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!

http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/

shared on

Diabetic Awareness Day Recipe : Angel Lush Cake

Were you aware that March 22 is Diabetic Awareness Day? Well it is. I am a diabetic and my hubby is as well. It seems in fact that I know many that are diabetics. I decided that I would share a delicious recipe with you that in the right portion size allows everyone to enjoy a delicious bite.

1 can (20 oz.) DOLE Crushed Pineapple, in juice, undrained


1 pkg. (1.5 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP LITE or COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping

1 pkg. (10 oz.) round angel food cake, cut horizontally into 3 layers

10 fresh strawberries

MIX pineapple and dry pudding mix in medium bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP.
STACK cake layers on plate, filling layers and topping with pudding mixture. REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Top with berries just before serving.

recipe source: Kraft Recipes

shared at


find other great diabetic items

Sloppy Joes

2 slices high-quality white sandwich bread, torn into quarters


1/4 cup whole milk

2 pounds 85 percent lean ground beef

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 onions, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 cup ketchup

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

8 hamburger buns

Mash bread and milk into paste in large bowl using fork. Mix in ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper using hands. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions, garlic, and chili powder and cook until onions are softened and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
Stir in beef mixture, one pound at a time, and cook, breaking up any large pieces with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes per pound. Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce, scraping up any browned bits; transfer to slow cooker. Stir remaining tomato sauce, ketchup, sugar, and hot sauce into slow cooker. Cover and cook until beef is tender, 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 5 hours on high. Let meat mixture settle for 5 minutes, then remove fat from surface using large spoon. Break up any remaining large pieces of beef with spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon mixture onto buns and serve.

Source: http://www.grandparents.com/gp/content/food/recipes/article/recipe-sloppy-joes-americas-test-kitchen.html#ixzz1HMeQBsx1

Caramel Pork

1 cup water


3/4 cup uncooked sushi or short-grain rice

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Cooking spray

1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon bottled ground fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 canned anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced

8 lime wedges

Combine 1 cup water, rice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes; remove from heat. Let stand 10 minutes; gently stir in peas and vinegar.
Heat a medium skillet over high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork; sauté 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add onion and garlic; stir-fry 2 minutes. Stir in broth and next 5 ingredients (through anchovy); bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until slightly thick. Spoon 1/2 cup rice on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1/2 cup pork mixture. Serve with lime wedges.



recipe source: my recipes

Strawberry and Shortcakes Makes This Delicious Dessert

This looks delicious to me if you agree you can find the recipe and tips to make it here

A Cutie Pie

Ain't he a doll. I think so. His mommy was a young girl that grew up in our church and I often led her group to watch her grow up and lead her own group and become a mommy. Oh the Lord is so sweet

We Live In A Beautiful Area

We truly do live in a beautiful area. Sometimes I think of it as God's coloring book with all the glorious colors. This picture was taken last summer but imagine this same place in the spring with all the trees in bloom or in the fall where the colors really come into play. I feel so lucky to live where we do.

 also shared here

Stork Brokers

This is a place where you can earn money for the items your child no longer needs as well as find items that you may need now check it out

Hello There

1. What jewelry do you wear 24/7?


2. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?

3. How many siblings do you have?

4. Were you named after anyone?

5. Coke or Pepsi?
 
1. none my wedding band wore out years ago and i do not have any jewelry that is wore constantly
 
2. twirl and cut I think I will check next time I eat it
 
3. 2 sisters and 2 brothers
 
4. my mom i have the same middle name as her
 
5. either but it must be diet

Welcome TO My Blog

Thanks for all of you have visited my blog and read a post or two. Welcome to those of you who are new to my blog. May you also find a worthwhile post to read. I ask of all of you who visit and like the post you read to drop a little line letting me know Thanks and enjoy your visit

Theme at Funky Junk Interiors is Kitchen Cabinets
SwaddleDesigns baby blanket giveaway ends 3/24
Bummas Baby Wipes giveaway now over but save on free shipping through Tuesday
No Slippy Hair Clippy giveaway ends 4/2
Beautiful Spring Saturday Snapshots
Pig Cake
Corn Tortilla Lasagna
Brighten Home for Spring with Flowers
Kids n Pets cleaner review
Bella Sara review

Cool Creamy Chocolate Dessert

Crust:


1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 1/2 ounces)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

6 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted

Cooking spray

Filling:

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup (4 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (4 ounces) fat-free cream cheese, softened

1 (8-ounce) carton frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed and divided

3 cups 1% low-fat milk

2 (3.9-ounce) packages chocolate instant pudding mix

Unsweetened cocoa (optional)

Preheat oven to 325°. To prepare crust, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor; pulse 2 times or until combined. Add butter; pulse 10 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in pecans. Firmly press mixture into bottom of a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Cool completely. To prepare filling, place 1 cup sugar and cream cheeses in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Fold in half of whipped topping. Spread cream cheese mixture on cooled crust. Cover loosely; refrigerate 1 hour. Combine milk and pudding mix in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until pudding is set. Spread the pudding mixture over cream cheese layer. Spread remaining half of thawed whipped topping over pudding layer. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cocoa, if desired. Cut into 15 pieces.


recipe source: here

shared on
also shared at Monday Mingle and Its A Blog Party and My Meatless Mondays

Strawberry Pie

Crust:

1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

Cooking spray

Filling:

2 cups sliced strawberries

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons water

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

6 cups small strawberries

Topping:

3 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon chopped hazelnuts or almonds

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons butter, melted

1/2 cup frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.



Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl, tossing with a fork until moist. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes; cool on a wire rack.



To prepare the filling, combine strawberry slices and vinegar in a medium nonstick skillet. Place the berry mixture over medium-high heat; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar. Combine the water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add to pan, and bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in juice. Cool completely. Arrange whole strawberries, stem sides down, in crust. Pour cooled strawberry mixture over whole strawberries. Cover loosely, and chill 4 hours.



To prepare the topping, combine 3 tablespoons cracker crumbs, nuts, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons melted butter in a small bowl. Place crumb mixture in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes or until golden brown; cool. Sprinkle crumb mixture over pie. Top each serving with whipped topping.

Peanut Butter Muffin

PEANUT BUTTER MUFFINS




2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional)

1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups fresh milk -or- water -or- milk substitute

4 tablespoon molasses -or- raw honey



Pre-heat oven to 350°F

Stir flour, baking powder and salt together. Cut in peanut butter and oil with fork or pastry blender until the mixture is like small grains. Add the milk and molasses; stir just until well mixed, but do not beat. Fill greased muffin tins or muffin cups 2/3 full.



Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 350°F.

Winner Alert

Winners:
The Rock N Learn Educational DVD winner has been selected and is
Kristie said...

My daughter is starting to get to the age where she'll need to learn this.

the sponsor of this giveaway has asked me to sponsor more of these great educational DVDs so be watching for these to be upcoming

The Winner of the Bummas Baby Wipes is
Andrea said...
Tweet! http://twitter.com/ampaetka/status/47483189295460352

The Winner of the Kids N Pets giveaway is
amied027 said...

GFC follower amied027 and I like the KIDS 'N' PETS INSTANT ALL PURPOSE STAIN & ODOR REMOVER-SPRAY BOTTLE. Thanks!


There are many great giveaways currently going on and more to come

I signed up for MommyParties via MomSelect some time ago and I must say I have been having a great time hosting parties and sharing new ideas and products with my friend and family. Recently I was able to host a pary that helped to celebrate the goodness of Nutella.  I must say that many of the families that we had over were very suprised of the delicious taste of Nutella. Most everyone was suprised of the chocalate taste that it had and that it was so smooth and good. I sent out invitations using online resources and asked them to share with me a few different breakfast ideas as well as their favorite peanut butter recipe. I was very suprised to see some of the great breakfast combinations that they sent back. I used the recipes to create a smorgasboard of goodies and created a few of their favorite peanut butter recipes using Nutella instead. My guest were even more suprised when they saw the spread of goodies and free stuff that I was able to offer them thanks to MommyParties and Nutella

Some of the delicious recipes that I shared in the spread I prepared were:

No Bake Cookies
2 cups sugar


1/4 cup margarine

1/2 cup milk

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups rolled oats (old fashioned)

In lg saucepan, mix sugar, margarine, and milk; bring to a full, rolling boil over med heat. (full, rolling boil = large bubbles rising to surface that can't be stirred down). Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until peanut butter is melted; stir in oats. Working quickly, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper covered newspaper.

These were delicious the Nutella made the chocolate taste pop even more and still the sweet taste was present as well

Peanut Butter French Toast

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter


Sixteen 1/2-inch-thick slices brioche

4 large eggs, beaten

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

4 cups cornflakes, finely crushed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

4 cups mixed berries

Maple syrup, for serving

Preheat the oven to 250°. Line a large baking sheet with wax paper. Spread 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter on each of 8 slices of brioche and cover with the remaining 8 slices, making sandwiches. In a pie plate, beat the eggs with the cream and vanilla. In another pie plate, spread the crushed cornflakes. Lightly soak the sandwiches in the egg mixture, then dredge in the cornflakes, pressing to help them adhere. Transfer the sandwiches to the baking sheet. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a very large skillet. Add 4 of the sandwiches and cook over moderate heat until golden and crisp on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the half-cooked sandwiches to the baking sheet. Add another tablespoon of the butter to the skillet, flip the sandwiches back into the skillet and cook until golden and crisp on the bottom, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer to the baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Wipe out the skillet and cook the remaining sandwiches. Transfer the French toast to plates and dust with confectioners' sugar. Top with the berries and drizzle with maple syrup.

This recipe was a hit the Nutella tasted delicious in it. I have to recomend that you try this recipe at home some time as it was a great tasting hit at our get together.
If you would like to learn more about Nutella and all they have to offer, you can visit their website. You can find Nutella at retail stores nationwide. You can also follow them on face book to keep up with the latest promotions. If you  want a way to spice up your breakfast, Nutella is definitely the way to go.
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Chicken Fajitas

-2 Green Bell Peppers cut into long strips


-2 Red Bell Peppers cut into long strips

-1 lb. chicken breast cut into long strips

-4 Yellow onions, peeled and chopped into strips

-1 small bunch fresh Cilantro leaves

-1 tbsp. minced garlic (fresh)

-1 tsp. celery salt

-1 tsp cumin powder

-2 tbsp. lime juice

-1 tsp. lemon juice

-1 tsp. red paprika

-1/4 tsp. crushed red paper flakes

-1 package of soft large tortillas

-Mexican cheese blend, shredded

-Suggested condiments: salsa, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole


HEAT oil in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 min. or until done, stirring occasionally. Stir in veggies and seasonings. Cook 5 minutes or til veggies are crisp tender, stirring occasionally Top with cheese and remaining ingredients

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this would be awesome to have for a recipe like this