The holidays are upon us!

I realize some people have been preparing for the holidays for several weeks already (some even longer!) but I am just now getting into holiday recipes! The low carb diet will have to wait (my New Year's resolution I guess ) because I don't think any of these recipes are carb friendly. :)

I'm thinking about dividing the recipes into two or three recipes for each post. I guess that really depends on how many recipes I find that look to die for! I'm sure many will be dessert type recipes since I love to bake!

On to the recipes ............ I'll start off with breakfast. I found this little number at "tomatoesonthevine-velva.blogspot.com"

French Toast Souffle

Ingredients:

1 bakery loaf of butter crusty bread-10 cups cut into 1-inch cubes

8 (ounces) low-fat cream cheese, softened

8 large eggs

1-1/2 cups milk

2/3 cup half and half cream

1-1/4 cups maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions:
1.  Place bread cubes in a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan.

2.  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Stir in milk, half and half, 1/2 cup of the maple syrup, and vanilla until mixture is smooth.  Pour cream cream cheese mixture over the bread; cover, and refrigerate overnight.

3.  Remove souffle from refrigerator, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

4.  Bake uncovered, for 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  Pour remaining 3/4 cup maple syrup over souffle, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Serve warm.

For questions, please see disclaimer page; copyright, Mary Brown

$25 Costco Winner!!

Congratulations to Ann W. entry #87, for winning the $25 Costco Wholesale GC!.

Thank you to everyone who participated!!

Also, don't go very far because there will be another giveaway coming up very soon!


For questions, please see disclaimer page; copyright, Mary Brown

Do you love the taste of a chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven? The way it breaks apart with melted strings of gooey chocolate and a glass of cold milk? Maybe a warm cookie with a side dish of vanilla ice cream? If you're saying yes ..... yes ...... YES, but hate to bake or just don't have the time ........ you're in luck!

The Kroger Family of Stores has made their Truly Awesome line of products with you in mind. Thanks to real, wholesome ingredients, these cookies tastes like you made them yourself and if you microwave one or two for a few seconds for a "fresh from the oven" feel, everyone else just might think you did!

Free of added preservatives and artificial colors, these cookies are almost twice the size of other chocolate chip cookies and come eight delicious cookies to a pack. Not just chocolate chip cookies though. The Truly Awesome product line also includes:

The Truly Awesome Low Fat Yogurt Tubes and Cups
The Truly Awesome Macaroni & Cheese
The Truly Awesome Frozen Broccoli & 4 Cheese

with more options coming soon!

Try these for yourself! With the Kroger Quality Guarantee, you will be glad that you did!

I received free product through Bzzagent to review, however, the opinions expressed are 100% my own.
For questions, please see disclaimer page; copyright, Mary Brown

Hill's Science Diet Dog Food Review

This is Shelby. We got her when she was barely six weeks old. She started getting picky about her food when she was around eight months old I think. Since then, we've tried everything it seems! Different brands of food, wet food, crunchy food, food with wet and crunchy food ....... you name it! We switched to a dry food with crunchy bits added brand and, while she didn't seem excited, she at least would eat.

Then I was asked to review Hill's Science Diet. Folks, if you watch the video, you can see what she prefers straight from her!! PS There is no coaxing from us at all in the video! It's not just in this video either. This is what she does every time she's given a choice between the two foods, lol. And no wonder! Did you know that Hill's Science diet includes fresh chicken as the 1st ingredient? It also contains fruits and vegetables including cranberries but does not contain corn or artificial colors, impressive! It's the kind of well balanced diet that you are going to feel great about serving to your pet every single mealtime. You can visit PetMD to get more information about the nutrients in Hill's Science diet and to learn why they are so important to the health of your dog. The people at Hill's Science diet are so sure you and your pet will happy, they are offering a free bag rebate! It's a win for you and for your pet!

I received a free bag of Hill's Science Diet dog food through Bzzagent for review, however, the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.
For questions, please see disclaimer page; copyright, Mary Brown

Coupons!

I just put up the new coupons, check them out under the coupon tab!

For questions, please see disclaimer page; copyright, Mary Brown

$25 Costco Wholesale Card Giveaway

New for the holidays! $25 Costco Wholesale Card! Participate here. 

New $25 Giveaway!

Okay good people, I am in the works of starting a new giveaway. It will be my own again, no sponsors. It's going to be a rafflecopter giveaway for a $25 Costco card!

I am in school also and am about to get ready for finals, so, it may take about a week to get it going, but I will get it going!

Be on the look out!


For questions, please see disclaimer page; copyright, Mary Brown

Wow

I can not believe it has been three weeks since I've last posted! I knew it had been a little bit, but, three weeks?

One thing that has kept me away was trying to get going on a low carb diet. It was the new, hot item several years ago, but I didn't jump on the bandwagon then. For one thing, I wasn't trying to lose weight. But also because I'm the kind of person who will sit back and wait for either the good reviews or the bad reviews before I follow the crowd. :)

I took my time doing research on low carb eating, then researched menus and recipes so I would be prepared instead of going gung ho and then stopping because I ran out of ideas of what to eat.

So, I will probably be adding low carb recipes to my blog now, easier for me to keep up with them that way too! I may even try to "low carb" the recipes I've already added, at least the ones I can anyway.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

For questions, please see disclaimer page; copyright, Mary Brown

Colder Weather Recipes

  A bowl of delicious, warm stew on a cold winter evening? The only thing I can image would be cozier is eating a bowl of delicious, warm stew while sitting in front of a fire, an afghan tucked around your feet, on a cold winter evening. :)

Of course, that could be just my romantic fantasies of a cozy winter night too since I live in middle Georgia and we rarely get a winter bad enough for all that. But still ............

Anyway, I love beef stew no matter what the temp is outside, but I definitely make it more in the colder months. Usually I like to serve it with a crusty garlic bread and maybe a small side salad. If no salad, then I'll do an apples and cinnamon type dessert.

In celebration of colder weather coming soon, ( it's still in the mid to upper 70's here) I thought I'd put up a few stew recipes, all from Betty Crocker.

Classic Beef Stew (pictured above)
Prep Time- 25 min, Total Time- 3 hr 45 min, Servings- 4

Ingredients:

1

tablespoon vegetable oil or shortening

1

lb boneless beef chuck, tip or round roast, cut into 1-inch cubes

3

cups water

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/8

teaspoon pepper

2

medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces

1

large unpeeled potato, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1

medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1

medium stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

1

small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

1

teaspoon salt

1

dried bay leaf

1/2

cup cold water

2

tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1. In 12-inch skillet or 4-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes. Add beef; cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides.
2. Add water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes or until beef is almost tender.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients except cold water and flour. Cover; cook about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf.
4. In tightly covered jar or container, shake cold water and flour; gradually stir into beef mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute until thickened.

Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Stew (Betty Crocker)

Prep Time- 5 min, Total Time- 9 hr 35 min, Servings- 6

Ingredients:

2

lb beef stew meat

1

can (28 oz) Muir Glen® organic diced tomatoes, undrained

1

cup frozen small whole onions (from 1-lb bag)

1

teaspoon chili powder

1

package (1 oz) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix

1

can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed

1

can (11 oz) Green Giant® Mexicorn® whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained

1. 1. In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix beef, tomatoes, frozen onions and chili powder.
2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 9 to 11 hours.
3. With whisk, stir in taco seasoning mix. Stir in black beans and corn. Increase heat setting to High; cover and cook 15 to 30 minutes longer or until thickened. 

I know one isn't a beef stew, but it looked so yummy and it is still a cold weather stew. 

Slow Cooker Creamy Herbed Chicken Stew (Betty Crocker)

Prep Time- 15 min, Total Time- 6hr 35min, Servings- 2

Ingredients:

1

cup baby-cut carrots

1

Yukon Gold potato, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1/4

cup chopped onion

1/4

cup sliced celery

1/2

teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/8

teaspoon salt

1/8

teaspoon pepper

1/2

pound boneless skinless chicken thighs

3/4

cup Progresso® chicken broth (from 32-ounce carton)

1/2

cup snap pea pods

1/4

cup whipping (heavy) cream

2

tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1. Place carrots, potato, onion and celery in 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-quart slow cooker.

2. Sprinkle half of the thyme, the salt and pepper over vegetables in slow cooker. Place chicken on vegetables. Pour broth over top.

3. Cover and cook on low heat setting 6 to 7 hours or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (180ºF) and vegetables are tender. Add pea pods; cook 5 to 10 minutes or until crisp-tender.

4. Remove chicken and vegetables from slow cooker to serving bowl, using slotted spoon. Cover with aluminum foil; keep warm. Increase cooker to high heat setting. Mix whipping cream, flour and remaining thyme; stir into liquid in cooker. Cover and cook about 10 minutes or until thickened. Pour over chicken and vegetables.

Beautiful Northern Lights!

I love seeing videos of northern lights, so beautiful!! Since most of the videos are in time lapse modes, I always wondered what the lights might look like if you lived there and were just sky gazing. I finally found this video today on Vimeo.com. Enjoy!


Northern lights HD from YASUSHI TANIKADO Photography on Vimeo.

Burberry Fragrance Sample Arrived!

I was so pleased with my Burberry sample that arrived today! Did you order yours from the freebie link I put up? I only added the link and ordered mine a couple of weeks ago and it arrived today, very impressive. The best part?? It's an actual vial of fragrance! That's right, not one of those swab gauzes, I really don't like those but can't complain when I get them for free, huh? :)

Hurry and get your sample before they run out! 

Pillsbury Recipe

Chili Cheese Dog Crescent - under the recipes tab.

Burt's Bees Review

I have been given the opportunity to try out and review a couple of products from the Burt's Bees sensitive line as a Bzzagent, and if your skin is as sensitive as mine, this line was made with you in mind. If I use just any product on my face, I end up with patches of dry,  irritated, and itchy red areas; usually on my upper lids and the high spots of my cheekbones. 

I have been using the facial cleanser and the daily moisturizing cream, both with cotton extract, for about three weeks now and I have to say I am very happy with them. My face is always left feeling moisturized without feeling greasy and not once have I had any problem with irritation or redness. I have used a very high SPF lotion on my face everyday for the last year or so and the Burt's Bees Daily Moisturizing Cream does not contain SPF, so if I were to recommend any improvement at all, it would to be to add SPF. However, I just wait about 5 - 10 minutes, then use my SPF lotion. 

The new line of Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions for Sensitive Skin products are formulated to cleanse and moisturize without causing redness or irritation. The line contains Cotton Extract to soften and help replenish the skin's outer layer. It's fragrance free and hypo-allergenic and is Dermatologist and Allergy tested. It can be found in most mass retailers, drug stores, grocery stores, and natural health food stores nationwide. To learn more about Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions for Sensitive Skin, please visit their Facebook page. You can "like" Burt's Bees, get a coupon for $2 off, and post your thought on the new line.

Disclaimer: The Facial Cleanser and Daily Moisturizing Cream have been provided by Burt's Bees through Bzzagent for me to review. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Deal of the Week

Looking for an unusual gift for that "someone who has everything" that won't break the bank? How about their own personalized photo canvas portrait? You can turn their favorite photo into a beautiful lasting memory, suitable for framing and gift giving and it's as easy as 123! Oh, and you can add effects to it too such as sepia or black and white.

This deal of the week is a $49.99 value! Get a free 8 x 10 canvas or get 40% off toward any size canvas and free shipping. I can't wait to get started on a canvas portrait of my granddaughter for my son for Christmas. Not only will he be in love with it, my granddaughter will be so proud of it too, double win. :)

Coupons

New coupons have been posted for the week. There are some pretty good ones too. Grab them here.

Disney sale for a limited time, hurry!

Cars PJ Pals & Plush now $8 each at Disney Store. Hurry this offer is valid for a limited time only!


Online Exclusive: Cars PJ Pals & Plush now $8 each at Disneystore.com.

Free Shipping with the purchase of any Disney Parks Authentic Merchandise at Disney Store with Promo Code: PARKSFREE.

Tink's Treasure of the Week: Cars 2 Remote Control Vehicles Now Only $25 at Disney Store.

Personalized Fleece Throws now 2 for $20 at Disney Store.

Personalized Fleece Throws now 2 for $20 at Disney Store. Shop Now!

Updating

I'm working on updating and fine tuning my pages. I want it to be a great site that I can be proud of as well as a site that people want to "bookmark" and visit over and over. 

I'm also working on another giveaway that I will be hosting. I had so much fun with the last one and would love for this one to be even better! Look for it to be in the next couple of weeks or so.  

I just added another batch of coupons today! It includes coupons for Nature Valley Granola Thins, Post Great Grains Cereal, Betty Crocker Cookie Mix, and more.

I just wanted to point out one thing ....... if any of you are Redbox users, (we are) there is a coupon for Totino's Pizza in there too. It is $1.00 off when you buy 4 pizzas. I love this coupon for a couple of reasons. First, Totino's is my kids favorite snack pizza, and second, 4 pizzas at our local store was $5.52, minus the $1.00 coupon equals $4.52. If you pick up the boxes with the Redbox picture on it, inside is a rental code that is worth $1.00. Four pizzas and four free movie rentals for $4.52. Now that's a bargain!!

Freschetta Giveaway

Freschetta Makes a Difference GIVEAWAY!!

One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a coupon good for one free Freschetta pizza, 21oz or larger and two (2) pairs of Freschetta Proud to Support Pink earphones: one for the winner and one to share with a pal or family member! Winner chosen on 10/28 US Only

Play Doh Giveaway 10/29

US Only
Play Doh Twirl 'n Top Pizza Shop Review and Giveaway! Enter at Mommy and Me Giveaways
ENDS 10/29 11:59 EST

Congrats!

Congratulations to dawns41, entry # 58, winner of the $10 Prepaid Visa card!!!! 


Thank you to everyone who participated! More giveaways to be coming soon, so stay turned!

Baked Mac and Cheese!

Martha Stewart's Perfect Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Part of the beautiful rainbow we saw a few nights ago. It had been raining off and on for two days and then, a little before sundown, we went outside to witness this gorgeous sight. It was actually a double rainbow, but the picture doesn't show that very well. The bottom of this rainbow was the clearest, brightest, most colorful I have ever seen!  

Snickers Cheesecake Recipe .......... YUM!

Milk Chocolate Graveyard Cake 

Perfect Caramel Apples

Coupons!

I have just added a boatload of coupons! Check 'em out! Let me know if you find any without a working link, thanks!

Holiday Time!

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but it's not too early to think about the up-coming holidays! I love this time of year with all the lights and decorations, the holiday songs and TV specials, and I especially love the excuse to do all the special holiday baking!

Have you thought about giving personalized gifts this year? I was so tired of being stressed wondering if I was giving something that was really needed or wanted, or if I was just wasting my time and my too hard to come by money. Of course I always got the response, "Oh, I like it, thanks." but, I always wondered.

Last year I got smart though! Since 90% of the people on my gift list are dads or gr-parents, I ordered calenders and coffee mugs from Vistaprint! They have so many personalized gift options: photo books, ornaments, (any newborns that need a "My 1st Christmas" ornament?) tote bags, T-Shirts, etc. The design tool to create your masterpiece couldn't be easier to use and the prices are great!

I'll be ordering from Vistaprint again this year. No standing in long lines, no using expensive gas to drive from store to store, just sitting in front of my computer creating beautiful gifts that I know will be appreciated for years to come! I think this year will be totes for the women and long sleeve T-Shirts for the men. :)

Two New Tabs

I added two new tabs today, the "freebies" tab and the coupons tab. I am slowly working on filling them up. Check 'em out!

Scooter's Spaghetti

Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup Recipe from Giada!

Memphis Beale Street Burger on the Food Network

Prepaid Visa Giveaway! ENDS 10-15

                  ***** OVER *****

To celebrate my brand new blog, I am having my very first giveaway ....... I am giving a $10 prepaid Visa card away to one lucky winner!

Don't forget to leave a comment for each entry. If the action is worth 2 entries, leave two separate comments. Please make sure that I do have your email address. Only first bullet-ed item is mandatory, the others are optional for additional entries.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, 18 years old or over. Winner will be chosen by random.org. Giveaway will be end October 15, 2011 at 9:00 pm Eastern time. Winner will be chosen soon thereafter. If winner does not respond to my email within 48 hours I will have to choose a new winner. Good luck!

• MANDATORY Entry: Follow me via Google Friend Connect, please leave GFC name (1 Entry)
• Subscribe by email and confirm (2 Entries)
• Like "A Trucker's Wife in GA" on Facebook, leave your Facebook name (2 Entries) 
• Follow me on Twitter and leave Twitter name (1 Entries) 
• Tweet about giveaway and leave link (2 Entries)
• Leave a blog comment (2 Entries) Just say something nice :)
• Blog about giveaway (3 Entries)
• Grab my button and post on your blog, leave link (5 Entries)

What do you think?

Starbucks says it wants to allow donations from it's millions of visitors to the almost 7,000 company owned stores to stimulate the U.S. job growth. Starting November 1st they will be collecting donations of $5 or more and they say 100% of the donations will go toward loans for firms and organizations that can add jobs or stem job losses. Read more about it here. What do you think? Good idea? Will you be donating?

Donating

I did something a couple of days ago that I've always wanted to do and never have, donated blood. Hubby and I donated as a last minute thing because we were walking into Walmart and there sat the donation van, it was fate! I still have a pretty decent sized bruise, she said something about small veins, but so worth the feeling of knowing we were helping people!

New Wheels!

I don't have to worry about how I'm going to get to school anymore! We were quite happily surprised that we were able to get a 2012 Nissan Sentra for 2.9%, no down, and for the same payments we were already making.  Of course it added about three years to a car loan (we were down to two years on the Durango) but hey, it is a 2012 and it should last me for a long time!

Hubby is coming home!

Well, hubby is on his way home, for a week! That could be a good thing or a bad thing, lol. J/K I love him to death but sometimes after a few days of being home, I guess he gets bored and starts being a pain. Hanging around in the kitchen while I'm trying to make dinner, flipping channels right when I'm just getting into something, finding projects for "us" to do. Don't you just love those kind of projects? :D

Things are slowly starting to come together! I will try to have one or two of my own giveaways going real soon. When that happens, I will be letting everyone know!

Darned Economy

So, my husband and I did some in-depth research today and if we can't find a car better on gas, I can't go to school. The school (nursing) is so far away, gas prices are so high, and my vehicle is so bad on gas it would cost around $179 a week for me to attend school. I was so stoked about going too because it would mean a big boost to my earning potential!

Oh well, I've always believed everything happens for a reason ............ what do you think?

Shoedazzle Giveaway ENDS 10-21

PS Beauty Blog is hosting another great giveaway! One lucky lady will win a gift code that entitles you to choose anything from their site; a pair of shoes, a handbag, or even some fab accessories of your choice. ($39.95 value) ENDS 10-21 (US)

Softsoap Giveaway! ENDS 10-29

Head on over to PS Beauty Blog to enter for a chance to win! Two lucky winners will be randomly chosen to receive a 2-pack of Softsoap Bar Soap from the NEW fragrance collection. ENDS 10-29 (US)

I’m still trying to figure all of this blogging thing out, lol. I’ve seen others blogs that look borderline professional and I hesitate to even invite people to look at mine until I’ve done more work! 

One thing I’d like to go ahead and say is that I am planning on adding giveaways to my blog as soon as I’ve figured things out a little more and actually have some followers. I would like to add some of my favorite recipes as well as some interesting photos my husband and I have taken while on the road.

All in good time, it’s still a work in progress.

My first post! How exciting!

For a long time, everything I knew about blogging came from the movie Julie & Julia. I loved the movie, but I don't think I'm brave enough to tackle making a dish from an entire recipe book in a year, sorry. :)

A little about me:

My husband drives a truck over the road and even though it can get annoying sometimes, (like when I get a sudden urge to go have a nice dinner out and everyone I know is busy) for the most part, I'm fine with it. Dinner is whatever I feel like making, I watch whatever I want on TV, and I come and go as I please. In fact, I have to make major adjustments whenever hubby is home because he is a remote control and a bed covers hog, lol.

I'm excited to finally have a blog of my own though and I can't wait to meet some new people. Any questions or any suggestions any of you may have, feel free to leave a comment!