Rice Krispie Surprise

 

• 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 (16-ounce) package marshmallows, divided
• 12 cups puffed rice cereal (Rice Krispies), divided

• 1 (8-ounce) package strawberry marshmallows
• White frosting
• 8 Maraschino cherries with stems

 

Butter 3 (8-inch) cake pans and line with parchment paper.
For Chocolate Layer: Microwave 2 tablespoons butter and chocolate on HIGH in a large glass bowl for 30 second intervals until melted; toss with ½ (16-ounce) package marshmallows. Microwave on HIGH 1 to 1 ½ minutes or until puffed and melted. Immediately stir in 4 cups puffed rice cereal, mixing well. Press into one prepared pan with wet fingers. Let stand 30 minutes or until firm.
For Vanilla Layer: repeat procedure omitting chocolate.
For Strawberry Layer: repeat procedure omitting chocolate and using strawberry marshmallows.
Spread ½ cup frosting between layers. Cut into 8 wedges. Decorate each wedge with a dollop of frosting and a cherry.

recipe source here

Potato Candy

this easy candy is my sisters favorite and my mom makes it each year. This year because of my moms health issues we will be trying to make it ourselves. Have you a favorite recipe for the season?

   spotlight Saturday

New Year Brings New Dreams

Having almost all my kids at home can be a bit tight but I know the future looks bright. We will soon begin a dream of mine and hopefully it will help them out as well. The dream I have will be a family business of sorts. I have had shops before but that was simply me or me and my hubby now it is the entire family. That is why my phase this week is

Looking forward to future with family

1. Every time I see a ____ I oh an ah…
2. I don’t have a ___ bone in my body
3. I like ___ on my burgers
4. If I had one more hour in the day I would _________

every time I see a new born baby I oh and ah
I don't have a broken bone in my body
I like onions on my burgers
If I had one more hour in the day I would share it with my hubby

Red Hat Bandit

Love this picture of him in his red hat. How super cute.

shared at
Ruby Tuesday

Forotten Cookies

I love vintage recipes and have shared some here rom time to time. I believe that these cookies are ones that my grandmother would seal the oven shut with tape so no one would open the door and ruin them. 

Yield: Aproximately 2 dozen

Ingredients:

· 2 egg whites

· 2/3 cups sugar

· Pinch of salt

· 1 teaspoon vanilla

· 1 cup pecans, chopped

· 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat egg whites until foamy, approximately 3 minutes.

3. Slowly add sugar while beating egg whites until stiff.

4. Stir in salt, vanilla, pecans and chocolate chips. Drop onto ungreased tin foil by the spoonful (I used a larger dining spoon). Note: I followed the original recipe to the letter though put the foil on a baking tray for support. I think they could be put directly on a cookie sheet as well.

5. Turn off the oven. Place cookies in the oven and leave until morning.

 

recipe source here

shared at
cowgirl wednesday

     Favorite Recipe Friday

Anyone up For A Snowball Fight

shared at wordless wednesday here

Year in a Glance

The new year has brough my thoughts to people, places and events of the past as well as thoughts of what the new year may bring. I believe the way I think has a lot to do with my dad. Many thought he was a fly by pants king of guy when he would do what he wanted without warning or forsight. The truth is though that he thought all the time, he was always a step ahead of the game. He always knew his next step and when he didnt well he would just make it up as he went along. I believe, or what to believe, that I am that type of person. It seems to come easy to me. When I do get in a rut there are two things that I do I look up to heaven and say "ok dad what is it you would do" and then I get on my knrees and pray to my heavenly father. You know he is the one with even more answers that my dad. But anyways to get back onto subject this year 2012 has really been one to provide lots of ups and downs.

January 2012, would be the celebration for my moms birthday. My mom, my rock, my strength that I can rely on I really dont know what I would do without her. It has not always been this way though. Years ago I was so rebeloious against her. I look at her now and wonder why she is who she is. She is the type of person who lets you be who you are. She may not always like it and may have her own thoughts but generally keeps them to herself. She is a person that has strong will, oh my does she ever but allows your strong will to shine through as well. I love you mom.

February 2012, leap day tornado. I think our lives in this little town changed forever and in our family as well. There are not many family members or friends that in some way were not affected by the tornado that ripped through our town of Harrisburg Illinois. I can remember walking down the alley from our house where houses had been destroyed and all was crazy. Heading out and checking on our neighbors. I am sure that my husband will never forget the twisting tornado that he saw that morning as well. When I was getting all the kids to safety he took a second glance and saw that monster that ripped through our town. In all there were lives lost, houses destroyed and interruption in many lives. My brothers house was destroyed, my house was damaged and oh there were friends who lost lives as well. God was here in the storm though and I saw him in every day life in things that could not have been possible. In the meals that were provided, in the man who came to remove the trees from my yard and the people who showed up one day to board our window shut. God was here and is strong as always. Our little town is coming together to stay together.

March 2012, a hard month but one that seemed to go by fairly quickly. In this month and the ones that followed our saw our family get stronger. The spring would bring many family gatherings as well.

April 2012, My daughter met a boy... and Justin was his name.... They came together and life was never the same...

May 2012. My oldest son came home from college We would notice subtle changes at this time, something was wrong but was not sure at this time what it was. We would find out December 2012 that he was dealing with some mental issues and he would start seeking help. Family genetics playing a big part but family playing an even bigger part embracing him with love as he traveled through this as we all do.

June 2012 so much going on now weather warmer , working a lot

July 2012 trip up to my dads grave where I had not been for several years. A sense of renewal, being able to see the graves of many family members. The cemetary being a 6 hour drive is the reason for it being such a long period of time between visits. Place flowers on his grave and tell him that I love him and about all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren life has changed a lot and I will always miss him and I know he would be so proud of how everything is going.

August 2012 three of my oldest children decide that they will try to venture out on their own. As their mom I want to say "No don't go" but as their mom I want to say it is time for you to grow your wings and fly I will be here to catch you if you need me and I was as in November / December 2012 they would return as they jobs were gone and they were out of money.

September 2012. WOw I turned another year older decided that this was my life and I was taking it by the bull straps

October 2012 me and my youngest son enter into a business together. Still one to be put into a shop of sorts but still a business looking forward to seeing where this goes in 2013

November 2012 our lives dealing with bi/polar begins an we start learning more about it and how we can help our son

December 2012 all of my children but one home and I miss her so much. Grandbabies enjoy their christmas and life is good

SwaddleDesigns Review

Its getting cold out there baby!!! Thats why it is so important to protect and keep our little ones warm. One great way to do that is to use SwaddleDesigns flannel sheets. If you have ever slept on flannel sheets then you know the extra warmth that they provide. Normal cotton sheets are nice but when the weather is cold the extra comfort of flannel is welcomed.

SwaddleDesigns products are known for their great quality and long lasting value that moms and babies love and enjoy for years.SwaddleDesigns are also well respected by the medical community and often are recommended by pediatricians, nurses, boulas, newborn care instructors.

SwaddleDesigns Ultra Soft Fitted Crib Sheets are made from the same soft flannel cotton as our best selling Ultimate Receiving Blankets. These cozy and cmfrtable 100% natural cotton fibers are gentle next to baby's delicate skin. Don't worry with over 20 plus designs and colors to coordinate with SwaddleDesigns best selling product line or any nursery decor or personal style the flannel sheet of your choice will be welcomed into your childs room. The flannel sheets fit standard USA crib mattress (28" x 52") are high quality safe for everyday use.

Looking for a gift for a newborn, mom to be or a baby shower gift? SwaddleDesign products come available in gift ready packaging.

 

SwaddleDesigns was founded by Lynette Damir, RN, Designer and Mom of two in 2002. SwaddleDesigns is known for their premium quality fabric, fabulous colors and prints, and their innovative 123 Swaddle® pictorial instructional label sewn to the edge of their Swaddling blankets that makes learning how to swaddle so easy.

 

 

 

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Keep Those New Year Resolutions

Do you make New Year Resolutions? Well if you are like me you may but you may not always be able to keep them. Dont worry we are not alone. There are 80% of all new-year resolutions that are broken by the end of January each year. Balance Bar Company the makers of America's original nutrition energy bars wants to help consumers to "outlast" their new year resolutions. They  are encouraging Americans to find better balance in 2013. Balance Bar has teamed up with Amber Rosenberg, a certified life coach and Balance Bar's official Resolutions Guru. Together they want to share helpful tips and ideas for setting successful resolutions for 2013 at 

 Balance.com.

Resolutions such as losing weight, getting fit, and finding more organization often are top resolutions that individuals make. Each of them requiring some sort of balance in their life. Great goals, that require getting started with a balanced approach. Balance Bars are aware of this and have started helping Balance fans to share how they will be approaching their resolutions. Balance Bar will also be hosting "Outlast Your New Year's Resolutions" Facebook contest.  

Winners will get personal coaching sessions with Amber along with great prize package featuring balance bar produccts and items to help consumers achieve healthy balance in the coming year. The contest will run from January 1-18 and will include helpful tips from Amber. These tips alone I believe will be powerful and very useful a way to check in every day and get a new tip. Another great way to kick off 2013 is a great get together a two hour chat with Amber and Balance Bar on January 9 at 1:30 pm est/ 10:30 am pst on 

Twitter

 

you can also find great tips from Amber at  Balance.com.

tips such as:
short term focus: as humans we have short - term focus and work better with small steps. (My mother always told me to have short term and long term goals) Amber says that we often dont consider this when making resolutions. Rather than having a goal to lose 20 lbs or to fitting into skinny jeans we should be more realistic and resolve to commit to replacing one can of soda every afternoon with a much healthier alternative. Since the afternoon crash can always be a diet breaker having smart snacks such as  Balance Bar Mini Energy Bars available may help you stick to your resolution. These 100 calorie treats are packed with good for you protien, 23 viatmins and minerals and come in a variety of delicious flavors. Small daily steps will help you feel successful

Be Patient With Yourself (Rome wasn't built in one day) It takes an average of 21 days to create a new habit. Simply doing it once or twice will not help our brains move on repitition. Remind yourself when you forget but dont make it a big deal, it takes time. .

Enlist a support network - support and accountability run hand in hand and helps make your resolution a reality. Share your resolution with others. Simply saying your resolution out-loud or simply via social media creates outside awareness and accountability By joining the Outlast Your New Year’s Resolutions Facebook contest and gaining more tips and outreach can help you make your goal as well. .

“Our philosophy at Balance Bar has always been about helping to create balance and enjoying a healthy lifestyle,” said Katia Facchetti, Chief Marketing Officer for Balance Bar Company. “Our products could be considered a secret weapon or personal life coach in every consumer’s briefcase, purse or gym bag – cheering them on and providing the lasting energy and great taste to outlast and accomplish any goal they set.”

For more information about the Balance Bar “Outlast Your New Year’s Resolutions” contest and Amber Rosenberg, visit Balance.com, Facebook and Twitter.

About Balance Bar

Founded in 1992, Balance Bar, one of America’s original nutrition/energy bars, inspires consumers to lead active, well-rounded and balanced lives by providing great-tasting, healthy and convenient nutrition for lasting energy. Balance Bars are available in eight unique product lines (Original, Gold, Dark, Bare, Café, CarbWell, nimble and mini) and all 28 flavors are based on the 40/30/30 nutrition model – a proven formula developed by scientists to help stabilize blood sugar levels that represents the caloric ratio the body needs to enjoy lasting balanced energy and satisfy hunger for longer; 40% of total calories from carbs, 30% from quality protein and 30% from dietary fat. For more information, visit www.Balance.com. Follow Balance Bar for tips and nutritional information on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Balancebar) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/Balancebar).

there was no compensation of any manner to share this post simply wanted to bring this great news to all of my readers

A Favorite Recipe by Many

I am very pleased that a recipe I shared here on annies home over a year ago has now entered Pinterest and is being shared by many. While this recipe often finds its way on our supper table as the kids love it this recipe is also a great one for new years eve when celebrating with kids. Check this recipe out here

shared at foodie friday
                Show and Tell Friday
               Freedom Friday

New Resolution + recipe

This year I am looking to change our eating style up a bit. Healthier the better and well that includes veggies in our diet even if we have to dress them up in a way that they may really love. Do you have any ideas or tips to share to make my resolution happen?


Twice Baked Cauliflower
(Makes 6-8 servings; recipe adapted slightly from The Low Carb Gourmet.)

Ingredients:
1 large head cauliflower
4 oz. low fat cream cheese (do not use fat free)
1/2 cup low fat sour cream (do not use fat free)
1/4 cup minced green onions
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (If you only have finely grated Parmesan, use a bit less)
6 slices bacon, cooked until very crisp, fat blotted with paper towel and then crumbled
1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
(I used Kraft 2% milk sharp cheddar)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Cut out stem and core from cauliflower, and cut into small pieces. Cook in large pot of boiling salted water until cauliflower is tender, but not overly soft. Drain well and mash with potato masher, leaving some chunks. Mix in light cream cheese, light sour cream, green onion, Parmesan, and 3/4 of the crumbled bacon.

Spread evenly in a medium-sized glass casserole dish. Sprinkle with low-fat cheddar cheese and reserved bacon. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

 

         The Bulletin Board


>

Community Helper Snowmen

as found on facebook

It snowed in Southern Illinois

Blue Bird

A fairly common bird here in southern Illinois is the blue bird. Beauty is in the eye and this bird sports some beauty in its wings.
The Last Word of the BlueBird
by robert frost

As I went out a Crow
In a low voice said, "Oh,
I was looking for you.
How do you do?
I just came to tell you
To tell Lesley (will you?)
That her little Bluebird
Wanted me to bring word
That the north wind last night
That made the stars bright
And made ice on the trough
Almost made him cough
His tail feathers off.
He just had to fly!
But he sent her Good-by,
And said to be good,
And wear her red hood,
And look for the skunk tracks
In the snow with an ax-
And do everything!
And perhaps in the spring
He would come back and sing."

A Dogs Life

shared at
5 minutes for mom

Bloggers Wanted

Resolutions to a Better You! Event

Hosted by Mom Powered Media

Prize: $500 Cash

Event dates: 1/3 – 1/31