Home Town Boy Does Good

This music is by a young man that grew up with my children and spent many days where I worked at I am so happy that he is doing what he loved. Making music. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did

Christmas Train

When my children were young we would wait for that special day where the Santa Clause train would visit our home town. Oh this was a special day for everyone as all would meet at the depot in the cold to await for the special man who would make his arrival on the train. The train was decked out and looked great. each boy and girl would get a special gift This tradition has been around for many years and all though we no longer live in the area where the train comes to meet boys and girls we always think at this time of year about that special train

Long Winter Night

December 21st the night of the Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year.  

 

 

 

 

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

  by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep. 

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20519#sthash.1yibabzo.dpuf

Busy Day Crockpot Meal

 

If you find yourself busy during the holidays and there seems no time to cook a great meal then you may want to try this easy to prepare and fix meal. It simply cooks in the crockpot and takes up little time. Perfect for that busy day.

 

Great for Busy Days : Crockpot Meal

Love this recipe that I just located. It is perfect for those nights where one is busy during the daytime and wants to enjoy a great meal before heading out for some fun in the evening

So Yummy!!!

  

Complete Steak Dinner in CrockPot

Use a thick 3/4 inch steak
Pour a 1/2 cup A1 or Heinz 57 sauce over meat
cover with a layer of foil
add foil wrapped potatoes
... and foil wrapped frozen corn cobs
cook on low for 6 hours
Full steak dinner any night of the week! This can also be done with thick pork chops or chicken breasts and BBQ sauce. The whole meal cooks in the slow cooker.

shared at
funky junk interiors
super Saturday
Be Different Act Normal
 

GIfts From The Kitchen -

When I was a kid my mother did not have a lot of money but she always wanted to give those she fondly of something for Christmas. So she often used her talent in the kitchen to give all she knew included friends, family, those who served and taught us something sweet to eat. This recipe is a new one to me but I just wonder .... just wonder if it would not have wound up on the list to make for those she knew and loved.

1 1/4   cups cups Whole grain pastry flour, divided
1   tsp. Brown sugar
1/2   cup Chopped walnuts, divided
1/2   tsp. Baking soda
1   tsp. Baking powder
3/4   cup Sugar
1/2   cup Dried cranberries and/or apricots, chopped
1   Egg
2   ripe Chiquita Bananas, peeled
1/4   cup Greek non-fat plain yogurt
1/2   cup Applesauce     

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick baking spray or line with nonstick foil; set aside. Place 1 tsp. of the flour in a small bowl and stir in brown sugar; stir in 2 Tbsp. of the walnuts and reserve for topping. In a large bowl combine remaining flour, remaining walnuts, baking powder, baking soda and sugar; set aside. Beat the egg in a medium bowl. Peel the bananas and gently mash into the egg. Stir in the yogurt and applesauce, then fold in the dried fruit. Pour the fruit mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Place the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with the reserved topping. Bake in the center of the oven for about 40 to 45 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf will come out clean when done. Remove from oven and cool before slicing. To store wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap.

 

recipe source here

Adult Treats : Boozy Chocolates

Holidays are made better with children in my opinion. There is always a need of adult time as well. These little bites will offer you the treat that you are looking for during adult time.

 

 

Parchment paper

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
2 (14-oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk
2 (12-oz.) packages semisweet chocolate morsels
1/4 cup dark rum
2 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon table salt
Wax paper

Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper; grease paper. Bring sugar, water, and lemon juice to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Boil 8 to 10 minutes or until sugar begins to brown. (Do not stir.) Stir in cream and 2 Tbsp. butter; remove from heat. Let stand, stirring constantly, until no longer bubbling. Microwave sweetened condensed milk and semisweet chocolate morsels in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 3 minutes, stirring at 1-minute intervals. Stir in rum, 2 1/2 Tbsp. butter, and salt. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Immediately pour caramel over chocolate mixture; gently swirl with a knife. Chill 2 to 4 hours. Cut into pieces; wrap in wax paper. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.

recipe source here

Hamburger Pie

Hamburger Pie Casserole

 

 

One of the earliest recipes I shared on my blog several years ago is one of my families favorites. This casserole is so easy and tasty to make.

Hamburger Pie Casserole
1 lb hamburger or sausage
1 can corn
2 c cheese
2 c instant potatoes

Brown hamburger Drain and then layer in order given Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes It is so good

shared at
Be Inspired This Christmas
Frugal Friday
Romantic Home
Home Sweet Home

 

Caramel Pretzel Blondies

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 cup pretzels, chopped (20 small pretzel twists)
1/4 cup jarred dulce de leche

 Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on at least 2 sides. Mist with cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in brown sugar until no lumps remain. Whisk in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until just incorporated. Stir in peanuts and pretzels. Pour batter into baking pan and smooth with a spatula. Drop spoonfuls of dulce de leche on top; swirl decoratively with a knife. Bake blondies until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into a solid part comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool fully in pan on a wire rack.  Grasping overhanging foil on either side of pan, lift out blondies and place on a cutting board. Carefully peel off foil before cutting into 16 squares. Serve.

 

shared at

 

Recently I shared a recipe that our family loves. Pickle rolls are often served at parties that we host They are always a big hit. You can find the recipe on our blog. If you want an easier recipe with all the same great taste then you may want to check out this recipe for Pickle roll dip
16 oz cream cheese, softened 12 oz deli sliced ham, chopped 16 oz baby dill pickles, drained and diced ritz crackers

In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, chopped ham, and diced pickles; mix well. Place mixture in the refrigerator for 1 hour, before serving. Serve

shared at Feathered Nest Friday
Jennifer Rizzo
weekend linky party

Grandpa Waltons Christmas Wish

I loved the Waltons as I was growing up. I have a sister named after two of the characters Erin Elizabeth. You see my mother loved the show as well. As I listen to Grandpas Christmas wish I begin to think of all the past Christmas memories of those I spent with my own parents and grandparents as well as those that I spend with my children and grandchildren. I look forward to those that are still to come and know that even though the members of the family may change the memories will always be there. I hope you listen to his wish and do some thinking of your own.

Buckeye Bark Recipe

Do you love those little balls of peanut butter and chocolate they call buckeyes? Well me to. The only problem is trying to find enough time to get it all done. The presents wrapped, the tree and house decorated, and all the goodies baked. That's why when I see an opportunity to save some time I take it. With this Buckeye bark the same chocolate peanut butter taste is present with out all the time it takes to roll up all those little balls

 

 

Buckeye bark recipe

Yields 9 x 13-inch pan

 

1 stick unsalted butter
1 pound creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 pounds semisweet morsels or chocolate candy coating

Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside until ready to use. Melt butter and add to a bowl of an electric stand mixer. Add in peanut butter and mix to combine. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar until everything is combined and you get a thick peanut butter mixture. It will remind you of really soft fudge and should hold together if rolled into a ball. Melt 1-1/2 pounds of chocolate and spread into the bottom of the parchment-lined pan. Let cool and harden and then press peanut butter butter mixture evenly on top of the chocolate. Melt remaining chocolate, spread onto peanut butter, let harden, then cut into squares and enjoy!

recipe source here

Breakfast Ideas

 

With the winter weather here and the holiday breaks many of us will be preparing more breakfast than we normally do. We all want to please our families but there may be times that we just want something different. For those times here are a few tasty recipes.

 

 

 

Denver Style Breakfast Burritos

 

8 eggs

1 tub (10 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Original Cooking Creme, divided

1/2 cupeach chopped green peppers and onions

1 cup chopped OSCAR MAYER CARVING BOARD Slow Cooked Ham

8 flour tortillas (6 inch), warmed

WHISK eggs and 1/2 cup cooking creme until well blended; set aside.
COOK and stir vegetables and ham in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat 2 to 3 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add egg mixture; cook 3 min. or until set, stirring occasionally.
SPREAD tortillas with remaining cooking creme; top with egg mixture. Fold in opposite sides of each tortilla, then roll up, burrito-style

 

recipe source Kraft

 

 

Spread a banana with peanut butter, slice into bite size pieces, roll in rice krispie cereal (cocoa krispies would be great too!)

 

recipe source Mommy Im Hungry

shared at
Whatd You Do This Weekend
Made By You Monday
Making Monday
 

 

2 Red Hens and Tortle Giveaway ------ Giveaway Over Winner Selected

I have a few friends that are expecting little blessings to be born soon. To me life is made even more when you have a little one in the picture.  As I have been looking for the perfect new baby gifts I have fallen in love with products that are perfect for the baby and mama to. Take for example diaper bags and the room and organization that they give mama for all the baby needs. One great place to find diaperbags such as these is 2 Red Hens.

 

 

 

The Mama Hen behind 2 Red Hens Studio is Lori Holliday. Lori has a style that combines modern day renaissance gal with a knack of fashion and the love of domesticity. As a young girl Lori grew up with the love of a huge family on a large farm in rural Arizona. Her days were filled with playing school,  drawing pictures making sure to use all the colors and organizing the house. She learened at an early age how to organize, make needs list and make do with what you have. She incorporates these ideas using her design with 2 Red Hens to offer beauty to mom and baby alike. Designing products that are not only pretty but functional and make life a bit easier. Moms have so much to focus on if the bag she carries can help make life a bit easier how wonderful is that.

 

 

The bags are designed to look fashionable and the inside is even nicer

 

 

Zipper pocket, bottle holder & 2 elastic pockets

Removable stroller straps- Easy to hook on any stroller handle

Attached key fob

 Magnetic snap & button for extra security

Water-resistant backing - Easy to wipe clean

PLUS- Extra-long polka-dot changing pad (26” x 12.5”) included

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another awesome product that I shared in the prior post is the Tortle. After having a child with flat head syndrome I so appreciate the advantage that the Tortle offers new parents. To celebrate the fact that the Tortle is now available at Target.com we have been allowed the chance to offer our readers a giveaway where a lucky winner will receive a Tortle beanie and a diaper bag from 2 Red Hens.

 

Giveaway: 2 Red Hens diaper bag and Tortle

 

Giveaway ends : December 30, 2013

 

To enter giveaway visit 2 Red Hens and let us know something else that gains your attention

 

Extra Entries:

follow me on twitter @shopannies

follow @TortlebyDrJane on twitter

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  Tweet : @TortlesbyDrJane Helping Prevent Flat Head Syndrome & @2redhenstudio Diaper Bag #Giveaway from @shopannies http://t.co/APGb5Ugwg9 leave link in comment (may do 2 times daily)

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like my fanpage on facebook

 like 2 Red Hens Studio on facebook

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Good Luck remember to include your email in comment so that I can contact you if you are the lucky winner

Tortle Review

Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly) is a condition that occurs when infants spend long periods of time laying on the back of their heads or in a favored position and a flat spot develops. Infants can spend up to 16 hours laying on their backs when traveling in car seats, in swings, in bouncers and strollers. Some babies may be born with Plagiocephaly because of restricted in utero positioning, during the birth process or from extended stays in a neonatal intensive care unit. In 1994, the American Academy of Pediatrics began the “Back to Sleep” program to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) an unexpected result of this program is the epidemic rise in Flat head Syndrome.


As a young mother I tried the best that I could to do al that I could for my new baby. The one thing that I did not know about but now I am very aware of is flat head syndrome. The doctor diagnosed my baby with flat head syndrome on my oldest daughter. The back of her head then as it is now was flat as if there was no groove at all. Tortle is trying to make all aware of flat head syndrome and do something about it. Tortle Products, LLC, manufacturer of Tortle, the lightweight knit beanie that helps prevent and treat Flathead Syndrome

Tortle will now be available at Target.com .

Target.com will carry three Tortle designs; Blue Elephant, Pink Flowers and Solid White.  The Tortle beanies are available in medium and large sizes at a suggested retail price of $19.99.

 

The Tortle developed by Dr. Jane Scott, a Board Certified Pediatrician and Neonatologist  is recognized as an expert in the areas of Plagiocephaly and Torticollis Dr. Scott has counseled and educated hundreds of parents in her nearly 30 years of a practicing physician. She offers parents ways to prevent and treat the many problems associated with Flathead Syndrome an epidemic affecting the babies across the world.

 

The Tortle beanie is an FDA cleared patented class 1 medical device that promotes proper head and neck movement which is essential for appropriate development. Tortle works by gently deflecting a babys head from side to side when they are sitting or lying on the back of their head. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends regular head repositioning of babies younger than six months.

 

 

“Every baby is at risk of developing Flat Head Syndrome with one out of two babies being diagnosed with the Syndrome,” said Dr. Jane Scott.  “Through Target.com we will have an opportunity to further increase awareness of Flat Head Syndrome and the ease in which it can be prevented or treated.”

 

The incidence of Plagiocephaly and Torticollis (or Flathead syndrome) has increased to epidemic proportions since 1992 with more than a million babies being diagnosed with the condition each year in the U.S. alone.  This is due to their lack of movement and the amount of time infants spend on their back (the safest place for them to be).  If left untreated, there can be long-standing problems.  Treatment is frequently expensive and can be somewhat uncomfortable for a baby.  Plagiocephaly and Torticollis are almost 100% preventable with repositioning and Tortle makes this safe and easy.  It is recommended that all newborns wear a Tortle for the first 6 months of life to support healthy development.

 

Tortle was founded by Dr. Jane Scott in 2012 and is located in Denver Colorado. The stylish knit beanie prevents and treats Flat head Syndrome a condition most prevalent in babies 0 to 6 months of age. Every baby is at risk for developing Flat Head Syndrome with one out of two babies being diagnosed with the syndrome. Tortle is available in a variety of colors and designs and retails around $19.99  For more information visit www.tortle.com.

 

Snack Idea : Santas Hats (easy recipe)

1 bag of regular or caramel Bugles (typically near the ChexMix at the store)
Red candy melts (the kind you usually use for cake pops)
1 tablespoon shortening
Mini marshmallows (just a handful is enough)
White nonpareil sprinkles

Melt the candy melts and shortening together in 30 second intervals in your microwave until melted. As soon as everything is melted, start dipping the Bugles into the chocolate, letting the excess chocolate drip off. Let them set up until firm on parchment or wax paper. When the Bugles are set, remelt the red chocolate if necessary and dip just the bottom of the Bugles into the white sprinkles. Then flip the Bugle over and dip the top in red chocolate and firmly press a mini marshmallow on top. Let set again on the parchment or wax paper

Gum Drop Christmas

 

 

I have long associated gumdrops with Christmas. My mother had a gumdrop tree that was considered very special. Yes that gumdrop tree held gumdrops that you got when and if you were well behaved. So to celebrate that gumdrop tree I wanted to share a few ideas of how to use gumdrops during the holidays.

 

 

Gum Drop Cookies

 

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
4 eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons water
1 cup assorted miniature, colored gumdrops, chopped
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/4 cup orange juice

Combine brown sugar and egg yolks in a large mixing bowl; beat until well blended. Sift together flour, salt, and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl. Gradually add two-thirds of flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir well after each addition. Add chopped gumdrops and pecans to remaining flour mixture; stir to coat well, and set aside. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) in a small mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter alternately with reserved gumdrop mixture. Spread mixture evenly in a greased 15- x 10- x 1-inch jellyroll pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Set aside to cool in pan. Combine remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl; beat until well blended. Spread evenly over cookies in pan. Allow glaze to set before cutting into 3- x 1-inch bars.

recipe source here

Find out how to make this gumdrop ornament here

Kid Trax Battery Operated RIde On Giveaway

My grandson who will turn 3 real soon would have a ball with this. He would love his nana forever (like he don't all ready) This would be a great gift for me as well watching him have a ball with this great new toy.

Giveaway: Kid Trax Battery Operated Ride On ($250 value)
Blog : MommyPoppins
URL to Giveaway  http://mommypoppins.com/family/ride-on-giveaway

Banana Split Cookies

Are you like me and wish a bit of summer was still here? The ice and snow after a while begins to look less pretty and more and more like a never ending cold spell. As we all know the truth is that the snow and ice will be replaced in a bit with some warm weather but for the next few months (what Princess refers to as "The Long Cold Winter") perhaps you could enjoy one of my favorite flavors of summer in a cookie

1 (15.25 oz) funfetti cake mix
1 box (3.4 oz) instant banana pudding
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, pudding mix, oil and eggs. Stir in the chocolate chips. Gently fold in the cherries.
Form the dough into balls just larger than a walnut and place at least 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until set.