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You’ve got a giveaway, I want to know about it! Oh, and if you list your giveaway on Mom Start facebook page then I will tweet it out to all of my twitter followers. At 9100 followers and growing all the time! Cool? I hope so!
I’ve got a few giveaways you might want to check out too!
StoveTop Everyday Stuffing Mix is just what it says, everyday. I love StoveTop Stuffing Mix, I always have and they went and changed the recipe on me. Guess what? I still love it.
In the summer time, I would live with my mom and she kept a pantry full of stuff that I could cook myself in the microwave or just by boiling some water. I remember one of the things I would make for myself was StoveTop Stuffing mix. I would eat it for breakfast or lunch. Now as mom myself, I find it great to use as a side dish, dinner for myself, or as an ingredient for something else. I’ve made sausage stuffing and used StoveTop as the base for the stuffing. That being said, I actually use StoveTop as the base for my Thanksgiving Dressing too. I add a lot more to it, but the basic flavor in my dressing comes from StoveTop. It’s just so convenient. Tonight we had chicken, carrots, green beans, and dressing. it was of course a hit.
Knowing that I love to use it in a recipe, next time I’m going to try the One-Dish Chicken Bake, modified for our family of course. Like this:
Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups hot water
6 ounces of StoveTop Stuffing Mix
1 lb. of chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup of sour cream
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degree
Add the hot water to the StoveTop and stir until all the stuffing is wet
Place the chicken in a glass baking dish
Mix the sour cream and cream of chicken soup and pour over the chicken
Top with the stuffing mix
Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is done
How do you like your StoveTop?
Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation
The kids in our neighborhood are such ruffians. They scream, they shout, they drive too fast! In our neighborhood we call them the Motorcycle Gang. It’s a group of kids that ride motorcycles any time the rain stops, well sometimes they even ride their motorcycles in the rain. It’s a mother’s nightmare.
I know, at first glance they all look way to sweet to be any trouble at all right. Especially that red headed one on the left, that one he’s a charmer, but watch out he’s trouble with a capital “T”. He’ll just bat his eyes at you and smile until you give him what he wants. At first, we only had two motorcycles in the neighborhood. Our Hungarian neighbor across the street brought this trouble with her. The whole lot of them should be banned for starting up the motorcycle gang. She still has family that lives there and that’s where the motorcycles came from. These plastic balance bikes we know and love in our neighborhood spread like wild fire. And honestly, I’m actually to blame for the size of our Motorcycle gang, not my neighbor.
I couldn’t keep my child off of their motorcycle so I had to get one for my children and one turned into two and another neighbor now has one too. So we have five superMopi riders total. Other children in the neighborhood have found other balance bikes so our gang is now up to 8. Finding the plastic balance bike (the SuperMopi) on the internet to purchase for my own children was a pain in the butt. You try typing in Hungarian Balance Bike, or Hungary Plastic Motorcycle, I had to look at pages and pages of balance bikes that were not what I was looking for. Until I finally found SuperMopi on Amazon.
On Amazon you can buy them in two sizes, Large and Extra Large. I recommend just getting the extra large. My neighbor has on that is even larger than the extra large, the difference is like an inch or two but for me I think the larger the better because the kids are just going to grow. Most balance bikes just cost too much for what they are. There are wooden balance bikes and metal balance bikes and in our climate I’m afraid of rust and mildew. So the SuperMOPI was right our my alley plus the price was much better than anyone else’s.
Final note:
If you’re thinking of visiting our neighborhood, watch out for the Motorcycle Gang!
Disclosure: We purchased Two of these balance bikes because we LOVE them!!!
This Caramel-Mocha-Sea Salt Cupcake Recipe, on page 51, is an experiment for me from the Big Book of Cupcakes presented by Southern Living. In this cupcake cookbook Jan Moon presents 150 “brilliantly delicious dreamcakes”. Don’t believe it? Try their Peaches-and-Cream, Mojito, Sweet Lavender, Pecan Pie, Maple Bacon, Tiramisu, Bad Mama Jama, Nutty for Coconut, or Mint Chocolate Chip cupcakes. Jan Moon’s Big Book of Cupcakes also offers Gluten Free and Vegan cakes.
Caramel-Mocha-Sea Salt Cupcakes Recipe (Photo By Summer)
From page 51:
One of our most requested flavors, this cupcake is a combination of salty and sweet blended with mocha.
makes 24 cupcakes
1 recipe Chocolate cake (page 45)*
1 recipe Mocha Frosting
Topping: Caramel Drizzle, coarse sea salt, candy espresso beans
1. Prepare Chocolate Cake as directed.
2. Frost each cupcake with Mocha Frosting using metal tip no. 12 (See How-To, page 23.) Drizzle each cupcake with Caramel Drizzle; top each with about 1/8 tsp. sea salt and 1 espresso bean.
* Chocolate Cake
1 cup Dutch process cocoa
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
4 large eggs
2 ¾ cups all-purpose soft-wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tap salt
1 tsp. chocolate extract
Paper baking cups
Vegetable cooking Spray
1. Combine cocoa and 2 cups boiling water in a large heatproof bowl, stirring until blended and smooth; cool completely.
2. Beat butter with a mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
3. Combine flour and nest 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with cocoa mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in chocolate extract.
4. Place paper baking cups in 2 (12-cup) muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray; spoon batter into cups, filling two-thirds full.
5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely. Makes 24 cupcakes.
Mocha Frosting
1 cup butter, softened
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
¼ tsp. salt
2 tsp. coffee extract**
2 (16-oz) packages powdered sugar
1/3 cup whipping cream
1. Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with cream, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. Beat at high speed 2 minutes or until creamy. Makes about 5 cups.
**baker’s secret – If you’re dying to try this recipe but don’t have coffee extract in your pantry, you can dissolve 2 Tbsp. instant espresso in ¼ cup hot water as a substitution.
Caramel Drizzle
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup whipped cream
1. Cook butter and sugar in a 2-qt. heavy saucepan over high heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture is caramel-colored, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and slowly add cream, stirring constantly until blended.
2. Return to heat, and bring to a boil; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool. Makes about 1½ cups.
This Caramel-Mocha-Sea Salt cupcake recipe comes to from the same maker of the “Mother’s Day White Cake Cupcakes Recipe”, so if you like these recipes you’ll need Jan Moon’s Big Book of Cupcakes presented by Southern Living.
Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation
About Summer:
Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.
A few weeks ago, my husband made me a cheesecake from Paula Deen’s recipe book. He made the Chocolate Explosion Cheesecake Recipe and I fell in love with the chocolate ganache topping. More to the point, I am addicted to the ganache. I find myself making excuses to make more just so I can lick another bowl clean, it’s that good! Not only is it good but it’s super easy to make. The ganache is made in the microwave and has only two ingredients. Since it’s strawberry season, I decided my strawberries needed to be covered in ganache!
So here is the Chocolate Ganache Made in a Microwave Recipe
Ingredients:
6 squares of semisweet baking chocolate
4 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
Today I actually modified it a little bit. I used 1 Cup of semisweet chocolate chips and 4 Heaping Tablespoons of Heavy Whipping Cream and I didn’t notice a difference.
Directions:
Combine the chocolate and whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl and heat up for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between each 30 second interval, up to 1 minute. Use the ganache for dipping fruit, topping cheesecake, or serving over ice cream. When using on fruit or cheesecake, it may take a few minutes in the fridge to harden up, but it tastes great right away.
Oh and I feel I should mention, I had to eat about 20 strawberries before I captured the perfect photo.
If you have a few projects around the house you’ve been waiting to have fixed, or you want to get dad a few tools for father’s day then I have the deal for you. Craftsman is giving away 100,000 free drills from now until June 19th. When you purchase either a cordless 12-volt Craftsman Right Angle Impact Driver or a cordless 12-volt Craftsman Multi-toll (both of which are valued at $100.00) you will receive a free Craftsman 12-volt drill.
Craftsman Right Angle Impact Driver: A unique 90 degree head lets you get into tight corners when angling a drill or screwdriver is difficult, and its powerful design can take on tougher jobs than your average drill. It’s great for assembly of grills, patio furniture, swing sets and more. For moderate or heavy DIY, it tackles installation of garage door openers, staircases, dishwashers, decks and light fixtures, as well as repairing small engines on lawn mowers, tractors and boats, and much much more.
Craftsman Multi-tool: A 6-in-1 tool that can sand, cut, grind, grate, remove grout and much more. Features six various attachments to get the job done right. For use on surfaces such as drywall, wood, metal, plastic tile, masonry and porous concrete, it’s truly a weekend warrior.
Free Craftsman 12-volt Drill: A powerful drill that comes in a compact package. This 12-volt is ergonomically designed and engineered with advanced features, portability and power (195 in lbs of torque). A must-have every day drill for every tool box.
Free Drill is available while supplies last.
We’re going to be having a party this week. Vtech has sent us everything we need to throw a rocking baby shower. Now I’m not planning to have another baby but I know LOTS of moms, and I happen to know one in particular that’s going to have a baby and I thought of her when I agreed to throw this ‘Get Ready for Baby’ party. The Get Ready for Baby playdate is going to be tons of fun as we will get to explore four different Vtech Toys. One of which is this cute little Vtech Peek-At-Me Bunny.
He’s so cute, I can’t wait to open him. But before I start setting up the toys and decorating the house, I have to clean it. I’m not usually that big on making sure the house is really sparkly clean. We don’t have a lot of company very often, but when I’m planning a playdate with other moms and dads then I pay a little more attention to getting things cleaned. I get out the carpet cleaners, do a little tile cleaning, while I’m in the bathroom I clean the shower, the sink, and then I move on to my closet. You know, having a playdate or party every now and then ends up being really good for the house. The only thing I seem to have trouble with is the carpet on the stairs. I think it would be easier just to pay someone to do it. I am wondering if any of you have any experience with a good carpet cleaning service? Is there anyone that has done a really good job for you for a really great price?
I clean my house the very same way I write. I follow whatever just pops into my head and go with it. I’m very scatter brained and I’m pretty sure my writing shows that. I’m here and I’m there and, how do you guys keep up with me? That’s how I clean, I start in the room that needs it the most then I find myself folding clothes, then when I’m putting away the dish rags, I find myself cleaning the kitchen. I never finish anything. I guess that’s why it takes me a whole day to clean and I end up with an entire clean house before a party.
So are you like me, do you clean for an occasion or is your house always ready for company?
They say nothing in life is free, and there is quite a bit of truth to that statement, but there are ways to get really great values and Microsoft is offering some pretty sweet deals for Xbox 360 fans.
Students in need of a new computer are eligible for a free Xbox 360. If you are in high-school, college or some university and purchase a Windows PC priced at only $699 or more at a participating retailer then you will get a free Xbox 360 4G console. Choose the Windows PC that has what you need for school, you pick the size and features that suit your needs, at your price (at least 699) and then you get an Xbox 360 while supplies last. Students with an .edu email address can purchase a new PC through one of Microsoft’s participating retailers including Dell.com, HP.com or the Microsoft Store. Students will need to verify student status in order to purchase. Check your local retailer for specifics. Quantities are limited and end dates vary by retailer so shop early starting May 22, that was yesterday!
Another awesome deal is with Verizon and their new Windows 7 phone. I’m super excited about the phone finally, yes finally coming out on Verizon. We’re going to order our phone really soon, I need it for social media. My current smart phone is not that smart, I can’t wait to be able to upload directly from my phone to Facebook. Anyways, back to the really cool deal. If you’re with Verizon or thinking of switching to Verizon you may be eligible for a free Xbox 360 game. Starting May 26 on-line or in Verizon retail stores starting June 2 there is a special promo: for anyone who gets the HTC Trophy before July 15, they’ll get a free Xbox 360 console game (valued up to $60). You read that right, a free video game. Check out the Windows Phone Blog for more details on the offer. Windows Phones are now available on all four major carriers.
This week all week long is National Swimsuit Confidence Week. Last year was the first year for me to have swimsuit confidence. I received a swimsuit from Lands’ End and I LOVED it. I loved how it sucked me in everywhere and I think it made me look great, and I posted the photo of myself for all the world to see. Ok, just the few of you that come by and visit my blog. So when Lands’ End contacted me this year and asked me to participate in National Swimsuit Confidence Week I had to say yes.
Starting earlier today, Curvy Girl Guide hosted and will be hosting for the rest of the week a twitter chat with Lands’ End about swimsuit confidence. Not only are they hosting the conversation but they are also sharing their swimsuit photos along with me. Or rather, I’m posting mine along with theirs. See:
I picked out Women’s Regular All-Over Control Slender Grecian Swimsuit, and I think it makes me look taller and slimmer! Even though most of you may look at me and think I don’t have anything to worry about by showing my picture of myself in a swimsuit, and even though I did it once last year, and even though I even vlogged from the shower two weeks ago, I’m still very self conscious of how I look. It’s all about how each of us perceive ourselves and that’s why I’m really grateful to Lands End for hosting National Swimsuit Confidence Week. They are reminding us all that it doesn’t matter what shape our body is. It’s how we hold ourselves up and what we think of ourselves that matters. The 21 women form Curvy Girl Guide are all real women just like me of all different body shapes. All of them are proudly sporting their Lands’ End swimwear helping to build swimsuit confidence for women this summer at the beach and I’m now ready to confidently join them!
Lands’ End makes a great quality bathing suit with the ability to hold you in in all the right places, and since I have a bathing suit from last year too, I can tell you that they hold up to the test of time.
You all have the opportunity to participate in National Swimsuit Confidence Week too, and you can even win some very cool prizes.
To Participate:
Join in the conversation on twitter at #landsend from noon until 1:00 p.m. CDST, where you can find swimsuit fit tips, inspiration from real women and swimsuit giveaways. Also for a chance to win a $500.00 Land’s End Gift Card get the Twibbon. To get the twibbon go to http://twibbon.com/join/I-Have-Swimsuit-Confidence-2 and display the “I have swimsuit confidence!” Twibbon on your Twitter profile photo. Send a tweet to @LandsEndPR proclaiming “I have swimsuit confidence!” #landsend for a chance to be entered to win a $500 Lands’ End gift card. The winner will be announced May 27.
Schedule:
Date Topic Participants
5/23 Swimsuit Coverage @LandsEndPR, @5minutesformom
5/24 Swimsuit Trends for Real Women @LandsEndPR, @MomSpark
5/25 Swim Slenderizers @LandsEndPR, @CurvyGirlGuide
5/26 Bring Your Confidence to the Beach @LandsEndPR, @bookieboo
5/27 Ultimate Swimsuit Confidence Celebration @LandsEndPR, @MomTalkRadio
Join the movement. Show off your own swimsuit confidence by posting a photo in a 2011 Lands’ End Swimsuit. Post the photo on May 23rd 2011 or anytime this week to inspire others to post their photo. You can post it on Facebook, your blog, or just to twitter. Be sure to tag @LandsEndPR #LandsEnd, or the Lands End Facebook Page.
100.00 Gift Card to Lands’ End to use for your own Swimsuit Confidence!
Tell what kind of swimsuit you feel comfortable wearing out in public.
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig, stumble, like or share on Facebook (or use any of the share options listed below)
Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post & #LandsEnd
Celebrate National Swimsuit Confidence Week Lands’ End #Giveaway @MomStart http://bit.ly/incv9C #LandsEnd
Or Tweet
Enter to Win 100.00 Gift Card to Lands’ End @MomStart #Giveaway http://bit.ly/incv9C #LandsEnd
This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.
Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation
