{ Lucky Leaf Product Review }

You all know that I love cooking but I'm not above taking shortcuts in the kitchen, especially if I'm cooking for a big crowd, or sick or having a busy day.

When I do take the shortcuts, there are a few products that I always count on, I know they're good and I know they will make my dishes taste as if I've made everything from scratch.....one of those are the Lucky Leaf Pie Fillings.

Imagine my surprise when I was contacted by the wonderful folks at Lucky Leaf asking if I would be interested in trying their products. Absolutely.

I received a box with some samples, which included the dark blue tablecloth, some red paper plates and those adorable star flag napkins, I also received a can of Premium Apple, a can of Premium Blueberry and a can of Premium Cherry Lucky Leaf Pie Filling and two recipes to choose from – Lucky Leaf U.S.A Flag Cake and Angel Food Patriotic Delight!

As always, I love using Lucky Leaf Pie Filling and I chose to make the U.S.A Flag Cake which is always a tradition for us on the 4th of July.

I usually make mine using fresh strawberries and blueberries and have never thought of using the pie filling, but Lordy, it was SO good. I made a 13x9 inch cake and within 3 hours it was gone, not a crumb left and there were even some fights over who got the last pieces LOL

So if you love pies but don't always have the time to make everything from scratch, you can rest assured that the Lucky Leaf Pie Fillings are delicious.

Lucky Leaf provided me with a sample of their products, at no cost to me and information to review. All opinions are my own.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday }

<a href="http://familycorner.blogspot.com" title="hhm by jasnicmommy, on Flickr"><img width="150" alt="hhm" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4452676258_fbde55c90f_m.jpg" width ="200" height="150" /></a>

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Would you be surprised if I said it's hot? No? Well then I will say it again, it's really hot.


Things that make me happy:
Smelling the ocean


Book I'm reading:
A few books for review


What I'm enjoying on TV:
The Gates
Ghost Stories
The Cazalets


On the menu for dinner:
Chicken and Italian Sausage Ragu


On my To Do List:
Tons of laundry to fold and put away


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
While I'm on vacation this month I haven't tried anything new, but I have a few to try this coming week.

In the craft basket:

Folk Dolls

Looking forward to this week:
The last few days with my family before they return home on Thursday


Tips and Tricks:
I have none this week


My favorite blog post this week:
No blog reading last week


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to read anything


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

Lesson learned the past few days:
To have patience, lots of it, because when traveling long distances with little ones who get bored and irritated and fight with each other, it's crucial.


On my mind:
Nothing important, nothing stressful, just relaxing.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

{ Just checking in }

Not even sure how many of you are still out there reading my blog, because I've been absolutely dreadful at keeping it updated.

But on the off chance that someone is still lurking around and reading or wondering where I've disappeared to, I'm checking in and saying hi.

It's been so hot here, the temperatures have been staying between 106-113 degrees, it's just scorching so when we're not traveling or visiting anything, we're in the house, in the nice cool air conditioner. Talking, laughing until our stomachs hurt, watching movies, playing games etc.

It's been fun. A LOT of fun.

The kids have been enjoying the pool, as all kids do, so I thought I would share some quick pictures for you to see.

There's been plenty of watermelon and high consumption of it too, it's juicy, it's sweet and I happen to believe that no other fruit is as tasty on a hot summer day.



Tiffany enjoying her watermelon in the pool


Colby enjoying his too but making sure that it is safe, the whole time his arm was way above the water with the slice of watermelon in the air LOL


Jasmine loves the water, this child could stay in the pool all day long.




I think this one perfectly depicts the day to day here, lazy, sunny and fun.


I love this one I got of Tiffany coming out of the water, so glad I was able to capture this moment.


The two girls coming up for air


This adorable little face, I can't get over how much he looks like my brother.


My baby boy enjoying his pool time.


Pool time in Arizona means wearing caps and shirts because 5 minutes straight in that sun and you have a nasty sunburn.

Thursday early morning we are heading to California, to Disneyland, we are so excited, for me at least it's been a dream since I was a child and to be able to fulfill it is just a blessing. I can't wait to be there and take photos and share everything with you.

I also have a ton of reviews and giveaways coming up, but those will be up end of next week so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, you can enter the Personalized Baby Burp Cloth Giveaway below, so far there are only 4 entries. Even if you don't have a little one of your own, be sure to pass it on to any friends or family members with little ones.

I'm off to spend more time with the family, I hope you're all having a wonderful summer and staying cool.

{ Personalized Burp Cloth Giveaway }

I was recently contacted by Joy of Joys of Thread, and asked if I would giveaway one of her Personalized Burp Cloths.

I love helping out fellow bloggers especially those who make handmade items, so I immediately said yes, and after taking a look at her blog, I'm excited for one of my readers to win a Personalized Burp Cloth of their own.

If you want to take a look for yourself, you can go over to Joys of Thread and check out the Bibs and Burp Cloths page.




Here's what Joy had to say:

My name is Joy and I'm owner of a fairly new online store called Joys of Thread. I specialize in fast affordable monogramming. Anyone who grabs my button for their blog gets a freebie! Id love to personalize a burp cloth for the winner with their choice of ribbon, name, and font to be embroidered!

In order to be eligible to win, here's what you have to do:

1- Go on over to Joys blog and become a follower
2 - Come back and leave me a comment letting me know that you're following Joy
3 - Be sure to leave an email or a way to contact you if you win

Contest is open to US Residents. I will draw a winner on Monday the 5th of July, 2010. Good Luck!

{ Happy Homemaker Monday }

<a href="http://familycorner.blogspot.com" title="hhm by jasnicmommy, on Flickr"><img width="150" alt="hhm" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4452676258_fbde55c90f_m.jpg" width ="200" height="150" /></a>

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Still scorching hot, we've hit highs of 112 and 113 already. Lord help us.


Things that make me happy:
Laying on the couch with my pugs


Book I'm reading:
A few books for review


What I'm enjoying on TV:
The Gates - new series about Vampires on ABC, really liked the first episode


On the menu for dinner:
Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chicken


On my To Do List:
Finish preparations for Disneyland this week
Fold and put away laundry
Mop


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
Haven't tried anything new the past week

In the craft basket:

Folk Dolls
Bath Mitts for gifts

Looking forward to this week:
Our trip to California on Thursday. We're heading to Disneyland and then Los Angeles, Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds and Queen Mary Ship. Anyone have any ideas on attractions or anything that we SHOULD see while in the area? Would love some ideas.


Tips and Tricks:
Since we're traveling a lot this month, all my tips and tricks are related. We usually print out a map of where we're going and we let the kids color it in as we travel through the cities and States. Also giving your kids their own camera to take pictures from their perspective, is a great idea, they can later make a scrapbook from their travels.


My favorite blog post this week:
No blog reading last week


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to read anything


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

Lesson learned the past few days:
One I've learned before but am constantly reminded of..........to enjoy every precious moment you have with your family. Being in the USA with all my family back in South Africa has not been easy, so having some of them here for a month has been a blessing.


On my mind:
Our trip to California


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

— 2 Peter 3:9