Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

How to steel or hone your knives and a giveaway!

A really great blog post on sharpening and honing your knives and a really "SHARP" giveaway!!!

Just through regular use of your knives, the edge of the blade can “roll.” While your knife may be sharp, the edge might not be pointing straight. Steeling or honing your knife will realign the edge.

Hurry over to Steamy Kitchen Modern Asian

Check out these really awesome knives from- New West Knifeworks- you get to choose which knife you want!
New West Knifeworks is giving a couple of lucky winners a knife of their choice.





On November 30th, they will pick TWO random commenters - and they will receive the knife they’ve chosen.

Hurry up time is running out!

Helenes Dreams Etsy Giveaway

I stumbled across a wonderful giveaway in my travels that I have to share with you-
The Giveaway has posted this really awesome event that will end soon-your choice of Oregon Sunset earrings or Earth and Sky earrings from Helenes Dreams!



If you hurry over to The Giveaway you can meet the artist- Helene Sanderson!
What a great gift these gorgeous earring would make!

KitchenAid Giveaway!!! at "My Wooden Spoon"

Hi Everyone!
I found a GREAT blog doing an AMAZING giveaway! :)

Have you ever wanted an Immersion Blender, a Food Processor, or a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer? That would be great right? Well then you better head on over to My Wooden Spoon and enter her giveaway!
She will be giving one of these amazing prizes to a very lucky winner for Christmas! :)
So what are you waiting for? Hurry Up!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways at Thoughts from the Mrs.

This is a great story that shares the true spirit of Christmas .
If you think you would enjoy something like that , to share with your family- this is the giveaway for you to enter.

Cole Family Christmas is a book based on a true story. It's a story that was shared with the author (Jennifer) by her Grandmother-in-law (Hazel).
Jennifer thought it was such a great story and wanted to preserve it and share the story with everyone.
The entire family pitched in and helped with everything from research to design and now this beautiful story is available for all to share.

Now, to enter and win this GREAT family book,
just see the official rules for the contest
and then leave them a comment.

Another Free Style Soup Day

The weather is rainy and damp-although it really is not cold!
For some reason I was desiring soup...soooooooooo I got to cooking!




Well as usual I don't use recipes- I sort of create as I go along.
I started dicing onions and pretty soon I was making a soup very similar to the one I made the other day - you might remember from a previous post.
The only difference is that I used spinach today- I added barley and some tomato paste.
I also added a can of beans and some green beans.
The soup was chock full of goodies and tasted delicious.


Last minute I decided to make some quick bread dough - I thought the soup could use some fresh baked rolls.


It was a hit and everyone was happy- even my son-since I knew he would not dare try my soup I made him a pizza.

Get the Bean-Giveaway-Holiday Blend

Time for a Limited Edition Holiday Blends giveaway at Get the Bean...

IF YOU WANT TO WIN 1 LB OF GOURMET COFFEE OR TEA JUST RUSH RIGHT OVER THERE AND CHECK OUT THE RULES TO ENTER!

Christmas Giveaway 2008 Wonder-Full Balm

5 Minutes for Mom is giving away one Wonder-Full Balm.

This is Wonder-Full Balm by Mama Mio. It is intense moisture for parched places.

You can use it on your lips, heels, elbows, knees, hands, ANYWHERE.

It can even help to heal little burns.
Nine natural oils in a beeswax base form a solid oil that melts in contact with your skin, creating rich, intense moisture.

Hurry over to there site "click here"to read the rules so you can enter the contest too!

Really Easy-Yummy-Stuffed Peppers

I don’t usually measure when I cook.
These are the ingredients I used to make these stuffed peppers …


4 Peppers
Ground Turkey about 8 oz.
Onions 1 diced
Scallions 2 diced
Garlic 2 cloves chopped
Rice about 1 cup
Tomato paste (1 tbsp)
Parmesan cheese about a tbsp
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté the onions, scallions and garlic
Then add turkey and sauté until meat is no longer pink.

Add 1 tbsp of tomato paste and then about 1 cup of rice
Add some parmesan cheese.
Salt and Pepper
Wash and clean the peppers ( I made enough for 4)
Stuff the peppers with the mixture and then pour
1 cup of tomato puree over the peppers

Cover and cook for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees- until the peppers are tender.
Uncover- sprinkle with shredded cheese- any kind you like- I had cheddar so that’s what I used.

These peppers are so delicious and really easy to make.
They are also really great leftover.

Mrs. Goodbee Talking Dollhouse Giveaway

Caring Corners, where caring kids live and grow! Using helpful hints, playful prompts, silly songs, and sound, Mrs. Goodbee Talking Dollhouse nurtures and inspires positive behavior every day.

With twelve adorable rooms to explore and plenty of interactive surprises, there are endless opportunities to practice caring, sharing, and preparing for important, age-appropriate responsibilities.
Two children can play together, as the house unfolds to six rooms on each side--and then folds back for easy storage! Over 400 activities, songs, words, and sounds! Includes girl, baby and doggy.

Rush right over to 5 Minutes for Mom and you will find all the info you need to enter this great giveaway.

WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT TO PUT UNDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE.....

Win Wall-E from 5 minutes for Mom

This is too exciting!!!

Sure to be on most children’s wish lists this holiday season,

Disney Pixar’s box office favorite, WALL•E ,

is hitting store shelves on November 18th.

5 Minutes for Moms Christmas Giveaway is giving away two copies of the 3-Disc standard definition DVD Version of WALL•E to give away, which includes the “DisneyFile” Digital Copy which will allow viewers to enjoy Wall•E via a computer laptop or other portable device.

The Triple Disc DVD is priced at $39.99 (U.S.) and $46.99 (Canada).

The winner will be drawn randomly and will be announced the winner Monday, December 1st.

If you go to 5minutes forMom you will find all the rules for entering.

Hurry up- time is running out!

To Die For Chocolate Cake

I had to create dessert tonight before my family revolted!

Last night there was no dessert in the house and they were climbing the walls

-sooooo I deceided to make a simple yellow cake with chocolate icing!

Once the cake was done...I started thinking about Ganache...oh how I love ganache!

The simple little cake would taste so much better with deep dark rich ganache on it. Sooooooo..... I made it.

Of course I had helpers...trying to lick utensils that I might put down!!!!

Begging for a taste ...repeatedly!!!

They were making me nuts.

I finally was able to finish and I have to say it came delish!

They loved it - and if they don't eat it too fast it should keep them happy for a day or two!

Now I have to think of the next treat! Any suggestions?

5 Minutes for Mom Giveaway

Christmas is coming!

Need some shopping ideas?

Want to win some great prizes?

Sudz N Bubbles

is the new Christmas Giveaway at

5 Minutes for Mom today.

Hurry over and check it out...these soaps are the coolest!

Giveaways begin Thursday, November 6th, 2008 and continue until Tuesday, November 25th, 2008.
Entries for all giveaways will be closed Friday, November 28th at 12pm EST.
Winners will be drawn randomly and we will announce the winners Monday, December 1st.

Sausage, Swiss Chard and Pasta Soup

It cold, windy and nasty outside and I thought soup was the perfect choice!
This was quick and easy and so comfy!

Sausage, Swiss Chard, and Pasta Soup

6 Italian Seasoned Turkey sausage, chopped

4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, un-drained

4 cups coarsely chopped Swiss Chard

½ cup of ditelini pasta
½ onion diced
3 scallions diced

Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat.

Sauté onions and scallions.
Add sausage to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add chicken broth and diced tomatoes; bring to a boil over high heat.
Stir in the Swiss chard.

Reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes or until the kale is tender.

Stir in pasta, and cook until tender.

Serve with Crusty Bread.
Yield: 4 servings

HOLIDAY COOKING BLOGGER STYLE

Well that time of year has finally come again...

Baking and freezing for Christmas.

I love making biscotti...and everyone always looks for my biscotti!

There are a few recipes that I make every year-tried and true. There are traditional recipes that I make every year - then there are a few new experimental cookies that I try. Some make it to the annual list and some we never see again!

Kathryn at OVERWHELMED WITH JOY is having her 3rd annual big Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style recipe exchange.

Dig up your holiday recipes and start posting and sharing. Rush right over to Katheryns site and join the fun.Happy Baking!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Festive Nutella Biscotti

This festive chocolate-hazelnut flavored biscotti (thanks to the Nutella) has a very festive look with the green pistachios and the red cranberries. Dee-lish!Makes about 48

4 large eggs, divided

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup Nutella, divided

1 cup green unsalted pistachios, shelled

1/3 cup dried cranberries

2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons boiling water

Pre-heat oven to 350 F.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

In large mixing bowl, beat together 3 eggs, 1 egg yolk (reserve extra white) and 1 cup granulated sugar until well mixed.

Add 3/4 cup Nutella; mix well. Stir in pistachios and dried cranberries.

Gently stir in flour, salt and baking powder.

Divide dough in half and form into two 12 x 2-inch logs on prepared baking sheet.

Brush logs with remaining egg white and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.

Bake for 25 minutes, rotating baking sheet once after 15 minutes to ensure even baking.

Turn oven down to 300 F.

Remove logs from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

While warm, cut logs width-wise on slight diagonal to form 1/2-inch-wide strips. Lay on sides on baking sheet. Bake cookies for another 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from baking sheet.

When cool, in a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup Nutella, powdered sugar and boiling water until smooth.

Drizzle glaze over cookies with fork or dip one end of each cookie into glaze. Dry at room temperature for at least 1 hour to set the glaze.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For those not interested in the cranberry version I noticed that there is a simple Nutella Biscotti recipe here

on the Baking Bites website.

ENJOY!

New Weekly Giveaway at Get The Bean

Hurry over to Get The Bean...TO WIN 1 LB OF GOURMET COFFEE OR TEA .

Get The Bean has some of the finest organically grown coffee beans in the world. Fresh roasted, made to order and delivered right to your doorstep.

I can almost taste it!

Christmas Giveaway 2008

5 Minutes for Mom is holding a GIANT giveaway

for the month of November.

Hurry over to their site and read all about it.

Free Cook Book Offer

Enter to win an autographed copy of :

The Native Foods Restaurant Cookbook

at PETA Prime

Now is your chance to win this fantastic cookbook. Just fill out their form by November 24, and they will announce the lucky winner on November 25!

Hurry Over there time is running out!

MY POTATO ADVENTURE

This is my entry for the Cooking with Alicia & Annie Blog Event
for November! (deadline for submissions November 30th) .

I am also entering this in the Potato Ho Down being hosted by Baking Delights on November 19th.

Potato Cakes

from Alicias site...

2 cups mashed potatoes
2 tbsp flour
sprinkle of parsley
2 eggs
1 tsp onions chopped

Instructions:
Mix all together and fry in in skillet over low heat in a little oil or butter.

You could make these as thick as you want, I suppose.
Submitted by Jay

*NOTE:I altered these a bit.
I added parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.Once they were mixed I shaped them into cylinders and rolled them in egg then seasoned bread crumbs. I arranged them in a casserole dish that I sprayed with cooking spray. I also sprayed the potato cakes then put them into a 350* degree oven for about an hour. They came a little lighter since they were not fried and the outer crust was still golden.

Delicious!

Gotta love a good potatoe!

Bountiful Container giveaway...

Fern from Life on the Balcony is having a really fun contest.

It’s super easy to participate in this contest. All you have to do is comment on a post. Any post. For the next two weeks (until November 17th at midnight Pacific time).

The winner will receive a copy of McGee & Stuckey’s excellent book, Bountiful Container. He or she will also receive all of the seeds needed (lavender, mint, pansy, and thyme) to complete a project from the book called “Lavender Lady,” AND a natural cotton tote featuring the lavender drawing shown on the seed packet above. The seeds and tote are courtesy of Botanical Interests seed company.

Rush right over there and check out her wonderful blog and this fun giveaway!

Discover under-appreciated blogs...

Chuck Westbrook’s Blog has a really great idea and you can be part of it...
Hurry over there and check it out.

"There is a simple way to discover under-appreciated blogs and help them reach the audience they deserve. In fact, with no special effort and in one fell swoop, you can now find these sites and reward the creator in a powerful way."

Cupcake Recipe Contest: Our Sweet Solar System at National Geographic

Hurry over to National Geographic for the rules to this cool contest...

The Life,Lightly Salted Giveaway ends Friday Nov. 7th...Hurry up and enter!

Michele from Life,Lightly Salted is giving away a 7 ounce Almond Biscotti soy candle from her favorite candle lady, Janine .

It smells absolutely delicious!

It has a sweet toasted almond cookie fragrance with a hint of buttery vanilla.

Janine is the owner/operator/scent wizard of Things That Make Scents in South Jersey. But wait… Janine has also thrown in a $25 gift certificate to the lucky winner!

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment telling Michele what your favorite candle scent is. Deadline for entering the giveaway will be Friday, November 7th, 2008.

For an extra chance to win and to promote Things That Make Scents just mention this giveaway on your blog and let her know that you linked back to her site.

I Hope You Voted!

I also made some cupcakes ...

Yellow cupcakes with Yellow Buttercream Icing

The icing was a little loose and a bit grainy. Not my best cupcake but the peanut gallery loved them!

Sunday Baker has another FABULOUS giveaway!

Tanya at Sunday Baker is holding another FABULOUS giveaway!

"What's more fun than inviting our kids into the kitchen for holiday cooking? And what good is inviting them to join you if they don't have an adorable apron to wear while doing so?" Tanya found this talented Etsy shop owner that makes the cutest aprons for children, both boys and girls.

They are very well made and SO CUTE! The best part is that you can win one, and just in time for the holidays.

The chosen winner will get to pick an apron from her Etsy shop found here: Stitchygirl52

If you want to take a stab at winning this great giveaway, here's what to do:

In the comments section, leave a note telling Tanya about an "unexpected" blessing you are thankful for this year.

This giveaway fun will end this Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.

At that time she will announce the randomly chosen winner for the apron.

Mention these games on your blog or to a friend and email Tanya about it and

she will put your name in TWO more times for getting the word out!

Hurry up because Tuesday is almost here!

Remembering My Dad...

Since today is All Souls Day...
I wanted to take a moment to remember my Dad.


He has been gone for 6 years , but I feel him with me always.
He wrote me a poem in Italian that I thought I would share.


For those who don't speak Italian...I'm sorry but I don't have the translation. Besides -some times you lose the true meaning in the translation.

Thank you Daddy...I love you and I miss you.

"Alla Mia Susanna"

A te,
dolce creatura,
che un giorno gia lontano
all’alba mia apparisti
e desti tanta luce
e poi tanto calore
a tutti I giorni mei.

A te,
voglio cantare
con tanta tenerezza
la mia canzon d’amore.

A te,
piccolo fiore
che con la tua fragranza
profumi tutta l’aria
che il cuore mio respire.

A te,
che qual’usigunolo
canti le melodie
che cullan la mia mente
e dolcemente chiudono
a sera, quegl’occhi miei si’stanchi.

A te,
bambina mia
tenero fior,gentile e delicato,
voglio ripetere
quell’accorato canto
che sempre dice amore
e che senz’ali vola
al nido che tu tiene
nel cuore tuo fanciullo.

A te,
voglio ripetere
da mane a sera
di giorno e poi di notte
che tenero e l’amor
che porto in cor per te.

Per te,
la tenerezza
che sento dentro me
scorre tranquilla e placida
qual rivolo di monte.

Per te,
carezza dei miei occhi
un sentimento splendido
si’caldo, come il sole
da vita e da speranza
all’esser mio cadente.

Per te,
io vivo e sento
in tutte le mia membra
la tiepida carezza
che come caldo vento
da vita e da ristoro
ai giorni del mio inverno.

Io t’amo, t’amo tanto
O piccolo fior mio…

Quest’e’il mio dolce canto
che volo senza l’ali
al cuore tuo tremante.