Tuesday, November 29, 2011

{ Shirley J Seasonings Winner }

Thank you all who entered and by all means, if you didn't win the giveaway, do not let that stop you from trying out the Shirley J products, they are very good :)


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I used Random.org and the winner is:

#5 - Ashley

Congratulations Ashley, I will be contacting you shortly :)

{ Moon Dough Review }

My children loved to play with play dough....but as a mother it literally gave me chills up the spine the minute that nasty stuff used to come out.  Eventually I knew that it would everywhere and by everywhere, I mean EVERY.WHERE.

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As they got older I started diverting their attention from that stuff to other things figuring that at least I wouldn't have to worry about the clean up.

Then Moon Dough came out and Nicholas practically begged me for some to try, I put it off as long as I could but then caved, you know....the whole puppy eyes look and pouty lip kinda thing.

I bought it for him and he loved it and I was surprised that the clean up was much easier than play dough.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the wonderful folks over at Child's Play Communications and asked if I would be willing to try out the new and improved Moon Dough.  Here is what they said:


This odor-free dough now features a better consistency for even more molding fun! We would love for you to check out the new and improved Moon Dough (ages 3 and up) by reviewing the Moon Dough Push N’ Pop – which comes in an Ocean Pals set or Breakfast set.

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Let me tell you, this stuff is the best.  I only wish it had been around when Jasmine was a little one too.

It has no scent, it feels like sand but doesn't fall apart, it doesn't make a mess and I think for me the biggest thing was that it's SO light.  I went to pick up a big chunk of it and thought it would be heavy like play dough, but it was extremely light.

Nicholas had a BLAST with it and and even Jasmine who is 12 got in on the fun too....truth be told so did hubby and I LOL

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It comes with cool shapes to make different animals.  The set we got was the Ocean one, so the kids enjoyed making an Octopus and Turtle....

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He was in heaven for an hour or two and the best part.....when it was time to clean up, I didn't find a gazillion little crumbs and balls of dough stuck to my floor, table etc.

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On and one of the best things about it too, it doesn't dry up.  That's right....you can leave it out of the box or bag and it won't dry up.  Though I suggest keeping it in a ziploc baggie like I do just to keep it all together.

If you're thinking of a cool gift for little ones 3+ in age, that will provide them with hours of fun, you might want to consider the Moon Dough.

Thank you to Child's Play Communication for the box set provided for review.

Monday, November 28, 2011

{ Happy Homemaker Monday }

I am running so late this morning, these 4 days off with everyone at home just completely threw me for a loop. I have a house that is desperately needing tidying up and cleaning and I overslept this morning....which hasn't happened in like YEARS.

Anyway, hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, let's get right to it.



The weather in my neck of the woods:
Cold, I'm actually cold and had to put an extra blanket on the bed.  Love it though :)


Things that make me happy:  
Remembering my childhood, thinking about the time I spent with my greatgrandma.


Book I'm reading:
The Love Affair of an English Lord by Jillian Hunter


What's on my TV today:  
Hart of Dixie
Kirstie's Handmade Britain

On the menu for dinner:
Pepperoni Bread, sent in by one of my readers, I'm finally getting around to making it :)


On my To Do List:
Homeschooling
Housework
Christmas gifts


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars


In the craft basket:
Christmas Gifts....crochet, sewing, crafting, all sorts of goodies.


Looking forward to this week:
My hubby passing his PT test tomorrow and being able to enjoy a nice meal without worrying about his calories :)


Tips and Tricks:
So you're making biscuits and can't find the cutter.  Did you know that a mason jar lid will work just as well???  It gives you a little lip to hold on to and you can push the biscuit through :)


My favorite blog post this week:
I am SO far behind on blog reading and I need desperately to catch up with everyone, starting with my last week's Happy Homemaker and Slow Cooking posts.


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
A Cozy Kitchen...lots of great recipes and wonderful photography too :)


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

http://faculty.ashrosary.org/faculty/moody/Christmas07/ChristmasSoler/snowy_village2.jpg

 

Lesson learned the past few days:
That a marriage is only as good as you make it, that you need communication, that you need to sit down and express what you're feeling, what you're not liking.  My hubby and I hit a rough patch last week and for the first time in our marriage I honestly thought we were losing ground, but through prayer, tears and lots of communication, we got through it.


On my mind:
My husband's PT test tomorrow, please say a prayer for him.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2

Monday, November 21, 2011

{ Happy Homemaker Monday }

Good Morning everyone. Time for another Happy Homemaker Monday, hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their week :)



The weather in my neck of the woods:
Nice and cool, it's really making me excited for the holidays :)


Things that make me happy:  
The thought of Thanksgiving just around the corner.


Book I'm reading:
The Love Affair of an English Lord by Jillian Hunter


What's on my TV today:  
Hart of Dixie
Kirstie's Handmade Britain
 

On the menu for dinner:
Tomatillo and Cilantro Chicken Enchiladas


On my To Do List:

Homeschooling
Housework
Getting ready for Thanksgiving


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders

Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders


In the craft basket:
Ripple blanket
Personalized Candles
Mug Cozies


Looking forward to this week:
Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving


Tips and Tricks:
Did you know that a mason jar will fit into your blender?????  I didn't know it either, but Pinterest is like a fountain of information.  Apparently if you just screw the blade portion onto the mason jar where the lid fits, it works perfectly.  I'm going to have to try that.


My favorite blog post this week:
I didn't read any blogs last week, come to think of it, I don't think I have in the past two weeks.  Yikes.


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Likewise, haven't found anything new, but I really do miss blog hopping, I will try to find some time this afternoon for that :)


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):



Lesson learned the past few days:

That the holidays are only stressful if you make them that way.  There is no need to go ALL out, to put unnecessary expectations on yourself or others.


On my mind:
Thanksgiving


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
– Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Shirley J's Seasonings Review and Giveaway

I was recently contacted by the folks at Shirley J and asked if I would be interested in trying out their Beef Slow Cooker Seasoning.  Heck yeah!

So, I was asked to try it out in the kitchen, come up with some stuff and see how I like it.  I was also asked to do a giveaway and offer to my readers one of the Beef Slow Cooker Seasonings too.  I couldn't say no, could I?

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Let me start by telling you a little more about Shirley J.

Shirley J is a cooking company based in Orem, Utah and represents the marriage of two successful food product companies—Shirley J Foods and Dunford Bakery Products. Shirley J Foods was founded by food developer Don Smith, while Dunford Bakery Products had its founding in master baker, Doug Dunford. The two men worked side-by-side for years, servicing specialized segments of the commercial food service industry. Their products have been used for more than 30 years by master chefs and bakers in the most demanding commercial applications and have won the loyalty and praise of customers and professionals.
 

I sat and looked through the catalog and couldn't believe just how many wonderful products they have.  It was my first time hearing about Shirley J or trying one of their products and I'm so glad that I did.

Let me begin by telling you that the Beef Slow Cooker Seasoning is AMAZING!  Oh my word, does it smell good and taste delicious.

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Yummy recipes, wonderful products like Universal Sauce, Pizza and Pasta Seasoning, Dough Enhancer and many more, and you can even purchase kits like the Holiday Pizza Gift set or the Holiday Pasta Salad Gift Set.

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I set right to work, pulled out my country ribs and threw them in the slow cooker.  Here's what I did:

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Following the directions on the Beef Slow Cooker Seasoning, I mixed up the water and the seasoning....

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Placed a sliced onion into the bottom of the crockpot....then I put the ribs on top, and poured the seasoning over it.  Turned it on LOW and cooked it for 6 hours.  That's IT!

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If you could only smell these as they cook, that seasoning is so good.

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Fall off the bone ribs, amazing beef flavor.  My husband and kids loved it.....and so did I.

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I've also made Beef Stew using the same seasoning and it was equally delicious and to die for.  Honestly, if you're looking for a good Stew seasoning, you really do need to try Shirley J.

You can find more about it at their website Shirley J, or on Facebook, or Twitter, and even at their blog.


For the giveaway, it is open to US residents. 

Just leave me a comment and please make sure to include an email address where I can contact you.

The giveaway will run until next week Friday the 25th.  I will then draw a winner using Random.org.

Good Luck!