Ham Day !!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was Ham Day-
My niece and her husband came to dinner
and I made a yummy Spiral Cut Ham-
and it was DELISH!

Needless to say I have a ton of leftover ham.

When I was at the supermarket this afternoon I bought a bag of split peas...to make soup with some of my leftover ham!

Then I happen to land on Lisa's blog~

The Cutting Edge of Ordinary .

Lisa made Ham &

Navy Bean Soup.

When I saw her photo I knew I had to have some.

So I got to work.

I followed her recipe and then a

dded a few cut up potatoes

and some diced up kale that was in my fridge.

Then weather is getting colder and we are expecting some snow

and this soup really hit the spot.

Thank you Lisa- it was a hit!

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Ham & Navy Bean Soup

taken from "The Cutting Edge of Ordinary"

6 - 8 cups of chicken stock (or broth)
3 medium carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced

1 ham bone
1 pound navy beans, rinsed and soaked over night.
Leftover ham, cut into bit size pieces.

In a large pot bring the chicken stock, carrots, celery and the ham bone to a boil then reduce to a simmer.

Add in the navy beans and simmer about 2 hours, or

until beans are tender. I also added some Mrs. Dash, fresh parsley, a bay leaf and some cracked black pepper while it cooked. Take out the ham bone. If you have a big dog in the neighborhood I would save it as a nice treat. Since my pup is only 12 pounds and the ham bone weighs as much as him, I had to toss mine since there wasn't a big pooch around. Add the ham during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Pulse Kick N’ Go Nitrous Scooter Giveaway

Pulse Kick N’ Go Nitrous Scooter



Hurry up and head over to 5 Minutes for Moms



before you miss your chance at this really cool giveaway!
The winner will be drawn randomly and they will announce the winner Monday, December 1st.
Go here for Giveaway Rules

Classic Cranberry Bread

CLASSIC CRANBERRY BREAD

recipe from: Ocean Spray

• 2 cups flour
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 3/4 cup orange juice
  
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
  
• 2 tablespoons shortening
  
• 1 egg, well beaten
  
• 1 1/2 cups Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries, coarsely chopped
  
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in orange juice, orange peel, shortening and egg. Mix until well blended. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan.

Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Wrap and store overnight. Makes 1 loaf (16 slices).

Catch - Up Post

I know it seems like I haven't been cooking -since I've only been posting these awesome giveaways that I keep finding....BUT the truth is that my son arrived from Japan 2 days ago and I have been a busy beaver!

I tried to cook some different meals ahead of time so that if we got side tracked we could still eat! Good thinking don't you think?

Well lets see now...

I made some stuffed peppers like I did in another post except I used mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar!

I made another "everything" beef soup. Its always great on a cold night- we ate that one right away!

I made some spinach -mushroom lasagna rolls...they came delish!

I made a more traditional lasagna and put it in the freezer- in case I get unexpected company and I have to feed them!


I made a yummy Broccoli-Cheddar Casserole and that was a hit too! I found the recipe at Baking and Beyond-
check it out your family will love it!
As you can see I forgot to take pictures before the hungry crew attacked the food so
I had to take pictures of what little scraps they left behind!



I found these really delicious Ranch Chicken Wonton Cups over at I heart food 4 thought.
They were simple and really really good- its hard not to eat them all up before you even serve your company!


I attempted to make Cupcake Bites...
While I was at Good Eats'n Sweets I got inspired!
Now Jaime made these look easy but they are not easy at all !

I didnt attempt to make them into lolly-pops because I had nowhere to store them- so bites they were. My family loved them!


My next project was Snickerdoodles.
Now Tanya at Sunday Baker
made gorgeous perfectly shaped Snickerdoodles...I just assumed that if I got all the same ingredients and did what she said to do- mine would look like hers did.
Mind you Tanya said I quote" these are no-brainers".
Well let me tell you-they weren't and they don't look like hers!
They taste yummy but they are too flat and a bit too chewy!
I need a 911 rescue and I have to try it again!
Sorry Tanya!






My last project was a simple batch of Almond Butter Spritz cookies that Tanya inspired me to make... well I have always had trouble with spritz cookies- they always stick in the darn press and dont come out as perfect as everyone elses!

Poo...today was no different!

They stuck to the press and got too brown on the edges...good thing my kids were looking for snacks- I sold themright away!

They wont be on my Christmas cookie tray!

Another 911 rescue needed here!



Im not discouraged no matter how bad things sound.

Tomorrow is a big cooking day- company coming and I know Ill have some success pictures to share with you .
In the meantime back to the drawing board with the cookies.

I think I might start making my old faithful cookies"biscotti".

They always come out perfect!

Win a $100.00 Gift Card to Sears

With holiday shopping on the mind, Sears and Kmart are ready to help you make this holiday shopping season the easiest yet!



Hurry over to 5 Minutes for Mom and check out this great giveaway.


Entries are open from Thursday, November 13th thru Friday,

November 28th at 12pm EST. The winners will be drawn randomly and will announced Monday, December 1st.

WOW!!!!!.....HP Photosmart D5460 Printer GIVEAWAY!

Rush right over to 5 Minutes for Mom for all the details...

The HP Photosmart D5460 Printer is an easy-to-use everyday home printer that provides an effortless way for the whole family to print at an affordable price.

Check out these features:

• Print documents at speeds up to 33 pages per minute in black and 31 in color
• Get instantly dry, smudge-resistant photos when using HP Vivera ink and Advanced Photo Paper
• Make your photos last for generations when using HP Advanced Photo Paper
• Print directly on CDs and DVDs: add your own photos and text
• Skip the PC: view, edit, and print using only a memory card and the 1.5″ color display
• Save money by replacing each ink cartridge separately as needed
• Get all of this for just $79

Entries are open from Wednesday, November 19th thru Friday, November 28th at 12pm EST.The winner will be drawn randomly and they will announce the winner Monday, December 1st.

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