CONTEST inspired by A Christmas Card Tradition

My holiday season begins when the first Christmas cards arrive in the mail.  I place them in the center of our dinner table and we enjoy opening them together and seeing how our family and friends have grown in the past year. Some friends get creative with photoshop tricks while others still send the "annual" letter sharing ALL the highlights of their year.  Overall we receive the traditional photo cards from Snapfish.com, Kodak Gallery...

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Pear, Brie and Pecan Bites

See the love shaped like a pear...see all the other ways I found love. This recipe was begging me to make it.  First I purchased a box of pilsbury crescent rolls from Costco thinking I would be using them to bake over the holidays.  Instead I made Bacon Wrapped Dates - delish. Then I purchased a block of the Rondele double créme Baby Brie but I ate that as my snack for the entire week with some crackers and raspberries. So I had to get...

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Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This year my favorite expression is, "that is BANANAS." So why not make the moistest banana bread for my neighbors and friends?  The recipe I used is on the back of the Chiquita Banana Box.  You will need 2 super ripe bananas, 1 egg, water, and small tins to bake them in.  One box will fill three of the small tins. Cook for 30 minutes and let cool before wrapping.  Tie this FREE PRINTABLE (below) to each package and have fun...

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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramal SeaSalt Buttercream Frosting

Thanksgiving Bunko is an annual tradition of ours.  Instead of playing Bunko, we give the winnings to a longtime friend to help her with her kids disease. The hostess places numbered index cards with questions under each plate as we eat the following dinner.  This year the hostess sent us home with homemade table runners.  (A true blessing since mine was ruined last year from a gravy boat spill.) Each lady prepares her recipe from...

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Duct Tape Zebra Party Theme

Last month we redecorated a room from toddler to tween. The look was inspired by a zebra blanket. So when the birthday party approached the decor was easy: turquoise and zebra and a little Duct Tape.Next we had to find a place for over 60 people to be entertained (translation - not get bored if the party didn't go as planned.) The answer - A roller skate rink (THE RINKS) would be the perfect place. FOOD (must be easy, black, white, blue, or...

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Fitness - Just Own It

My computer broke so I had no other choice than to create a new habit.  I started cleaning out areas of my home and office that I haven't dealt with in over five years (cupboards, filing cabinets, storage baskets.) I was shocked to see all the fitness items I have purchased and NEVER used.This provided me the inspiration for September....to get fit using all the stuff I've ever been sold.  The challenge, use one thing everyday for 30days...

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Spinach - Egg Noodle Casserole (inspired by Rachel Ray)

  This dish was inspired by Rachel Ray's Spinach and Egg Casserole. What's the difference?  I just used nonfat milk instead of whole milk, Jack Cheese instead of Gruyere, and Japanese Panko instead of whole wheat.  Oh yeah,  and 5 cloves of garlic! I'm not sure what Rachel Ray's dish tastes like but this imitation is fabulous.  Add diced chicken to it or serve it as a side dish to any meal. The best part is -  if you...

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Redecorating Inspiration from Toddler to Tween

No more little girl mural.  See the LOVE? Everyone said it would happen.  I just didn't think it would happen to MY little girl.  But she is growing up and I don't know how to control (er I mean stop) it.  The first part of this transition came when we went clothes shopping.  Her eyes would roll every time I showed her the matchy-match outfits off the racks. But then she wanted me to redo her room.  The room...

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Puzzled in America - A CONTEST!

This photo was created with my new favorite app Wordfoto. CONTEST (ends July 31st) Upload a picture of what 4th of July means to you to the 30daysof fanpage. All ages can enter and any medium can be used. The picture with the MOST LIKES (not comments) WINS.   The winning picture will be made into a puzzle.  The "what the 4th of July contest means to me" drawing contest is a tradition we have done for over 40 years.  Every...

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A Perfect 10 Pasta Salad Recipe

My cousin makes the BEST pasta salad consisting of lots of vegetables and seasonings.  I created this pasta version based on her ingredients and kept the measurements to a total of 1.  Does that make sense?  Read the recipe and then it will. 1 16 oz bag of spiral pasta (cooked per package) 1 cup of Cherry Tomatoes (cut in half)1 cup of Pepperocinis (sliced)1 cup of Red Onion (diced)1 Green Bell Pepper (diced) 1 Yellow Bell Pepper...

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Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza

Here is a great dessert to serve at a summer bbq.  I brought this one over for a memorial party in the color scheme of red, white, and blue.  It was gone within 5 minutes.  Here's how to make: SUGAR COOKIE FRUIT PIZZA 3/4 cup of butter, softened (must be softened, not melted in the microwave) 1 cups white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I USE Pure Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste from SurLaTable) 2.5 cups all-purpose flour 1...

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Mother's Day Tradition - CONTEST

Today is Mothers Day - a day when our yearlong sacrifices are rewarded with gifts the kids make in their classrooms.  Macaroni necklaces, colored pictures and cards saying I LOVE YOU MOM scribbled in crayon and edged up along side of the paper. Mothers day necklace 2011 - goes great with the macaroni necklace from 2004. So to honor all the thoughtful gifts my child has made for me...I am going to start a tradition. I will actually wear...

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Asian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Inspired by Craig Strong's Asian Pulled Pork Sandwich - see his recipe http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=12500875 The month of April, I am inspired to think ASIAN, mostly because I am deeply affected by the situation in Japan.  I can not imagine what they are going through.  So while doing research "of all things Japanese,"  I have learned what a beautiful culture they have.  The food, decor and traditions.  A post will...

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You've been Egg'd with a Lunchi

This Easter, egg your neighbors to show them you care.  Make them these delicious sugar cookies and decorate them however you like. Then print up our new holiday lunchi's from Lunchi.org and surprise your neighbors, teachers, or friends with a sweet surprise at their door.  Each Lunchi sheet comes with three sayings to choose from.  Two of them are written by me...You've been blessed and You've been egg'd.  100% of your $2 donation...

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Shamrock Sugar Cookies

Cut out the shenanigans! Stop talking blarney and be sweet on St. Patrick's Day.  For it was the Irish who originally wanted us all to GO GREEN...and how can you not like tiny leprechauns?  Or are they now called little "green" people?     So to honor all little "green" people we started a new tradition this St. Patrick's Day...we "shamrocked" the neighbors and the teacher.  I baked the same sugar cookie recipe I do...

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30daysof...survival gear

The devastation in Japan is tragic.  Various times throughout my day I stop and think, right now I have the blessing of feeling secure while thousands are without shelter, food, and life.  We know our life can change in an instant but until we see it, this reality doesn't apply.  However this reality does apply today to the citizens of Japan and the victims families. So if you don't appreciate your current circumstances, please know,...

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