Trim The Tree Thursday

Britt, The Southern Hostess , is hosting Trim The Tree Thursday!

Check out here site for a lot more links for your holiday viewing pleasure.

Beware: It will put you in the holiday spirit!!!

And while my Christmas stuff is still in the attic, I decided to take inventory of the gift closet. You know all the stuff you buy on clearance after the decorations are taken down and put away. Here are my clearance deals I couldn't live without.



Here is what the closet held. Lets take a closer look, shall we?


I got these great basket for a steal! Normal price on these babies were $15.99. Now I would never pay that as I'm sure you wouldn't either. Even at 50% off I wouldn't but these. Call me cheap, that's o.k. In fact, the better deal I get on something, the more I love it. These ended up costing me, are ya ready? only $1.59 each. Not bad in my book!
I'm going to fill these with homemade goodies and jam.




2 very cute wine bags. Sparkling apple cider is another good choice

for those who don't drink alcohol.



Remember Mr. Happy Spoon? Got 2 more!
Plus some candles and a little salt bowl. How cute!


This is my collection of bottles to house my homemade vanilla extract. I've been on the lookout for bottles all year. Lets hope they don't leak. That wouldn't be nice.



Here are some appetizer plates. Normally they were $24.99 for a box of 4. I bought mine for $3.49 a box. One year a friend gave me a cheese ball with a bottle of wine for Christmas and I enjoyed it so much that I was gonna do that with these plates. Add a cute snowman cheese spreader and you have a great gift. I'm not sure I can part with these plates. I really really like them. :/

So there ya have it. The beginning of my Christmas. This is the start I will build on. Fill those baskets with homemade Christmas treats and I'll have some gifts from the heart. And it wont cost me an arm and a leg this year.
I don't think the retail stores will get much of my money this year.
How about you?

My BBM Package and Taking Care of Buisness!

I got my Blogging By Mail package today! Katie of Cupcake RN sent me a lovely package of fun surprises. She sent a couple packages of silicone cupcake liners and some sprinkles. A cute list maker pad of paper that has a magnet on it that is stored on my refrigerator door. A little fun dessert book that is packed with inspiration and a tea towel to help me with the clean ups. Some monogrammed tissues and of course, what every girl needs, chocolate. Thank you so much Katie. It was a delight to be the recipient of such a fun package.

A big thank you goes out to Dawn of A Home In The Country for awarding me with the Kreative Award. I guess I better start getting Kreative, ya think? :) Thank you Dawn. You are so sweet and I love your blog.


Reeni of Cinnamon and Spice & Everything Nice awarded me this award. Thank you so much for thinking of me Reeni! I treasure it and appreciate it.




April of Abbysweets gave me an award also. The Beautiful site award. Thank you so much April and sorry it took me so long to acknowledge it. But I know, you know how it is.

Gloria of Cookbook Cuisine has given me the Excellent Award and tagged me for a fun food scenario. How fun and thank you Gloria!

Now Carla of Chocolate Moosey has tagged me for 7 random facts. I thought I would combine that with Gloria's tag for the foodie scenario.

You see...,

it's my blog so I can do that. :)

So... with that said..., here we go!

Scenario:

You are stranded on a desert island for an indefinite amount of time. You can bring along five food items and are allowed one sentence to justify your decision. It is an island, so assume plentiful fish, coconuts, and sea salt. Storage is not an issue, as you also have a large solar powered refrigerator.

Gloria is bringing coffee, hamburger (can't have enough beef), spatini, tomatoes, and Kahlua. Here's my list:

1. Pumpkin Spice Torino Syrup. I figure if Gloria is bringing coffee, I'll have some of my favorite flavoring, that way we wont miss a Starbucks.
2. Chocolate. A girl must have chocolate!
3. Cream. I could make coconut cream, pumpkin spiced cream. chocolate cream, and who knows what other kind of cream I would come up with; creamed tuna?
4. Red Wine. I'm sure it would find some useful applications.
5. Beef. It pairs well with red wine and it could be a really long time..

If you would like to play along, tag who you want, and link back to me. Be sure to let me know, I'll come visit!

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Think Pink!

Yesterday was Think Pink day in Redding. This is a day when the community comes together in support of breast cancer awareness. MD Imaging held their annual pink carnation giveaway. I walked with the girls from the YMCA, all dressed in pink, down to get our bags and flower.

It's a huge event with thousands of bags given out each year. From corporate donations to the girl scouts stuffing bags, you can feel the community involvement. It's a drive up event where you don't even have to get out of the car. A whole block is reserved outside the mammogram building for just this purpose.

I walked with a group that consisted of young and old, a breast cancer survivor, a bald lady just ending therapy, a grand baby, and women who hope never to have to go through such an experience. Even the dogs get in on the action. I might be partial to dachshunds but look how cute this little Missy is. She wouldn't look at me for a picture. I believe she is camera shy.




Everywhere there is pink!


This is the information in the bag that is given out. Every year it is a little bit different but always full of cancer awareness information.


Here is my little part in helping breast cancer awareness. This is the contents of my pink box. I have a friend who sells pampered chef. (Hi Channon!) She told me of her idea for supporting the cause. Every year, Pampered Chef comes out with a few items for breast cancer awareness. A few bucks go into research with every purchase of these items. She, and now I, buy these items and put them into "The Pink Box" When our young daughters move out on their own, they will have some pink kitchen supplies and I've helped out a worthy cause. I keep telling the darling daughter I'll also buy her a pink Kitchenaid. :)

That was the color she wanted me to buy when I got mine.

Look, there is Miss Happy Spoon, herself! She is even wairing her pink ribbon. Well, Channon has created a monster. I didn't just stop at Pampered Chef items. If I find a good deal on pink, you know I'll get it.
For the box!


And what is a celebration without cookies you ask? My thought exactly.

So I made some pretty in pink meringue cookies with chocolate chips. Perfect for an occasion like this. Melt in your mouth goodness with chocolate for the cause. What can be better?

I'm serving these up to Ley of Cilantro and Lime

who is doing a Bake for Breast Cancer event.

So I had a mammogram last month.
When was the last time you had the girls photographed?





*Breast cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

*cases of breast cancer in the United states (2007) are estimated to be 178,480 (female); 2,030 (male). Of these an estimated 40,460 (female) and 450 (male) will die from the disease. (National Cancer Institute figures).

*Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, aside from skin cancer.
ht:NBCAM

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A Little Birthday Giveaway!

Meet My favorite utensil, Mr. Happy Spoon.

This spoon hangs out in my utensil crock and

makes me smile every time I look at it.

And he makes me smile when I'm emptying the dishwasher. :)

That's quite the chore.

The orange one is mine. The pink one goes in the pink box.

I'll have to tell you about the pink box one of these days.

One is suppose to be a stocking stuffer but that depends on you.

You see, to celebrate my birthday,

I thought it would be fun to give one away... or two.

So leave me a comment on this post and

I'll enter you in the drawing for a Happy Spoon.

The more comments I get, the more Happy Spoons I'll give away!

Unless I run out. Or the store runs out.

I'll draw the names from all entries on Thursday night at 7:30ish.

If your not linked to a blog, be sure to leave your e-mail with your comment.

Good Luck!

Adopt A Blogger: Meet My Adoptee!

I am excited to see that Kristian of Dine and Dash is hosting the Adopt A Blogger event again, and this time I got to sign up as a veteran blogger. For three months, I have the privilege to mentor a "Newbie" blogger and be available to show them the ropes, I guess you could say.

So without further delay,

I would like to introduce to you;

Brandie of The Purple People Eatery.

Brandie is a mother of four who loves to cook and has been blogging since February. She's got some tasty looking granola bars over there that make me wonder why I've been buying them.
I encourage you to stop by the Purple People Eatery and say "Hi" to Brandy. Make her feel welcomed, wont you?

Taste Like Home Round-up!

The Taste Like Home local goodies exchange event was a big success. Thank you to everyone who participated. I hope everyone enjoyed their goodies and made a new friend. Following is a list of everyone and link to what they received. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and lets go surfing. If you received your package and I don't have your link up, please e-mail me or leave a comment. I'll update the list as I receive them.

Brown interior Arcata, Ca -received

Sleepenbear in the kitchen Pennsylvania

Columbus foodie Columbus, Ohio Received

Always Ina Long Beach, Ca

Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness Rochester NY.

Gumbeaux in the Kitchen San Diego, Ca.

Aprils home cooking Santa Cruz, Ca. Received!

Mitmoi Durham,NC.

Cleaverness in Progress Chicago, Il. -received

Confessions of a former hot girl WA.and OK. Received and received

So...What else, What else, What else? Chicago Il.

Megans cookin Redding, Ca. Received and received

Abby Sweets Knoxville, Tn. -received

My Sweet Cupcakes Paris, Ontario Canada

I'm running to eat Terre Haute, In. -received

A Fridge Full of Food Springfield, Missouri -received

Michelle in Colorado Springs Co. -received

Stephchows Rochester,NY -received

The Clean Plate Club Lee MA. Received

Love Sweet Love Stillwater, OK

Cilantro and Lime Chattanooga, TN -received

Cupcake Muffin Berkeley, Ca -received

Warm Olives Sac, Ca.

Delicious Delights OH. Received

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Taste Like Home Package!

I got home from Bodega bay and received another "Taste Like Home" Package! The "Taste Like Home" event was hosted by april of Abby Sweets and yours truly! You see, I had two partners for this event. One was Abbey who sent me this stuff,

but this package was from Teresa who writes I'm Running To Eat. She sent me goodies from her home state of Indiana.

I got:

Apple Butter-Reminds me of Fall which I'm so ready for.

Peach Preserves-One of my favorite preserves.

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly-I love pepper jelly! In fact it was part of my dinner tonight. More on that later!!!

Sati Babi Sauce-You'll notice some it is already gone. I had to try it! Delicious.

Clabber Girl Corn starch-The factory is right there in Terri Haute, Indiana


There was also Mean Jean's Hot Sauce and Hot Chow Chow from Slaters Farm. I've never tried Chow Chow so that will be fun to try something different. And I'm always willing to try a new hot sauce!
Look at these cute pizza pans! Four individual pizza pans. These are made in a factory right down the street from Teresa. She jogs past it almost every day. How fun are these? They will be perfect because everyone likes a different kind of sauce in our house. The Hubby prefers red sauce, the darling daughter likes white sauce, and I've been kind of on a BBQ chicken pizza kick, which utilizes what else but BBQ sauce. I cant wait to use these.

Thank you Teresa for such a lovely package. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad you were one of my partners!

Want to see what I sent Teresa? Click here!

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I Got Mail That Taste Like Home!

Happy Blogaversary to me.
Happy Blogaversary to me,
Happy Blogaversary to Megan's Cookin,
Happy Blogaversary to me!

It's been a whole year that I've had my blog. I had no idea what I was getting into when I first started. It was really just a place to post my recipes to share with friends. But it has blossomed into many friendships, amazing events, and packages in the mail. :) Yes packages in the mail. Lots of packages! On this bloggy anniversary week, I've gotten several packages.

I've received 2 more chocolate bars from the fine people at TCHO. I cant wait to try these! Being that it gets 1000 degrees here in the summer, I was worried about the chocolate sitting in my mail box when I heard they were sending me more. But it came wrapped in an insulated bad with 4 ice packs. I believe that is care in shipping out chocolate! Thank You TCHO!

Then thanks to Blake Makes, I got some fresh handmade nutrition bars from Youbars , because I'm a Sooper Hero . There were 4 bars to sample. The hubby and I have shared 2 of the bars so far. They are a great nutrition bar and I would love to design my own. You can design your own too, by going to their website. (did I say bar enough in that last paragraph? LOL)



And my best package was from the Taste Like Home local goodies swap. Taste Like Home was hosted by my friend April of Abbysweets and myself. I was one of the lucky ones and I got matched with 2 partners. Double the fun, double the friendship! How lucky am I? Well, lets see how lucky I was!

One of my partners was Abbey from Delicious Delights. She lives in Ohio and sent me lots of delicious delights from her neck of the woods. Let's see here what I got, shall we?

Honey-perfect, I'm almost out of mine from the farmers market!

Apple butter-I think I see crepes in my future

Red pepper jelly-Love this stuff with cream cheese on Ritz

Peach Salsa-Oh Yea!!! I'm pretty excited to try this. Wonder how it would be on fish tacos.

Sweet and Hot mustard-I'm thinking I'll have to try to bake homemade pretzels!

Pumpkin Butter-She must of known pumpkin is my favorite food, flavor, and color!

There was also:

French Market Bean Soup-Sounds perfect for next weeks Bodega Bay camping trip!

Peanut Brittle-It's hard keeping the daughter out of that!

Delicious Dilly Dip mix-Yum!!!

Herb Garden Cheese Spread Mix-Double Yum!!!

Honey Harvest Soap-Smells wonderful!

Honey Cookbook-A delightful little book.

and a visitors guide so I could see where everything came from.

Thank you Abbey for everything. It was big fun opening my box to find such treasures from Ohio. Your package is in the mail! ;)

If you want to see what I sent Abbey, you can go to her site and check it out. But give her package a few days to get there.

And last, I would like to thank you, my readers (both of you!), for sharing my little slice of life with me. I appreciate your friendship and your comments.

Here's to another year! (Insert toasting clinks here)

Taste of Home

Sign-ups closed

One more week left to sign up for the *Taste of Home* Local Goodie Swap! If your interested, details are here.
Sign-ups open until June 27th.

Thanks to the people of the blogs below for participating. If you signed-up, and your name is not below, Please let me know. I hope I didn't miss anyone!

Brown interior Arcata, Ca

Sleepenbear in the kitchen Pennsylvania

Columbus foodie Columbus, Ohio

Always Ina Long Beach, Ca

Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness Rochester NY.

Gumbeaux in the Kitchen San Diego, Ca.

Aprils home cooking Santa Cruz, Ca.

Mitmoi Durham,NC.

Cleaverness in Progress Chicago, Il.

Confessions of a former hot girl WA.and OK.

So...What else, What else, What else? Chicago Il.

Megans cookin Redding, Ca.

Abby Sweets Knoxville, Tn.

My Sweet Cupcakes Paris, Ontario Canada

I'm running to eat Terre Haute, In.

A Fridge Full of Food Springfield, Missouri

Michelle in Colorado Springs Co.

Stephchows Rochester,NY

The Clean Plate Club Lee MA.

Love Sweet Love Stillwater, OK

Cilantro and Lime

Cupcake Muffin Berkeley, Ca

Warm Olives Sac, Ca.

Taste Like Home

Sign-ups closed

Walking around the farmers market, I always see plenty of local area goodies. We have olive orchards and pecan orchards near by as well as honey, jams and spice blends. One of my favorite locals sells a killer mango chutney. When I look around, I see plenty of local staples that say *Taste like Home* to me.
We think these local treasures would be fun to share.

April from Abby Sweets and
Megan from Megan's cookin are hosting
a goodies exchange featuring

local area goodies.
If you would like to join us

in a local area goodies exchange,

send your name, mailing address, e-mail address, and

blog name and blog URL

to either april at aprilsattic@comcast.net

or to me at cookinmeg@gmail.com.

Also let us know if you'll send internationally.
We will match up partners and have a

round up of the participating blogs.

We ask that you post about the goodies you receive

and include links back to

both April and myself.

Sign-ups end June 27th.

So, what do you say?

Want to share your *Taste Like Home* with someone?

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Blogging By Mail!

I went to the mail box Monday and got a surprise. I didn't have just one package sitting in the box, but two! I love this blogging stuff.

The first package I found really stood out with drawings on all side. How cute is that? It was my Blogging by Mail package! It was from Jesika who writes Don't Burn Down The Kitchen.
Can you read the box? It says, "Orange you excited?"
Heck ya, I'm excited! There was animal cookies, assorted teas, cute little bamboo forks, mini baking cups, and a magazine article,
10 Things to Make with a Pint of Ice Cream. Guess what I'll be making alot of?

Next Picture-Hot bowl of tortellini. She is so artistic. Also in my box was some Cracker Jacks, Lightning Bugs Gummy Candy that light up! Hm mm, that one I'm saving for our camping trip. What fun that will be! Also included was a fondant cutter and a tip cleaner. Someone has been reading my blog! A package of some (Fideo?) noodles to go with my little box of tomato paste for a little meal.There were 4 wrapped candy's but only 3 made it to the picture. Hm mm. Wonder who ate my chocolate? KELLIE! She also tried to snag those chopsticks for her hair but I told her, "NO, MINE! "
To wrap up this package Jesika sent one of my favorite flavors, Chia Spice Blend and a bottle of Vanilla Extract.
And the picture is of someone riding a carrot and it says,
"Riding on a Rocket"

Well I'm riding on a rocket today. What fun this event has been.

Thank you Jesika!

Thank you Stephanie of Dispensing Happiness for hosting BBM

And stay tuned for package #2. I have to taste test it!

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