "stone soup", which tastes wonderful, although it still needs a little bit of garnish to improve the flavor, which they are missing. The villager does not mind parting with just a little bit of carrot to help them out, so it gets added to the soup. Another villager walks by, inquiring about the pot, and the travellers again mention their stone soup which has not reached its full potential yet. The villager hands them a little bit of seasoning to help them out. More and more villagers walk by, each adding another ingredient. Finally, a delicious and nourishing pot of soup is enjoyed by all.

1 stone, big enough that it won't get lost in the soup (quartz is a good choice because it won't break down in cooking)


1 tbsp. butter or vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, trimmed and chopped fine

1 large carrot, cut into coins

3 medium red-skinned potatoes (unpeeled, and cut into halves)

1/2 sweet red pepper, chopped

1 large garlic clove, pressed

6 cups chicken broth (or a combination of broth and water)

1 medium zucchini, diced large

1 medium yellow squash, diced large

1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen

2 cups cooked tubettini or ditalini, or other soup pasta (optional)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese

Croutons

X

Instructions

The first step is for your child to scrub and wash the stone thoroughly. Then, for an extra cleaning, she can drop it in a pot of water to boil while you prepare the rest of the soup together.



In another large pot, melt the butter or heat the oil, then sauté the onion on medium-high for 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in the celery, carrot, potatoes and red pepper, sautéing for 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, then add in the broth. Using a spoon, fish the stone out of the other pot, add it to the soup and bring to a boil. Add the zucchini, squash, corn and pasta, cooking another 8 minutes or until the zucchini is the desired softness. Season to taste with the salt and pepper. Before serving, sprinkle on the cheese and croutons, then ladle--minus the stone--into individual bowls. Serves 6 to 8.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut about 1/2 inch off the top of the loaf with a serrated knife. (This will depend on the size of the loaf) •Remove bread on the inside, making it hollow. Leave about 1 1/2 inches thick on the inside. Using your basting brush, brush olive oil on the inside of the bread bowl. This creates a seal, ensuring whatever you put in the bread bowl will not leak out. Bake bread bowl on a baking sheet for 15 minutes, until golden on the inside. Remove from oven, fill with desired soup or stew and serve!

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