Yummy Things & Cupcake Dreams

Back to blogging soon !

2009-07-26T03:37:00.000-04:00

I think I finally got my blog the way I'd like it so I am going to return to blogging soon!

2009-03-19T10:36:00.000-04:00

Happy 1st Birthday !!!

My neice Justyce turned a whole whopping 1 yr old!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl !

Love, Auntie

Triples & Mega Deals !

2008-11-11T16:11:00.000-05:00

I did ok at the Harris Teeter Triples and The Kroger Mega Sale but would have done so much better had they actually had the sale items in stock. I actually have to travel a distance to both of these stores so it can be rather disappointing when you go only to be greeted by empty shelves. I hope to really do better at the upcoming Ingles Triples.

For all the above items at Harris Teeter (Top Pic)total was $333.55. After coupons I paid oop $18.32 and get $10 back since my HBA reward didn't automatically come off.

Kroger Mega Sale total was $140.74. After coupons I paid oop $17.04 which really sucked because $5 of that was because I didn't receive my $5 end of total because my wonderful husband was rushing me and I miscounted my sponges ..arghhh. $10 of it was my 20 lb turkey that is not in the photo because he was camera shy and the rest blasted tax.

I really hope I do much better at the new sales coming up ...

Take Care,

And The Winner Is ....

2008-11-03T13:39:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay of posting the winner ... It was a super crazy weekend ... Congratulations to Lisa and a big thank you to all who visited my blog and entered! This was fun and I can't wait until the next one !

Take Care,

$20 For Charity Blog Review ...

2008-10-31T14:59:00.000-04:00

I came across this blog $20 For Charity during the Bloggy Carnival Giveaway. I decided to blog about $20 for charity not only for the extra entries to her giveaway that I so want to win for Justice but her blog is so much more. Not only does she posts about great deals, but she also post deals that would be great give to charity ... Something I love to do myself. I love to score deals and stockpile it but I also give alot of it away to family and the local food bank.

So check out her blog ...it totally rocks! She has deals for Kroger, CVS, Bath & Body Works and so much more . She has also blogged about items she has donated which has given me some great ideas I never thought about.

While your there don't forget to enter her 2nd giveaway for the Baby Einstein Collection 1 DVD boxed set of 9 Baby Einstein DVD's.

Take Care,

More Awesome Blog Giveaways !

2008-10-28T10:26:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo! More blog giveaways ... these wonderful blogs (Please visit and check them out they really are great!) are giving away awesome prizes so hop on over visit them and enter their giveaways ... you may be just like me and find yourself becoming a regular reader there.

Wisconsin Mommy is giving away a $25 BP gas card ... who couldn't use that? Check it out !

A Simple Walk is having a cuddle up with a good book giveaway. It includes an awesome book, a blanket to cuddle in and a $10 Caribou Coffee giftcard ... How fabulous is that !!!

Frugal Rhode Island Mama is giving away a $10 CVS giftcard over on her blog ... ECB's and CVS rocks! Go see for yourself !

Frugal Finds From Your Frugal Friends is giving away 3 Indulgence Baskets filled with pampering items and sweets ... What more could a girl ask for! Why your there check out her awesome floating ghosts and flying bat ... Super cute!

A Spritz Sis is giving away a year subscription to Good Housekeeping. I just love that magazine! Check out the blog over there .. I am so making the Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodle bar cookies I came across over there! Yumm-O !

Getting Free From Debt is giving away a $20 giftcard of your choice. She has alot of great stuff on her blog deals, contests, oh and coupons to ! Did I ever tell you how much I love coupons :) Go check it out !

Sandier Pastures is giving away $30 via paypal how cool is that! Run on over and check it out and while you are there make sure you check her blog out !

Peanut Butter and Pickles Review is giving away an awesome cupcake courier. Being the cupcake and sweet fanatic that I am this would be perfect for me ... how about you? Go on over and enter ...don't forget to check out her other giveaways as well.

A Wrestling Addicted Mom is giving away B70 Keurig Platinum Brewing System ... it's so cool ! Hop on over and enter ..while your there take a look around and enter other giveaways she has.

Book Room Reviews is giving away an awesome set of 10 spooky books to 5 people! This is sooo cool. I for one love these kind of books, Hec, I plan on watching Ghost Hunters live to wee hours of the morning on Halloween. Even if your not into scary reads they have awesome reviews of all kinds of other books and other giveaways to! Go check it out!

Enjoy!

It's The Bloggy Giveaway !

2008-10-27T07:26:00.000-04:00

One lucky winner will win a cast iron Rachael Ray fajita pan in blue and a 3 pc Rachael Ray small bowl set. (Both Brand New In Box and Package)

To enter just leave a comment below telling me what you love the most about the Fall season. Giveaway ends at 12:00 am Friday Oct 31. I will select a winner using the random generator on Saturday Nov 1. Winner has 24 hrs to respond with address or a new winner will be selected. Sorry, Giveaway open to those in the US only due to the weight of the cast iron pan ... Have Fun !

Don't forget that there are lots of great blogs participating in the Bloggy Giveaway so click the banner below and check out the other blogs and enter their giveaways to ... Good Luck !

Awesome Blog Giveaways !!

2008-10-26T20:54:00.000-04:00

In honor of breast cancer awareness month Brock and Ava is giving away a Vera Bradley Lola bag and zip around wallet in Pinwheel Pink! You totally have to go check the blog out it's wonderful and remember to enter her fabulous giveaway before you leave.

Check out the Household Helper's Walmart giftcard giveaway all you have to do is leave a question you'd like to know about about meal planning/cooking, organizing, frugal living, decorating or cleaning. Why your there make sure you check out her Thrifty Thursday posts ... she has some awesome tips.

You must head on over to Parenting Tips and Ideas they are having a Tupperware Jel-Ring and bowl giveaway. Don't forget to check out the blog while you are there ... They have alot of great stuff !

Check it out ! Just A Mom's Take On Things is giving away a $15 starbucks giftcard. Can you say so yummy! Why your there make sure to look around her blog as she has alot of links to other giveaways as well.

Take Care,

Ughh ..My walmart is driving me mad!

2008-10-25T08:17:00.000-04:00

There's nothing worse than having a plan all laid out for scoring some deals with coupons only to have it go awry. My Super Walmart is remodeling and you can't find a blasted thing in there. I searched high and low for the trial sized Crest White Strips which would have netted me some pretty sweet deals with the overage but alas they had everything crammed together and nothing restocked ...uggh. The plus side is it's going to awesome when they get it finished and I can get back to shopping normally .... until then here's what I happened to get.

9 Gillette Fusion Razor Box set ringing up at $5 - $4/1 gilette fusion razor coupon made them $1 a piece.

10 Gillette Body/Shampoo Wash $2 a piece - $2 Gillette shampoo coupon = Free

6 Huggies Clean Team Buddies .97 each - $3/3 Clean Team coupons = Free

7 Febreze Noticables $5.97 each - $5/1 Febreze Noticible coupons = .97 each

6 Jello Singles .50 - .50 coupon = Free

Total : 115.61

Coupon Amount : $ 100.00

Out Of Pocket Paid : $16.55 (including tax)

Take Care,

Pumpkins, apples and sweets oh my !

2008-10-23T05:45:00.000-04:00

It's my favorite time of the year and I was just enjoying the view of the mountains from my porch and I thought I would share it with you. I just love fall ... the crisp air, the beautiful array of colored leaves but nothing says fall to me more than pumpkins, apples and sweet potatoes. With fall comes wonderful seasonal treats that I look forward each year. There's nothing more comforting than being curled up in a blanket on a crisp autumn day while baking a pumpkin bread or sweet potato pie that fills your home with the most wonderful scent. So to kick off the fall season ... I am sharing my most favorite recipe for Southern Sweet Potato Pie (Recipe below) with you. May it fill your heart and home with much comfort and love as it does mine ....

Take Care,

__________________

4 ounces butter, softened
2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
2 cups granulated sugar
1 small can (5 ounces, about 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 prepared pie shells, unbaked

Mix butter, potatoes, sugar and evaporated milk until well blended. Add vanilla, eggs, and cinnamon; mix well. Pour into the prepared pie shells. Bake in a 350° oven for about 1 hour, until set. Makes 2 pies.

Yee Haw ! The Bloggy Carnival is coming !

2008-10-20T08:46:00.000-04:00

I am so excited !! I am back in time to participate in the quarterly Bloggy carnival which will be held From Oct 27-31. I have some great stuff for a giveaway ... come back on the 27th and enter!

Oh, How I love Harris Teeter !!!

2008-10-15T04:02:00.000-04:00

Since Harris Teeter is having a promotion with Unilever that when you buy $15 worth of products you'll get $5 coupon toward your next order I couldn't miss out on this deal ..... So I bought 28 packages of Lipton Sides in 2 different orders. They were BOGO and I used the .75/2 coupon which they doubled.

Total : $42.93

Savings with coupons/sales : $41.30

Paid out of pocket: $1.63 and received 2 coupons for $5 off my next order !!!

Lowes Foods Triples

2008-10-15T03:33:00.000-04:00

Finally, here is what I scored from Lowes Foods Triples. (Sorry about the pictures I'm still trying to figure out how to work the new camera..lol) I totally love getting amazing deals and I put a lot of effort in finding the best ones and this is my first triple experience at Lowes Foods and I have to say I am totally spoiled by Harris Tetter. My Lowes Foods ran out of 90 % of the stuff the first day and NEVER restocked plus 2 of the managers were ... well let's just say they weren't very friendly. So I'm glad that is over and done with and I can't wait until HT's next triples.

Total : $259.02

Savings with coupons and sales : $236.83

Paid out of pocket : $22.19

I'm Back !

2008-10-08T03:08:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo ! I'm back !!!

Well I'm back after a much needed time away this summer. I'm so excited it's my fav time of year and I'll be doing a bunch of different new things on my blog. One thing will be couponing ... since the economy sucks right now and hubby is working on and off I have taken up couponing again and tomorrow is the start of Lowes Foods TRIPLES !! I'm so excited! Tomorrow I'll share my scored deals .... until then ...

Take Care,

2008-04-29T22:15:00.000-04:00

I'm 2 Months Old Now !!

Isn't Miss Justyce so dang cute !! I haven't even had the chance to hold my new little niece yet. Since I live far away I have to wait until my summer visit to see my family in July and after my visit I will bring David & Lynde home with me to NC to stay for awhile during the summer. My sister just uploaded these new pics and let me tell you she looks so much like her older brother. I am such a proud Auntie and have to confess that my nephew and two nieces are so sweet, adorable and oh so wonderful ... yep ,they are just like their Auntie!

I am so excited that I won an award !! It's in my sidebar .. Woo Hoo!!

Take Care,

And The Winner Is ...

2008-04-26T13:32:00.000-04:00

Kara from Bringing Home Ava

Congratulations ...

Thank you everyone for participating it was a blast. I look forward to the next one and I'll be giving away more than one prize. I hope you had fun and come back and see me soon!

Take Care,

2008-04-24T13:11:00.000-04:00

Wow ! I'm so happy to the response of my giveaway ... you guys are awesome! I am already planning and looking forward to the next one and I think I am going to go with more Food Network goodies since it seems to be such a hit. Now the question is what should it be ... I have brand new RR pans, RR mixing bowls, RR cookbooks as well as Mario Batali Cookbooks and aMario bowl set or maybe Paula Deen since I have cookbooks of hers and maybe I can throw in some Paula Deen spices .. I told you I was a Food Network junkie.. lol. What would you like to see at my next giveaway more Rachael, Paula or maybe Mario ... I'd love if you comment and let me know. Thanks for visiting and I hope you come back often!

Take Care,

Bloggy Carnival Giveaway

2008-04-20T19:12:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my blog Yummy Things & Cupcake Dreams ... Woo Hoo! It's carnival time again and in celebration of my new blog and The Bloggy Giveaway Carnival I am giving one of my lucky visitors a new Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl and a new Rachael Ray 2,4,6,8 Great Meals For Couples or Crowds cookbook as well. (Note: Garbage bowl is NOT ceramic but is made from durable melamine.)

To enter just leave a comment below telling me who's your favorite chef or favorite show on Food Network (Sorry,Open to US residents only) You do not need to have a blog to enter, only one entry per person (sorry, any repeats will be deleted), please make sure to have your email visible or you may leave it in your post so I can reach you if you're the winner, The giveaway will end April 26th at 12:00 am. A winner will be randomly selected on April 27th then posted here on the blog.

My Friend Barb is having a giveaway as well so hop on over to The French Elements and say hi.

There are so many blogs participating in the carnival you can go here for the list or click the button in my sidebar. So make sure to stop by check out some great blogs and enter their giveaways to ... Good Luck and have fun! I am off to visit some new blogs and who knows maybe I'll get lucky and win a giveaway to.

Thanks for stopping by! Come back often, Don't forget to check back Sunday April 27 to see if you won!

Food Network & My Giveaway

2008-04-17T13:50:00.000-04:00

Hi! My name is Marilyn and I am a Food Network junkie! Yep, that's me the gal who is known to have the Food Network channel on blaring in the background. Well it seems rather fitting since I love to cook, bake and most of all EAT ! I happen to be a big fan of Ina Garten(Barefoot Contessa) She's constantly feeding and entertaining someone. I wonder often is she's just one lonely woman ..lol, Giada De Laurentiis (Everyday Italian) I love this show but I swear there are times I think if she tries to smile any bigger she is sure to swallow her head, Paula Deen(Paula's Down Home Cooking) How can you not love a cook who doesn't care whats good or bad for you as long as it tastes good and she's just so outgoing and bubbly ..yep she ROCKS! Then we have good ole Sandra Lee (Semi -Homemade) I like this show because I'm all for short cuts and cute entertaining ideas but am I the only one that notices she never reveals the tablescape of the day before downing some of the cocktail she made for cocktail time? Last but not least we have Rachael Ray(30 min meals) Can we all say yumm-o! I love her show but I will confess there are times I want to stick my head through the TV to scream CALM DOWN! Wow she's a hyper one but despite some small annoyances she's up there with Ms Paula she ROCKS!

Ok, which leaves me thinking about having a Rachael Ray goodie basket to giveaway for the Bloggy Giveaway. With a RR Garbage bowl, RR Cookbook and I'm not sure what else yet ... What do you think?

The Amish

2008-04-15T12:56:00.000-04:00

I just got done reading the Annie's People Series By Beverly Lewis. I was so mesmerized I couldn't put them down until I finished them. Besides my family, visiting the Amish farms in the summer is what I miss back home in Pennsylvania. Yep, I am a "northerner" or "yank" as I am sometimes referred to here in these parts of the south. I married a true southern gentleman who sometimes gets a negative reaction for marrying a northern gal but I am proud to say he wouldn't have it any other way but, The funny thing is when we go to PA to visit my family I notice alot of ladies falling all over themselves and are always trying to engage him into some kind of conversation just to hear his southern accent. On the last visit home he wanted to see Amish and I wanted to shop and browse their stands along the road that were set up with all kinds of wonderful things they sell from quilts, eggs to produce they farmed on their lands to homemade baked goods which are my favorite. Fresh from the oven and still warm they are packaged and lovingly placed out on the shelves of their stands usually right next to the jars of jelly, jams and all sorts of other canned goods for the "fancy" or "Englishers" to come browse. Oh, the thoughts of the wonderful smells of fresh breads, pies,cookies and cakes has me totally craving an Amish Wet Bottom Shoofly Pie! This gooey molasses pie is oh so good. I was thinking I will make one and I am going to share the recipe with you in hopes you might enjoy a piece of Pennsylvania Dutch as well.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons shortening

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup dark corn syrup (blackstrap is recommended)
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

DIRECTIONS
To Make Crumbs: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and shortening. Cut ingredients together with a pastry cutter or rub with fingers until dough forms fine crumbs. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
To Make Filling: In a medium bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water. Stir in corn syrup, molasses, salt and egg being sure to stir well. Pour 1/3 of mixture into unbaked pie crust. Sprinkle 1/3 of the crumbs over mixture. Continue this process until crumb mixture and liquid mixture have been used up.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, then lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

Take Care,

What A Weekend !

2008-04-07T03:46:00.000-04:00

My goodness I can't believe I wasted my entire weekend trying to figure out the mystery to the hidden Kohls deals. Ok, I readily admit I am totally addicted to these mysterious treasures that are hidden among their online store just waiting for me to find them so I can snatch up the best deal to be had. So I decided to spend the last 2 days trying to figure out how to find them so I could proudly stake my claim at finding a piece of the treasure to my fellow Kohls addicts over at slickdeals. And guess what I could not even find one after trying everything I could possibly think of. Ughhhh .. But I did happen to score a deal thanks to a find from a fellow addict. I got a $30 set of Dora the Explorer jammies for Miss Justyce for the unbeliveable total of $ 2.43 with shipping and tax included for that price I couldn't pass it up even if they are a tad to big for her now, she will grow into them ... eventually. Oh yeah! I was flying high off that one and my poor hubby's eyeballs had to be hurting him something fierce for all the times he rolled them at me while he happen to see me still sitting there searching in vain, looking, waiting ,looking some more..lol

I am also so excited to see my new friend Barb from The French Elements is going to join in on the bloggy giveaway carnival ! Woo Hoo! Since I won her last giveaway I won't be entering this one but you better .. I promise you won't be dissappointed. Ok, you might be a little if your not the lucky winner ... sorry my bad. I just noticed that she has a post up that will give you a touch of a French Patisserie with her recipe for Madeleines. This is actually my cup of tea and anyone who knows me knows I love to bake and I love all things Parisian. I even have my kitchen done in a Paris cafe theme so I am definitely going to bake these and I actually saw the madeleine pans recently while shopping online so off I go to see if I can find a great deal on these pans.

Take Care,

2008-04-04T01:56:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo ! I am so dang excited ... it's that time again for another Giveaway Carnival and it's scheduled for the week of April 21-25 . Oooh, that means lots of people can come visit my new blog and at the last carnival there was over 1000 participants and it was sooo fun entering all the giveaways and visiting all the different blogs that I didn't know even existed. Hmmm, since I have a blog now what can I giveaway ... I am going to introduce my blog at this wonderful event so I think it should be something awesome. If you have a blog and your interested just click on the button to the left in this post it will take you to Carnival Guidelines you never know you just might find yourself participating to!

Take Care,

The French Elements

2008-04-02T01:33:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of being the lucky giveaway winner at The French Elements and was sent a box full of bath & body products and I wasted no time trying each and everyone of them. I was so impressed with the products that I decided to blog about them. This online store that is filled with many treasures to be had is owned by Barbara Harmon who had the pleasure of living in Europe during her young adulthood she then later returned to the US and started her long career with Clinique. She finally followed her heart and did what she loves most and that is create her own bath & body products and let me tell you she is good at it.

This week their featured product is the Almost Sinful Walnut Scrub and this scrub is amazing. I received this scrub in Creme Brulee scent and it smelled sooo good and exfoliated to perfection without irritating the skin so this would also be perfect for people with sensitive skin. I also tested her bath bombs, Luxe Riviera Shower Gel, Truly Decadent Goats Milk Body Creme and Super Whipped Body Frosting. I have to honestly say that her skin soothers are to die for and are by far the best lotions I have found that actually moisturizes my skin and isn't greasy. You have to try them ... I promise you won't be disappointed with any of the products and they come in many scrumptious scents such as Apricot Cream Puff, Creme Brulee, Orange Creamsicle, Martinique, White Zinfandel, Cote d' Azur and there are so many more scents HERE.

Visit The French Elements Store

Visit The French Elements Blog

The French Elements received 5 Stars

Overall they have exceptional quality products, fast shipping, excellent packing ensuring product protection and outstanding friendly customer service and communications.

I'm so sorry !

2008-03-30T04:08:00.000-04:00

I'm so sorry for being MIA !!!!

What was once just seasonal allergies has turned into Sinusitis. I am so plum sick. As soon as I can sit at the computer for more than 3 min without feeling like I am going to fall over I will be back to normal posting. I have ALOT of stuff to post about ... I have a great product review for The French Elements ( Don't Miss it !!) and as requested more posts about giveaways that I come across. So please bare with me, I hope to be back to my normal self soon.

Take Care,

Spring Cleaning Time!

2008-03-26T16:26:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year to SPRING CLEAN! I am sharing some of my favorite cleaning Tips & Tricks that may help you along the way or when your in a pinch. So whip out your favorite tunes & cleaning gloves and remember welcoming Spring means Summer's around the corner!

* If you have rust stains in your bathtub or sink, pour on hydrogen peroxide and sprinkle on a little cream of tartar. Let it sit for a half hour or so, then wipe clean.

* Mix equal parts olive oil and lemon juice for a natural furniture polish. Just apply with a soft cloth and buff to a shine. You can also use this on wood paneling.

* Use shaving cream to clean carpet stains. Just scrub it in and rinse and let dry.

* Tuck dryer sheets in drawers to help keep your clothes smelling fresh.

Homemade Oxiclean

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup of baking soda
1 cup of hot water

Directions : Mix together and use in place of Oxiclean

Homemade Febreze

Ingredients:
3 cups water

3 TBS fabric softener
3 TBS rubbing alcohol

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a clean empty spray bottle and shake well to mix thoroughly.

Happy Easter !

2008-03-23T02:23:00.000-04:00

More Blog Giveaways

2008-03-18T00:47:00.000-04:00

Baggage AndBug is having a giveaway for a Silver iPod Nano. I am embarrassed to admit I don't have one yet, but it's not easy winning one of theseyou know ..lol. So hop on over and enter for your chance to win to and check out her blog while you are there. This ends on March 19th.

The WAHM Spot has teamed up with Baby Swags to present Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony with wonderful, unique, new, and upscale products made by moms and guess what you can enter win one... How cool is that !Just go enter here at The WAHM Spot the deadline to enter is March 31.

Over at Jo-Jo's Place in celebration of her 100th post she's giving away Chocolate, Coffee & Hair goodies stop hop on over and check her blog out and enter ends ???.

Mother's Earth Garden is giving away $30 to one lucky person. Stop by and check out her site it's amazing with lots of great garden related information. This giveaway ends at midnight on March 31st.

Blog Giveaways

2008-03-17T21:56:00.000-04:00

Peggy over at Simple Woman is having a fun giveaway to help with the dreaded spring cleaning that is a win that would sure inspire me to clean. Go check out her blog she has alot of great stuff over there. She will be drawing the winner on March 20th.

Chrys An The Moms is giving away an awesome basket filled with Watkins products. The chef in me couldn't resist ! Hop on over and check out her blog. She will be drawing a winner on March 2oth.

Island Life is giving away this awesome Retro Kiwi Flowers Handbag that was generously donated by Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags. You really need to check out both of these blogs I promise they ROCK!

Hey Lady has a great review and giveaway for the book Did Expect Angels? Hop on over and check it out! The book has excellent reviews and I definitely would like to read this one. She will draw the winner on March 21st.

Jerry over at Cooking By The Seat Of My Pants is having an awesome giveaway with an iPod Touch being the prize. How cool is that, If I am ever to own one of these babies I will have to win it so go check out his blog and enter the giveaway before you leave. This giveaway ends on April 11th

Yum-O! Over at You Never Let Go they are having a yummy giveaway of Organic Toaster Pasteries. I love these and how can you go wrong? They're organic. So check out her blog and enter to win some to. This ends on March

Cass Knits is giving away this great Martha Stewart's Cookies cookbook. The chef in me would so love this. So go enter to win and while you are there make sure you check out her blog she has lots of good reading there. This giveaway ends at midnight on March 23rd.

My Trendy Tikes is giving away $25 Gift Certificate to use at Our 2 Peas In A Pod. They have the cutest jewelry. I couldn't resist displaying the Peeps bracelet. Miss Justyce would look so adorable wearing it and if you have or know of a little one who loves bling you must go and enter and check out the site ... You will be hooked!

Oh My! It's chocolate! How can anyone resist. Go Workout Mom is having a Ferrero Rondnoir dark chocolates giveaway so run on over and check out her great blog then enter the giveaway on your way out.

A Frog In My Soup is giving away your choice of Cup of Joe Towel Cake, Neopolitan Towel Cupcake or Blue Sprinkles Cupcake (or choose another item from the shop of equal value) generously donated from Sweet Pea Cakes, etc. Check it out! She has ALOT of really unique and neat gifts for all occassions.

Dessert with Ina Garten

2008-03-17T21:13:00.000-04:00

Here it is !!!! It screams spring, It screams Easter but I swear I heard a whisper say "Make Me and Eat Me". My mystery dessert is Ina Garten's, Lemon Curd Tart ... I can't wait to make it and I am posting the recipe for anyone else who would love to make this lemony, creamy oh so yummy dessert. Enjoy!

For the tart shell: 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Pinch salt

For the lemon curd: 4 lemons, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature 1/8 teaspoon salt

For the tart shell:
Mix the butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Press the dough into a 10-inch-round or 9-inch-square false-bottom tart pan, making sure that the finished edge is flat. Chill until firm.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter 1 side of a square of aluminum foil to fit inside the chilled tart and place it, buttered side down, on the pastry. Fill with beans or rice. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and beans, prick the tart all over with the tines of a fork, and bake again for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool to room temperature.

For the lemon curd:
Remove the zest of the lemons with a vegetable peeler or zester, being careful to avoid the white pith. Squeeze the lemons to make 1/2 cup of juice and set the juice aside. Put the zest in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the sugar and process for 2 to 3 minutes, until the zest is very finely minced. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter with the sugar and lemon zest. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and then add the lemon juice and salt. Mix until combined.
Pour the mixture into a 2-quart saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. The lemon curd will thicken at about 175 degrees F, or just below a simmer. Remove from the heat.

Fill the tart shell with warm lemon curd and allow to set at room temperature.

Spring is here !

2008-03-17T20:42:00.000-04:00

The daffy's are blooming, buds magically appear on the trees and I can here the peepers in the distance at night. Yep, Spring is officially here and I couldn't be happier. Well, OK my body sure isn't to thrilled with the pollen floating in the air making my poor head feel like it may explode at any moment. But what can I say it's getting warmer and I sure am happy for that but, it also means that Easter is around the corner and another holiday I miss spending with my family so I will be entertaining my hubby and his mother this year. Oooh, that means I get to add something new to my Easter dinner this year ... Hmmm, I think it will be a new dessert. What kind you wonder? If you are curious as to what it will be check out my next post and see. Take Care !

Blog Hopping and Fun Giveaways!

2008-03-12T16:15:00.000-04:00

I just had to share these awesome giveaways I came across while out blog hopping. So may I suggest you grab a drink and something to munch before heading on over to their blogs because you may just find yourself visiting for awhile like I did. Oh, don't forget to enter the giveaway before you leave !

Ribbon Rock Star is giving away a yummy Lemon Meringue Pie soap made by Sweet & Tranquil Bath and Body hurry on over as this one ends on March 14th as well.

Megans Cookin is giving away an awesome (Easter) basket of goodies! So run and enter soon she will be pulling a winner on March 17th.

Mommee and Her Boys is giving away Pampered Chef gadgets with some goodies. This one ends on March 14th at midnight so hurry on over!

A Mother's Heart is giving away one pound of Starbucks coffee! Go check it out since this ends on March 15th.

Jenn's Den is giving away a $15 giftcard for Amazon.com she will be picking a winner on March 14th so hurry on over!

Oh Baby Buy Products are giving away THREE prize packages in their Born Green Giveaway! Awesome products in the packages go check it out!

Bubble and Squeek is having a giveaway for a $50 Williams-Sonoma gift card! If I was the lucky winner I would buy me some new kitchen gadgets and a pan I couldn't resist as baking and cooking is a passion of mine. So make sure you enter to win to. This giveaway ends on April 30th at 5:00 pm.

Take Care !

Happy Tuesday & Hot Online Deals

2008-03-11T13:52:00.000-04:00

There are many little things in life I just love .. a good book, a sappy movie but what gives me the ultimate curl my toes, I am so excited I am shaking inside feeling (besides a good kiss of course) is a great deal. I get a thrill out of scoring the sweetest deals to be had online and in stores and I love when the grocery store pays ME to stock my shelves with there goods. So today I am going to share my favorite site SlickDeals (I am nothing more than a devoted member) to score some of these great deals not to mention they have a contest and freebie sections as well. Don't forget to stop back in and let me know some of the great deals you scored!

First post and new family member

2008-03-10T18:59:00.000-04:00

It's official, I am ready to plunge in the big world of blogging. So for my first post on my brand spanking new blog I am going to introduce the newest member of the family. This is Miss Justyce. Isn't she just adorable !!! She is the 3rd child of my one and only sibling ... My sister Michele. I am a very proud Auntie so you will see many posts about my niece's and nephew. I will also be blogging about many of my favorite things such as cooking, baking, couponing , contests, gardening and so much more so y'all come back now, ya hear.