Valentine Craft Kit

Valentines Day is this Monday but Love can be any day of the year. This cute craft kit from Creativity for Kids can help your child realize this. The Shrinky Dink craft kit from Creativity from Kids opens the doors to spend some time of love with your child

Printable coupon for Gorton's Seafood is available. The coupon is good for $1 off any 2 Gorton's Seafood item and is available here

Gortons Seafood Giveaway - 5 winners

Gortons seafood is one thing that I keep on hand for the quick meal that I can feel good about feeding to my children. Busy nights are quite common in our home and I like to make the best of them. Gortons seafood offers a range of products that include flavors such as:

Gortons Seafood also shares many delicious recipes to try with the use of their seafood products. I though the Fish Stick and Cheese Sandwich Melt is a recipe that my kids would love and I was so right

16 Gorton's Classic Breaded Fish Sticks


8 slices bread

8 slices American cheese

4 Tbsp butter or butter spread

Prepare Gorton's Classic Breaded Fish Sticks according to package instructions. Place 4 cooked sticks on a slice of bread followed by two slices of cheese and another slice of bread. Butter each side with 1/2 tbsp butter, brown in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and serve immediately.




Gortons has given me the opportunity to host a giveaway where five (5) winners will be awarded two (2) free coupons to try a new or favorite Gortons seafood product. If you would like to enter the giveaway for your chance to win simply share with me what product you would like to try

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog (2 entries)
• subscribe to my blog via email or feed (2 entries each)
• subscribe to Gortons newsletter (2 entries)
• check out the delicious recipes at Gortons and let me know which one you would like to try (2 entries)
• like Gortons on facebook and write on their wall that you entered the giveaway at my blog and leave the giveaway link (3 entries) leave link in comment
• Follow Gortons on twitter (2 entries)
• follow my blog on twitter (2 entries)
• tweet about the giveaway @shopannies @gortonsseafood (1 entry per tweet unlimited with at least 1 hour between tweets) leave link in comment
• comment on any post on my blog (2 entries unlimited)

Giveaway starts now and ends Feb 25, 2011 Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries will not count

We are thankful for the coupons that we received from Gortons Seafood and used for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions I shared in this post are those of mine alone

Linzer Heart Tart

1 cup blanched (without skin) almonds


1 tube (18 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened, cut in chunks

3⁄4 tsp almond extract

1 jar (12 oz) raspberry preserves

Garnish: confectioners’ sugar

Position racks to divide oven in thirds. Heat oven to 350°F. Have ready a 9-in. heart-shaped or round fluted tart pan with removable bottom, 21⁄2- and 11⁄2-in. heart-shaped cookie cutters and a baking sheet. Pulse almonds in food processor until finely ground. Add cookie dough and extract; pulse just until blended. Pat 11⁄2 cups dough evenly over bottom and up sides of tart pan. Spread preserves over bottom. On a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out remaining dough to 1⁄4 in. thick. Cut out seven 21⁄2-in. hearts and twenty 11⁄2-in. hearts. Arrange all 21⁄2-in. hearts and eight 11⁄2-in. hearts on filling. Put remaining hearts on ungreased baking sheet. Bake tart on lower rack 30 to 35 minutes, cookies on upper rack 7 to 9 minutes, until both are golden. Remove both to a wire rack; cool completely.

To serve: Remove tart pan sides; dust hearts on tart with confectioners’ sugar. Serve cookies with tart.
Planning Tip: The tart can be refrigerated, covered, up to 5 days or wrapped airtight and frozen up to 1 month. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature 5 days or frozen up to 1 month.

recipe source : Womans Day

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

 

Here is a cute and loving friend for Valentines Day I found this adorable love bug over on the blog Embelished Bayou

Ketchup Cake

2 cups Flour


2 teaspoons Baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Baking soda

1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger

1/2 cup Heinz® Tomato Ketchup

1/2 cup Water

1 tablespoon Red food coloring

3/4 cup Butter, softened

1-1/2 cups Packed dark brown sugar

2 Eggs

Frosting Ingredients



6 ounces Brick-style cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup Butter, softened

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

4 cups Confectioner's sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Stir the flour with the baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and ginger into a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine Ketchup, water, and red coloring. Set aside. In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter and then blend in the sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs. Add the flour and Ketchup mixtures and beat on low, scraping down the bowl as needed, until combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 1 minute. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until the center springs back when touched lightly. Cool the cakes for 15 minutes before turning onto a rack to cool completely.

Frosting Preparation
With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla for 2 minutes or until smooth. On low, gradually beat in the sugar, scraping the bowl as needed. Beat on high until fluffy. Frost between the cake layers and over the sides and top of the cake.

shared on MomTrends

Love Is In The Air

Well Valentine weekend starts tommorow with Valentine day being Monday. Love is in the air and one of my proudest moments this week is the love of a newborn baby my lil Prince Yes my daughter gave birth to a son yesterday afternoon. Introducing my little Prince

Some of the other goodies that I have shared this week on my blog are Wilton Valentine Cookie Pops they are so cute, can be made to fit your personality and I am sure will be a hit with your Valentine

Make up some delicious easy to make but sure to be the hit of Valentines both big and small are Jell0 Valentine creamy Jigglers

Top it all off with some Chocolate Raspberry Torte mmm good!!!

 also shared on Check Me Out Saturday

Valentine Heart Shaped Pizza for Food Trip Friday

One custom that can be found in America in our region are heart shaped pizza. I decided I would share this thought as my food trip Friday post

Friday Potluck

1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (about 1 ounce)

Cooking spray

1 cup chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup ketchup, divided

3 ounces white cheddar cheese, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 425°. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs; cook 3 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. While breadcrumbs cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Combine onion mixture, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup, and remaining ingredients. Shape into 6 (4 x 2-inch) loaves on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; spread 2 teaspoons ketchup over each. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until done.

Winner Alert: Tushie Huggers

The winner of the Agoo Tushie Huggers is
Andrea said...
Tweet! http://twitter.com/ampaetka/status/34449487413907456



winner has been notified and has 36 hours to claim prize

Wilton Valentine Pops

Wilton Valentine Cookie Pops are super cute you can find out how to make these here

Beautiful Valentine Cookies

Found these lovely looking shortbread heart cookies while looking around the blogs If you want to try your hand at making them visit the blog The Prudent Homemaker to get  the recipe

Valentines Creamy Jigglers

2-1/2 cup boiling water
2 pkg. (8-serving size each) JELL-O Gelatin, any red flavor
1 cup cold milk
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding


STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 3 min. until completely dissolved. Cool 30 min. at room temperature. POUR milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 1 min. Add to gelatin; stir until well blended. Pour into 13x9-inch pan. REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until firm. Dip bottom of pan in warm water 15 sec. Cut into 24 decorative shapes using 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutters, being careful to cut all the way through gelatin to bottom of pan. Lift JIGGLERS® from pan. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

recipe suggestion: Kraft

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2011/02/pennywise-platter-thursday-210.html

shared with frugal food Thursday

http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/02/simple-lives-thursday-30th-edition/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FXduT+%28A+Little+Bit+of+Spain+in+Iowa+-+Traditional...+Simple+Foods%29

Introducing my Little Prince

sorry about the quality of the picture as it is from a cell phone but I just wanted you all to meet my little prince born this afternoon. This is our first grandson.

Share the Love with Bird Friends

While I have made bird feeders before I must say that I was impressed by the one that I found on the blog 5 minutes for mom Just look how cute it is

Enter to win a Chicco Vega Travel System

3 Kids and Us has partnered with Target Baby to offer one lucky mom or dad the chance to give their baby gear a Spring upgrade. New and exclusive to Target, the Chicco Vega Collection (link underlined words to http://bit.ly/TargetBabyChicco) features 3 popular products including the Chicco Cortina KeyFit Travel System, Lullaby Playard and Polly High Chair. Each piece covered in a woven jacquard fabric in gray with pops of bright orange, perfect for boys and girls.

3 Kids and Us has partnered with Target Baby to offer one lucky mom or dad the chance to give their baby gear a Spring upgrade. New and exclusive to Target, the Chicco Vega Collection  features 3 popular products including the Chicco Cortina KeyFit Travel System, Lullaby Playard and Polly High Chair. Each piece covered in a woven jacquard fabric in gray with pops of bright orange, perfect for boys and girls.






Enter to win a Chicco Cortina Travel System valued at $299.99 on the blog 3 kids and us. This giveaway ends Feb 25, 2011

One of my children bought every family member a tin of popcorn of their own. Let me tell you the delightful taste of popcorn and the fact that I did not have to share with anyone made me feel like a kid again. Whether you like to share with others or want to savor a treat by your self The Popcorn Factory has wonderful products that will allow you to do just that. I entered the giveaway over at Thanks Mail Carrier for a chance to win a $25 gc to The Popcorn Factory. This giveaway ends March 4, 2011  

Wins Snapware Products

In a large busy family like mine storage is a needed item but also a luxury Snapware products are wonderful in that they close tightly and often able to put in small places I entered to win some snapware products over on the blog EthertonPhotography Giveaway ends 3/11/2011

3 Question Thursdays

  

#1. What is your favorite part of Valentine's Day?




#2. What is the best gift you received on Valentine's Day?



#3. If you could have one gift for Valentine's Day, what would it be?

My answers:
 
#1 I love the beautiful candies, decorations and the fact that love is in the air
 
#2 unexpected flowers from my husband and children
 
#3 A small retreat where all my children and grandchildren are present

Bit of Chocolate for Valentines Day

http://lifeasmom.com/2011/02/making-oatmeal-special-ultimate-recipe-swap-valentines-day.html

Double Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake

Cake:


Cooking spray

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups boiling water

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

6 tablespoons butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (7 1/2 ounces)

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting:

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons fat-free milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups sifted powdered sugar

Topping:

2/3 cup fat-free caramel apple dip (such as T. Marzetti's)

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.



To prepare cake, coat bottoms of 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray (do not coat sides of pans); line bottoms with wax paper. Coat wax paper with cooking spray; dust with 1 tablespoon flour.



Combine boiling water and cocoa, stirring well with a whisk. Cool completely.



Place granulated sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, and vanilla in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Lightly spoon 1 2/3 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 1 2/3 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and cocoa mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.



Pour batter into prepared pans; sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.



To prepare frosting, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and 2 tablespoons milk; cook 1 minute or until sugar melts. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Combine butter mixture and 2 teaspoons vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating until spreading consistency.



Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread top with half of frosting. Place caramel dip in a small zip-top plastic bag. Snip a small hole in 1 corner of bag; drizzle half of caramel dip over frosting. Top with other cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top of cake; drizzle with remaining caramel dip. Sprinkle with pecans.



recipe source : my recipes