Friday, November 21, 2008

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!!!!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

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!


Monday, November 17, 2008

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!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

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 t
hat 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








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








Friday, November 14, 2008

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!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

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.....

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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!






Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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?

is the new Christmas Giveaway at
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.

Monday, November 10, 2008

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

Sunday, November 9, 2008

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!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

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!

Friday, November 7, 2008

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
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!