Giveaways Entered 7/18 and 7/19

Great chance to add a bit of money ($75) to your vacation fund. I know that it would help a bit with anything from water park to a favorite restaurant. However you would spend the money you can win it by entering the giveaway on the blog What U Talking About Willis giveaway ends 7/31

One lucky winner will have the chance to win all the above. Yes one lucky winner will be taking home a great prize from one step ahead. The giveaway where you enter is located at Celebrity Baby Trends and ends July 26th

Me and hubby both were kids of the 70s and teens in the 80s we know a bit about both KISS and Scooby. It would be so cool to watch this with the grand-kids and have so much fun. I have entered to win this dvd on the blog Mom and More. Giveaway ends July 27th

Giveaways entered 7/17

                                                        Pink Ninja

This would be a great  fun time adventure. If all the summer time fun is going on and not time for family often we need to find a break and get it done. Rainy days, hot days , or simply whenever take a family movie night. Enter to win this awesome 4 pack of dvds at Mom and More, giveaway ends 7/31

Summer is meant to be fun. I know we have lots of fun in the warm weather. This capri sun pack that is being offered as a prize in a giveaway hosted by Mom and More would make summer just a bit more fun. Giveaway ends July 27

                                               everything mommyhood

                                               everything mommyhood

princess is always wanting to do a craft but nana does not always have a craft to do. These kits would be a valuable resource for me as they are prepared and ready to go for lots of fun. You can enter to win these sets at Mom and More giveaway ends 7/29

I can remember the pound puppies when my brother adored them . There is a movie about pound puppies that I am sure my grand-kids would love. You and I both have a chance to win it at the blog Mom and More giveaway ends July 27

While I don't recommend for the younger generation I do say that a pre-teen on up would love this ping pong gun. I am sure fun is to be had. Would you like to enter the giveaway as well? Its held at kerrific online and ends 7/21

                                                       mamas baby cupcakes ends july 20

Are you a girly girl or know someone who is? Well then you will want to enter this giveaway. While I rarely wear makeup they do have a choice of hair care product as well. What would you choose? To have your chance head over to love and lipgloss giveaway ends 7/29

lighten up with a tuna salad

 Its summer time and we are all trying to eat a bit better. This tuna recipe is a healthier version and you can make it up in minutes. The ingredients are all common ones that you may all ready have in your kitchen. This tuna will pack well in lunches or on the go meals. It is gluten free, high protein, low carb, and low cal. Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

1 can of white albacore tuna, (water packed) drained well

½ cup chopped apples, unpeeled (I would suggest Granny Smith)

⅓ cup celery, chopped

¼ cup diced red onions

3 tablespoons dried sweetened cranberries

3 tablespoons light mayonnaise

1 tablespoon dill

1 tablespoon lemon juice

 

mix all serve with toast or crackers

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creativity unleashed

Peaceful Late Afternnoon Ride

These are a few of the scenes that we saw this afternoon as we took a ride. The peace and quite is always something that we look forward to.

 

 

 

 

 

Safety Tat Anywhere Lables : Protect Your Stuff review

 

 

I can remember my husbands grandmother, who seemed to feed the neighborhood and the men always knew where to get there coffee in between their truck routes, always complaining about her dishes being gone. She would say " they go out but they never come back" . I can also remember on more than one occasion where her kitchen cupboards where the dishes were to be were nearly empty. To buy the plastic throw away dishes was against the way she did things. She cooked delicious and hearty meals and she wanted to serve them in her real dishes as well.

I think that if granny had known about the anywhere labels from safety tat that she would have been pleased. Just like safety tat keeps our children safe if they get lost anywhere labels are there to keep our belongings safe. In the same simple way of a emergency phone number on the tattoo is now found on the label that we can place on anything that we need to. With our children heading out to anywhere and every where it is the perfect item to have on hand. Whether they are going to a friends house, camp or even better don't forget about back to school these great anywhere labels will let everyone know who is the rightful owner of the item. Toys, clothing, school supplies, bags, backpacks, containers, water bottles, electronics, sport gear and so many more items will now be able to find their home again.  I love the thought of dishes that often did not make it back home from work arriving safely back into our kitchen. With the name and phone number attached to the item there is no disputing where the item belongs.

 

 

 

So you may be thinking that you have used other labels and they may be great for one use or so but then they come off and can not be used again. Anywhere labels are dishwasher and washing machine safe and will last. Simply apply to any clean, dry solid surface to the item and you are ready to go. Wondering about non solid surfaces anytime labels has this figured out to with their care tags.

 

The tags can be customized in your choice of color. The tags are personalized and clearly marked. Perfect to attach to totes, cases, bags and so many other items. Durable stainless steel tags that attach to a metal chain that is included with the tag. Add your name, an optional phone number and a second line of information if you wish.

 

We were sent the camp combo to review and we simply love both. I have used the labels to attach to dishes that I take to school as well as toys that we take to the beach and parks. Both have worked well and in the case that we lose something we take time to look for it but in the case of a dispute of whether something belongs to us or not I love the fact that the label is there to help show ownership as well. In the future I plan to use the metal tags on her sport bag for soccer as well as her school backpack.

 

Where would you use a tag or label? What material item is important to you that you would love to personalize so that you would have it returned in the case that you lost it? Be alert that there may be an upcoming giveaway in the future.

 

national Dork Day

Today is your chance to have a little fun and be a dork. Whether you dress up in miss-matched clothes or fix tonight's supper with a bit of food coloring included in the potatoes it is a great time to have fun. Share stories with your friends on the most embarrassing time you have had in your life or maybe tell your children of stories where something odd or different happened to you. Whatever you choose to do have a bit of fun to day on National Dork Day

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dishing it and digging it 
really crafty party 

Peach Dumplings

It's the start of peach season here in Southern Illinois so the kitchen will be filled with many delicious peach recipes and we will also be enjoying peaches simply eaten in the raw. Either way they are both so delicious. When our children were younger we were blessed to live in a house where we had a peach tree and 2 cherry trees in the yard. We would always enjoy the bounty we would get off these trees. The delicious goodies and oh my wonderful freshness of the fruit we simply fell in love with. That is why each season we head to the orchards to see what we can get so we can enjoy that same goodness of yester year. I share with you today a delicious recipe of peach dumplings. I hope you enjoy Peach Dumplings

Pastry for 9" two-crust pie 4 3" to 3-1/2" peaches (Peel, halve and remove seed) Filling: 1/3 to 1/2 Cup sugar, depending on the sweetness of peaches 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) 1 Tablespoon butter Syrup: 2/3 to 3/4 Cup sugar 1-1/2 Cup water 2 Tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Divide pastry into 4 parts and roll out into 7" squares. Boil syrup for 3 minutes. Place peach on each square of pastry. Fill with filling mixture and dot with butter.                   Bring opposite corners of pastry up over peaches, overlap, moisten and seal. Lift carefully and place evenly spaced in a 9x9 baking dish. Pour hot syrup around dumplings. Bake immediately for 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is nicely browned and peaches are tender when pierced with fork or toothpick. Serve warm with the syrup and cream recipe source from one of our local orchards shared at Thursdays favorite things creativity unleashed

child dental Care Tips To Make Those Smiles Great

With school beginning my mind turns to school physicals, eye exams, and dental visits. We take our children 2 times a year unless there is more work needed which thus far we have been very lucky. However, there are many children that do have major dental issues. As a child I had bad teeth and my parents had to take me to special dentist. I am to this day scared of dentist and try to take the best care of my children's teeth so they do not have to follow my foot steps through dental issues. There are a few things that you can do to try to ensure your childs teeth stay strong and healthy.

Start with your children are young and in the crib. It may seem hard to do but never allow children to have their bottle in the crib. Sometimes, when you have to work and the baby is fussy or you are super tired it may seem easier to give the baby their bottle in the crib but this is a very bad idea. As a baby sleeps the production of saliva slows allowing the sugar in milk or juice to pool down around the teeth. Without the production of saliva the protection it offers is not present. It is very important to brush your childs teeth before bed and never allow a bottle in the crib.

Sippy cups become very useful when children are too old for a bottle but not yet big enough for a regular cup. They cut down spilling but can extend the length of exposure to sugar drinks when they cups are refilled over and over with sugar based drinks. This may result in more tooth decay so instead of juice or milk fill the sippy cup with water.

Teeth should be brushed 2-3 times a day. This helps to rid the teeth of the starchy and sweet foods that accumulate on them. Flossing is important as well and should be done daily. One time a day our children should rinse with fluoride mouth wash as well. Every six months our children should have a check up and teeth cleaning as well.

Giveaways entered July 15

I am sure most of us have seen the popular Taste of Home magazine. In it you will find some awesome tips and recipes. I was lucky enough for a few years to be able to attend a cooking school class hosted by Taste of Home with my mother. We had a great time and I would love to go again. If I am lucky enough to win the giveaway on the blog Mama Smiths then I will be able to do just that. Giveaway ends Aug 10th

547ac73d833b4fb53b78a50036f5ee655bd7df60f822435019

A bit of french cooking for bastille day

Today is Bastille Day, a French holiday that comerates the storming of the bastille which took place July 14, 1789. So today I thought it would be fun to share with you some French facts and a delicious French recipe

Did you know that people in France often have small refrigerators and kitchens and shop the market nearly every day to buy food that they need.

The French are known for their delicious pastries, desserts and cheeses. Most individuals do not over eat and believe in enjoying each bite.

En papillote form of cooking is shown above.  It involves cooking where the fish, meat or vegetables are wrapped in parchment paper and baked in the oven.

Perhaps you have eaten potato au gratin if so then you have partake in a French way of cooking. Gratin form of cooking takes a thinly sliced vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, onions, cauliflower or other vegetable and cook it with cheese and cream and is very yummy.

Crepes are like thin French pancakes. Very simple to make and you can fill with almost anything. Perhaps for dinner you may try chicken, mushrooms, or broccoli with a sauce. For breakfast or dessert fill the crepe with nutella, whip cram, fruit or jam.

1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups milk
3 tablespoons melted butter

Procedure for Cooking Crepes
Put all the ingredients in a blender and whip on high. Let the crepe batter sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. Spray a small non-stick pan with non-stick spray. Pour 1/3 cup of the batter in the pan. Cook for two to three minutes. Gently turn over the crepe with a spatula. Cook for a minute more. Remove the crepe from the pan and fill it with your favorite filling. Or, you can wrap the crepes in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to three days.

While many believe that French cooking is very elaborate with lots of steps and is very hard to make there are recipes like crepes that are easier and delicious as well. Whatever you choose to cook remember to use good ingredients and always follow the direction steps correctly

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Garden Recipe : Pasta and Zucchini

With the garden becoming abundant in vegetable goodness I thought it would be a great time to share a wonderful recipe for supper that supports fresh vegetables. Zucchini is one of those garden vegetables that multiply and sometimes we get a bit too much and look for new recipes to try well here is one that you may love.

 
6 medium zucchini
Vegetable oil (for frying the zucchini)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
Garlic salt
3 TBSP Dried Basil Leaves
¾ cup Olive Oil
1 lb. pkg. spaghetti (I use Barilla Pasta)

Wash the zucchini. On a cutting board, cut off both ends of the zucchini and slice 

In a large skillet fry the zucchini and set the temperature to 350 F. (You could also fry these in a large frying pan.) Pour vegetable oil in the skillet, enough just to cover the entire bottom of the pan. Fry the zucchini until tender, turning them half way through cooking. Place the cooked zucchini in a large bowl. (It will take several batches to fry all 6 zucchini.) 

Once all the zucchini is cooked and in the large bowl, add the 3 cloves of minced garlic, the basil leaves, and the olive oil. Sprinkle generously with garlic salt and mix. Leave zucchini mixture on counter while pasta is cooking.
Cook the spaghetti as directed on the package – cook “Al Dente”. Just before the pasta is fully cooked, remove 1 ¼ cup of the cooking liquid and add it to the zucchini mixture.
Drain the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the zucchini mixture and mix thoroughly.
Serve the pasta and Enjoy!
I like to top my pasta with grated cheese. Fresh basil is also a nice additional topping.

Easy Meatless Monday Potatoes and Eggs

Its hot!!! Not for sure if it is where you are or not but it is here. I don't want to have to come home from work and go to work in the kitchen. We are still back a little and have no central air in this old house. Our room has an a/c and that is where I spend most of the time in but when I have to fix supper I want it to be as easy as I can get it so I can get out of the hot kitchen So here it is I hope you Enjoy

Olive Oil
Potatoes O’Brien (Ore Ida brand)
Eggs, scrambled
Basically you just follow the instructions for cooking the Potatoes, as listed on the package. You heat the olive oil in a skillet and cook as designated by the chart on the package.
While that is cooking, scramble the desired amount of eggs in a bowl.
When the potatoes are just about cooked, add the eggs and cook.
Serve and enjoy! (I told you this was simple.)

Potato Chip cookies

One of the top items found at back yard picnics, barb-q's or reunions is potato chips. Potato chips is  one of the top ingredients in this delicious cookie recipe. I have made them a few times before and oh they are so yummy. Remember my mother has always made potato candy and if you are growing a crop of potatoes you may want to check out that recipe as well. enjoy!!!! 


1 pound of butter, softened  (Yes, a whole pound.)
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 ¾ cups flour
1 cup crushed Jay’s Potato Chips
Powdered Sugar
 
Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Add the flour and mix.
Mix in the crushed potato chips.  (Note:  To crush the potato chips, I just put them in a plastic sandwich bag and crush them with my hand.)
Form the dough into medium/small balls and place on cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 F for 12 – 15 minutes.
Roll in powdered sugar when cooled.

Giveaways entered 7/12

The first giveaway today takes me back a bit. I was in high school when I first started volunteering for the children miracle network. Not to far away from here is a great hospital that helps children with cancer. In addition I had a brother who was born but did not live long he passed away because of birt defects so I try to volunteer and give whenever possible to the charities that help children. The blog Mama Smith is bringing attention to a great cause and hosting a giveaway where someone will win a $25 walmart gift card giveaway ends July 15th

you can also find a $25 gift card giveaway at 3 princes and a Prince giveaway ends July 15th

Go Phone Giveaway happy healthy hip (over)

General Mills is a household name that has been around for many years. They are the sponsor in the giveaway on the blog A Busy Mom of Two where they are offering a gift pack as prize. The gift pack includes Prize pack includes a box of a participating General Mills cereal, a box of a participating Betty Crocker fruit flavored snack, an exclusive Minions Buddy and a $25 Fandango gift card Giveaway ends July 19th

Snoopy was a character that I grew up with but he was around before I was. My mom loved his cartoons and always watched the specials. Now my grand-babies love snoopy and this would make a great gift for them if I was lucky enough to win a dancing snoopy. You can enter this giveaway at Game On Mom giveaway ends July 23rd

This giveaway from happy mama tales offers a needed prize for me. I am a nurse aide and often do not have time to take awesome breaks so I eat and drink on the go. This mug would make having a drink so much easier. Giveaway ends July 30th

We love family night at Ryans. We can eat for a bit cheaper than we normally do and have lots of fun as well. It would be nice to win the giveaway over at Mom to Grandma where a family 4 pack for supper at Ryans is being offered in a giveaway that ends 8/10

southern mom loves

Chocolate Expresso Cupcakes

 1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour                                        
1/2 cup unsweetened baking cocoa                                    
1/2  teaspoon baking soda                        
1/4 teaspoon salt       
2 egg whites  
1 whole egg                 
1  cup sugar                    
1/4  cup canola or vegetable oil                    
1/2  cup light chocolate soymilk                       
2  teaspoons instant espresso coffee granules      
1 1/2  teaspoons vanilla                 

 

Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray, or line with paper baking cups. In medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In another medium bowl, beat egg whites, whole egg, sugar and oil with electric mixer on medium-high speed 1 to 2 minutes or until well mixed. Alternately add flour mixture and soymilk, beating on low speed after each addition, until well blended. Add coffee granules and vanilla; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about 3 tablespoons each). Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.  Just before serving, sift powdered sugar over tops of cupcakes

recipe source here

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