Bumble Collection Giveaway - Diaper Bag

Another great giveaway - this one is for a diaper bag by the Bumble Collection - http://welcometothemotherhood.blogspot.com/2009/01/bumble-collection-giveaway.html

Giveaway - Expectant Mom's

Breasting feeding 1-2-3- is having a great giveaway! This is a great chance to win a breast pump set from Breast Pumps Direct. You will receive the set, plus bonus prizes. Go to http://www.breastfeeding123.com/win-a-manual-breast-pump-bpa-free-bottles-nursing-pads-and-more/#comment-103784 to enter!

New Site! Extraordinary Mothers

A group of Extraordinary Mothers has come onto the scene. Go check out the site! http://www.ordinarymother.com/ There is a drawing for a Sak Bag! Let me know what you think - leave me a comment! Oh, don't forget to sign up for the forum, it should be fun!

Last Chance - FREE Book Download

Last chance, you have until 11:59 p.m. today to get your copy of Suze Orman's latest book, Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan, for FREE!

Go to http://www.oprah.com/article/money/personalfinance/pkgyourmoney/20081119_tows_bookdownload

WFMW - Free! A Whole Bottle of Shampoo

Free works for me and I hope it will work for you! Suave is giving away a whole bottle of shampoo today. So hurry and visit http://www.suave.com/nomics/index.html to request your free bottle.

Even if you do not use Suave, request a bottle and give it to someone less fortunate. I just may drop mine at the local nursing home - what a nice treat for the elderly ladies!

There are many opportunities to pass on little gifts to those less fortunate ... one is the toiletries you receive in your hotel room. So if you or someone you know travels alot, collect them and drop them off at your local nursing facility or to an elderly friend. They will be so appreciated!

Have you visited Shannons blog? She is a fantastic writer and her post are always entertaining! Just stop by http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/ for even more helpful ideas!

WFMW - Storing Leftovers

I no longer use containers to store leftovers. I just got tired of cleaning them. Since I cook every meal – I had plenty of icky containers to clean. It would have helped if we were better about eating leftovers – recently we have been better so less is tossed and less grows!

Instead of using containers, I use bags. I buy my bags in bulk. Ziploc has a commercial box of 250 bags gallon size double zip bags (about $21.00) and they last well over a year. I know it has cost me more than twenty one dollars a year washing all those containers! I use the bags for everything, liquids as well – using quality bags ensures they will not break. Just be sure the contents is cooled – warm is ok.

I use an empty three pound coffee can to “stand” the bag. You can cover the can with paper, fabric, contact paper, etc. to match your décor. Leave it in a place handy for everyday use.

I used to dread finding room for all the leftovers after holiday meals but not anymore. This storage method for leftovers makes cleaning the fridge a breeze and I tossed those hard to store containers which take up so much cabinet room.

Leave me a comment! and Follow Me! (shameless begging)

For more helpful ideas, please visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer - http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/.

WFMW - Crafty Tip, Folding Fabrics

I have lots of fabric. I like to keep mine in neat, folded in the same size stacks, in order of color. I made a cardboard template so all the fabric is folded the same. Any size you like, make the final folds around the template form and then slip it off and continue folding. All your folded fabrics will be the same size.

For more helpful ideas, please visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer - http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Chocolate-Expresso Snowcaps

These delicious (outstanding) chocolate-expresso snowcap cookies are from "Everyday Food Collectible Cookie Edition." by Martha Stewart. I made these last year, they were a hit and intend to add them to my cookie collection in every year to come.
Makes 18

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 teaspoons instant espresso
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup confectioners sugar, for coating
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, espresso, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well combined; mix in cooled chocolate. With mixer on low speed, gradually add dry ingredients; beat in milk just until combined. Flatten dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place confectioners' sugar into a medium bowl; working in batches, roll balls in sugar twice.
Place balls on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies have spread and coating is cracked, 12 to 14 minutes; cookies will still be soft to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/favorite-chocolate-espresso-snowcaps

There Really Is A Santa Claus! The Giveaway

You have until December 20, 2009! Have you seen this? I love this product! It is so special and will be treasured by your family in years to come. Give your child the chance to still believe.

Place Santa in your living room, delivering presents to your children. Create living proof there IS a Santa - and he was in your home. Go here to read more. http://www.icaughtsanta.com/

Now for the great news .. be one of the first 25 customers to receive a free photo from icaughtsanta.com. All you need to do is submit your iCaughtSanta photo by 12-20-08 and include “sleeplessinwisc” in the subject line.

Pass this along to all the Mom's you know. Hurry - its almost Christmas!

Please Read This Post - The Mother Letter Project

In Honor of Mothers Everywhere: The Mother Letter Project

What is a Mother Letter?

Simply stated, a Mother Letter is a letter from you, to another mother. You may share a story—no matter how raw or difficult. You may share your concerns or worries—no matter how foolish they may seem. You may share your wisdom—no matter how you came by it. Share your mother story; your Mother Letter. The only request? Start the letter “Dear Mother” and sign it (electronically, of course).

What's The Story?

For most of us, Christmas day of 2007 came and went. It was the typical American Christmas—gizmos, gadgets, whatnots, and an oversized helping of turkey. For one man, two days and a transatlantic flight later he stood in a small other-continental village regretfully pondering his extra helping of Christmas turkey and all of the materialism. I decided that things would be different in 2008.

This year, his wife and their extended families have decided to give a Christmas present to that little village. We want to spread our wealth, meager as it may be. We have decided to create presents for each other and donate the difference to their friends in the small village.

And here is where you come in.

Danny is creating his wife’s Christmas present-the Mother Letter Project. Simply stated, he is collecting a series of “open letters” from mothers, to mothers. Share your stories—no matter how raw or difficult. Share you concerns—no matter how foolish they may seem. Share your wisdom—no matter how you came by it. Share your mother story. The only request? Start the letter “Dear Mother” and sign it. Danny will compile all of the letters in a Christmas book for his wife. If you share a letter here or by email (motherletter@gmail.com) before Christmas, you'll get your own copy of all the letters. Just include your email address by which he can contact you. This you may share as you please – an opportunity to create for Christmas, Mothers Day or her Birthday.

You may submit your Mother Letter here, at http://www.motherletter.blogspot.com/ or email it to motherletter@gmail.com

Please do this favor to me - please post any or all of this post on your blog – to spread the word. This could become something very wonderful for all Mother’s. Please feel free to use the bottom and post it on your blog as well.

Holiday Mail for Heros

Please disregard the previous post (deleted) regarding letters to our soldiers. This is the correct information:

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers and veterans both in the United States and abroad.Holiday Mail for Heroes, which began Tuesday, Veterans Day, is a follow-up to the 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of more than 600,000 cards to hospitalized servicemembers. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded servicemembers but also veterans and their families. The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail."As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. "The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform."Holiday cards should be mailed to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

For complete info, please go to http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/

Cherry Cola Salad

2 sml pkgs cherry jello
1 c hot water
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can crushed pineapple, well drained
1 can diet Coke
1 c chopped pecans

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate to set; can be made a day ahead of time.

Christmas Morning Breakfast - French Toast

Ingredients:
Bread (thick sliced preferred)
2 cups egg nog
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs, beaten
Cinnamon
Butter
Fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, bananas or blueberries (or a combination of) and or maple syrup
Powdered sugar

Instructions:
Whisk together egg nog, milk and eggs. Dip bread in egg mixture, sprinkle with cinnamon. Grill on hot, buttered griddle, until golden brown on each side. Top with fruit and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Or serve with butter and maple syrup.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=WQ26144948

Heirloom Recipes

I discovered a new set of cookbooks yesterday while watching the Morning Blend (a local magazine show here in WI). These cookbooks were developed by two sisters, the Brass sisters, who collected heirloom recipes from anywhere from the actual cook to estate sales. I plan to purchase at least one of these books as their recipes sounds outstanding.
For more info, visit http://www.thebrasssisters.com/.

Cookie Cookbooks - Free!

Go here http://www.we-energies.com/recipes/ for the motherload of cookie recipes. Some of the best Christmas cookies secrets can be found in these books. Tried and true recipes. They are .pdf files so you can save the entire book on your pc. Be sure to check out the cookbooks of past Christmas' and seasonal recipes as well.

Pumpkin Shake

Pumpkin recipes are everywhere these days. This would be a hit to go with or without dessert on Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Shake

Ingredients:
2 oz. Modern Spirits Pumpkin Pie vodka
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
½ oz. simple syrup
Splash of orange liqueur
3 large ice cubes

1. Combine in blender and pulse until smooth.
2. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Modern Spirits Pumpkin Pie vodka available online at mondoliquor.com. For more seasonal cocktail recipes, go to modernspiritsvodka.com

WFMW - Cooking With Wine

I love to cook with wine. Many recipes call for a small amount of wine, considerably smaller than a full bottle, and then I have to drink the rest.

If I want to remain in good enough condition to finish what I am cooking :-) I use one of the 4 packers of wine I stock for this very purpose. You can find wine products such as these in Merlot, White Merlot, Chardonnay (preferred for cooking with white wine) to name a few. They are a perfect size for those cooking with wine recipes.

For more helpful ideas, please visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer - http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Chicken Scaloppine

4 tablespoons butter, divided
6 chicken breasts, flat
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon mix
1 salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup green onions, thin sliced
1/4 cup white wine
1/3 cup whipping cream
grated fresh parmesan cheese

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in large non stick frypan. Saute mushrooms until tender and any liquid has evaporated; remove from pan; set aside. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in same frypan. Saute chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown and cooked through; remove from pan; set aside. Add onions to pan; saute until tender. Add stock, wine and bouillon mix to pan. Bring to boil. Cook and stir until mixture is reduced by half. Add cream to pan. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return mushrooms and chicken to sauce in pan. Reheat to serving temperature.

Crab Dip

2 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese
1/2 c miracle whip or mayo
1/4 c dry white wine
1/2 tsp worchestershire sauce
sprinkling of garlic powder
sprinkling of dried chives or chopped green onions
1 sml jar sliced pimento
1 (8oz) pkg crabmeat

Mix first few ingredients well. Stir in last 2 gently. Bake 350 deg for 20 minutes. Serve with crackers.